The Lord Was with Joseph

Elisha and the Children: The Question of Accepting Prophetic Succession

Fred E. Woods

BYU Studies 32, no. 3 (1992)

The youths who taunted Elisha (2 Kings 2) were probably not small children but were teenagers or near twenty years old; the name “Baldhead” may well indicate that the youths were calling Elisha a usurper of prophetic authority. Such a charge needed to be met with serious consequences, and they incurred the vengeance of God.

Four Readings from Genesis 37–41

Kristian Heal

Old Testament Reflections (2026)

How should we read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37–41? This essay examines four distinct approaches—ancient Jewish narrative expansions, early Christian typology, Latter-day Saint restoration readings, and contemporary biblical scholarship—to reveal the richness and complexity of scripture across time.

Genesis 37–50: Joseph: The Power of Preparation

Church Educational System

Old Testament Student Manual, Genesis–2 Samuel: Religion 301 (2003)

This study guide points out several themes in these chapters: Note the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 48:5–11. Joseph is a type of Christ. Jacob gave blessings to each of his twelve sons and gave Joseph “one portion” more than to his brothers. Jacob’s days were not “evil” but rather sorrowful. Study of 1 Nephi 19 and 2 Nephi 3 shows the role of Joseph in Book of Mormon prophecies.

Joseph as a Type of Christ in Syriac Literature

Kristian S. Heal

BYU Studies 41, no. 1 (2002)

Early Christians found parallels between the life of Joseph and the life of Christ. A table in this article points out fifty-six comparable events: Joseph and Jesus were shepherds, both were especially beloved by their fathers, both had their brothers or close ones seek to kill them, and so forth. Finding such parallels puts Christ at the heart of the Joseph story. This article also lays out a short chiastic message of Joseph’s life, centering on Joseph being exalted in Egypt.

Quiet Slumber: Revelation through Dreams

Ryan Jenkins

Religious Educator 12, no. 1 (2011)

God has communicated with people through dreams and visions, such as Joseph’s receiving dreams and interpreting others’ dreams. This article includes a list of dreams in the Old Testament, teachings of modern prophets regarding dreams, and a caution regarding interpreting dreams.

The Story of Judah and Tamar

Ben Spackman

Religious Educator 11, no. 1 (2010)

The narrative in Genesis 38 is filled with contrast, irony, and wordplay. Though its insertion into the Joseph story seems random, the presence of several literary themes common to Genesis 37 and 39 (extending further into the Joseph story in some cases) demonstrates the deliberate and skillful placement of this episode. First is the theme of deception involving a piece of clothing. Also, Judah progresses from selfishness (offering tokens of himself as a pledge to pay a prostitute) to selflessness and redemption in the Joseph story (offering himself as a pledge for the good of his family, redeeming Benjamin and sparing Israel pain). In portraying this episode in Genesis 38, we also come to understand how Judah loses the birthright, which passes to Joseph.

Eternal Marriage and Family in the Old Testament

Michael A. Goodman

The Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament (2009)

Although the Old Testament may fail to teach marriage in the covenant didactically, the message is illustrated powerfully throughout the narrative. The examples of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob further reinforce the importance of marriage in the covenant. To understand the sacred literature of the Jews, it is essential to understand that Israel’s relationship to their God is seen as a marital relationship.

Four Readings from Genesis 37–41

Kristian Heal

Old Testament Reflections (2026)

How should we read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37–41? This essay examines four distinct approaches—ancient Jewish narrative expansions, early Christian typology, Latter-day Saint restoration readings, and contemporary biblical scholarship—to reveal the richness and complexity of scripture across time.

Genesis 37–50: Joseph: The Power of Preparation

Church Educational System

Old Testament Student Manual, Genesis–2 Samuel: Religion 301 (2003)

This study guide points out several themes in these chapters: Note the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 48:5–11. Joseph is a type of Christ. Jacob gave blessings to each of his twelve sons and gave Joseph “one portion” more than to his brothers. Jacob’s days were not “evil” but rather sorrowful. Study of 1 Nephi 19 and 2 Nephi 3 shows the role of Joseph in Book of Mormon prophecies.

The Story of Judah and Tamar

Ben Spackman

Religious Educator 11, no. 1 (2010)

The narrative in Genesis 38 is filled with contrast, irony, and wordplay. Though its insertion into the Joseph story seems random, the presence of several literary themes common to Genesis 37 and 39 (extending further into the Joseph story in some cases) demonstrates the deliberate and skillful placement of this episode. First is the theme of deception involving a piece of clothing. Also, Judah progresses from selfishness (offering tokens of himself as a pledge to pay a prostitute) to selflessness and redemption in the Joseph story (offering himself as a pledge for the good of his family, redeeming Benjamin and sparing Israel pain). In portraying this episode in Genesis 38, we also come to understand how Judah loses the birthright, which passes to Joseph.

Four Readings from Genesis 37–41

Kristian Heal

Old Testament Reflections (2026)

How should we read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37–41? This essay examines four distinct approaches—ancient Jewish narrative expansions, early Christian typology, Latter-day Saint restoration readings, and contemporary biblical scholarship—to reveal the richness and complexity of scripture across time.

Genesis 37–50: Joseph: The Power of Preparation

Church Educational System

Old Testament Student Manual, Genesis–2 Samuel: Religion 301 (2003)

This study guide points out several themes in these chapters: Note the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 48:5–11. Joseph is a type of Christ. Jacob gave blessings to each of his twelve sons and gave Joseph “one portion” more than to his brothers. Jacob’s days were not “evil” but rather sorrowful. Study of 1 Nephi 19 and 2 Nephi 3 shows the role of Joseph in Book of Mormon prophecies.

Joseph as a Type of Christ in Syriac Literature

Kristian S. Heal

BYU Studies 41, no. 1 (2002)

Early Christians found parallels between the life of Joseph and the life of Christ. A table in this article points out fifty-six comparable events: Joseph and Jesus were shepherds, both were especially beloved by their fathers, both had their brothers or close ones seek to kill them, and so forth. Finding such parallels puts Christ at the heart of the Joseph story. This article also lays out a short chiastic message of Joseph’s life, centering on Joseph being exalted in Egypt.

Lessons from the Old Testament

Ronald A. Rasband

Ensign 36, no. 3 (Mar. 2006)

Joseph’s response to Potiphar’s wife is as powerful now as it was then: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” After this experience, Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison. However, the Lord continued to bless him because of his righteousness.

Four Readings from Genesis 37–41

Kristian Heal

Old Testament Reflections (2026)

How should we read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37–41? This essay examines four distinct approaches—ancient Jewish narrative expansions, early Christian typology, Latter-day Saint restoration readings, and contemporary biblical scholarship—to reveal the richness and complexity of scripture across time.

Four Readings from Genesis 37–41

Kristian Heal

Old Testament Reflections (2026)

How should we read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37–41? This essay examines four distinct approaches—ancient Jewish narrative expansions, early Christian typology, Latter-day Saint restoration readings, and contemporary biblical scholarship—to reveal the richness and complexity of scripture across time.

Quiet Slumber: Revelation through Dreams

Ryan Jenkins

Religious Educator 12, no. 1 (2011)

God has communicated with people through dreams and visions, such as Joseph’s receiving dreams and interpreting others’ dreams. This article includes a list of dreams in the Old Testament, teachings of modern prophets regarding dreams, and a caution regarding interpreting dreams.

The Joseph Smith Hypocephalus . . . Twenty Years Later

Michael D. Rhodes

unpublished manuscript (Invalid Date)

A detailed examination of the characters in Facsimile 2 of the book of Abraham.