Recently, a dear niece of mine asked me if I could recommend a book about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a sister-in-law of hers whose child had married a Latter-day Saint. I finally got around to sending her some information a few weeks ago. As I thought of her request, I've thought that there may be some among my readers who would also like to understand more about my faith. I want to begin our journey with the Book of Mormon for it is "the keystone of our religion." [1]When I want to learn something new, it helps for me to see the big picture. I want to do that for you: place the Book of Mormon in time and space and sacred history. I will try to include many Biblical references to aid in the task of creating perspective. This has involved prayerful and careful research. I think you will find it is worth the read.
Joseph in Egypt
Thanks to Andrew Lloyd Webber,
more people know about Joseph and his coat of many colors through music than through
reading Genesis 39 -50. You will
remember how Joseph’s older brothers were jealous of him and sold him to some
Ishmaelites who sold him as a slave in Egypt.
In the end, Joseph found favor with pharaoh and rose to a position of
power, second only to pharaoh himself.
Through his influence, Joseph was able to bring his father’s entire
family to Egypt and save them from the famine.
Joseph’s father, Jacob (also
known as Israel) died in Egypt. Before
his death, he blessed his 12 sons. Two of those father’s blessings were of particular
importance. Judah was promised that the
Messiah would be born of his descendents.
Joseph was told that he would be a “fruitful bough” growing “over a wall”
(Genesis
49:22). I will tell you more about these blessing later because they are
important to an understanding of the Book of Mormon.
[1] Joseph Smith, Jr.
Text copyright June 2013 Gebara Education
Picture of Joseph Smith from www.adamcollingsenterprises.blogspot.com
Pictures of Joseph sold into Egypt and Jacob blessing his sons from www.lds.org
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