A Prophet Named Joseph

2 Nephi 3:15 - "And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation."

President John Taylor - "We all look upon Joseph Smith as being a Prophet of God. God called him to occupy the position that he did. How long ago? Thousands of years ago before this world was formed. The Prophets prophesied about his coming, that a man should arise whose name should be Joseph, and that his father's name should be Joseph, and also that he should be a descendant of that Joseph who was sold into Egypt...He had very great and precious promises made to him by the Lord. I have heard him say on certain occasions, 'You do not know who I am.' The world did not like him. The world did not like either the Savior, or the Prophets; they have never liked revealed truth; and it is as much as a bargain for the Saints even to bear the truth."

President Spencer W. Kimball - "When theologians are reeling and stumbling, when lips are pretending and hearts are wandering, and people are 'running to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord and cannot find it' when clouds of error need dissipating and spiritual darkness needs penetrating and heavens need opening, a little infant is born. Just a few scattered neighbors in a hilly region in the backwoods even know that Lucy is expecting. There is no prenatal care, nor nurses; no hospital, no ambulance, no delivery room. Babies live and die in this rough environment and few know of it. Another child for Lucy! No trumpets are sounded; no hourly bulletins posted; no pictures taken; no notice is given; just a few friendly community folk pass the word along. It's a boy! Little do the brothers and sister dream that a prophet is born to them; even his proud parents can little suspect his spectacular destiny. No countryside farmers or loungers at the country store, nor village gossips even surmise how much they could discuss, did they but have the power of prophetic vision. 'They are naming him Joseph,' it is reported. But not one knows, not even his parents, at this time, that this infant and his father have been named in the scriptures for 3500 years, named for and known to their ancestor Joseph, the savior of Egypt and Israel. Not even his adoring mother realizes, even in her most ambitious dreaming and her silent musings, that this one of her children, like his ancestor, will be the chief sheaf of grain to which all others would lean and the one star to which the sun and moon and the other stars would make obeisance."

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Transcript

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A daily podcast dedicated to drawing closer to the Savior to the powerful truths found in the Book of Mormon. Each episode, we focus on one verse that helps us walk more faithfully in his footsteps. Today we turn to one of the most remarkable prophecies in the Book of Mormon. In 2 Nephi 3, verse 15, the prophet Lehi, speaking to his son Joseph, recalls an ancient promise given to Joseph of Egypt. He prophesied that in the latter days the Lord would raise up a choice seer from his lineage, a prophet named Joseph, the son of a Joseph. As a reminder, Leif Lehi is reading the words of the prophet Joseph of Egypt, which are written on the brass plates. Here's the verse. And his name shall be called after me, and it shall be after the name of his father, and he shall be like unto me, for the thing which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation. This prophecy is clear and direct. It points to the prophet Joseph Smith, whose life and mission were known and prepared by God thousands of years before his birth. His call was not an accident of history. It was part of God's plan of salvation. Today we'll consider what it means that Joseph Smith's life was foreseen, how his humble beginnings reveal God's ways, how his mission was resisted, and finally how this matters for us in our discipleship today. Elder Legrand Richards stated the following back in April of nineteen seventy. During this conference, eulogy and compliments have been paid to the prophet Joseph Smith and his successors. I think of what the prophet Lehi said to his son Joseph in the wilderness, that the Lord promised Joseph who was sold into Egypt, that in the latter days he would raise up from his loins a prophet whose name would be Joseph, and that his father's name would be Joseph. He said he would bring forth his word. He brought us the Book of Mormon, the doctrine and covenants, the pearl of great price, and many other writings. As far as the records indicate, there has never been a prophet upon the face of the earth, who has given us as much revealed truth as we've obtained through this prophet whom God raised up in our day. Wow, what an astounding fulfillment. Joseph Smith did bring forth God's words, restoring scripture and truths that had been lost for centuries. This teaches us that God keeps his promises even across millennia. When Joseph of Egypt uttered his prophecy, he trusted in a future he would never see with his mortal eyes. Yet God's word did not fail. This trust that Joseph of Egypt had, we can have the same trust. God's promises to us, personal and eternal, will be fulfilled, even if their timing stretches beyond what we expect. This reminds me of my patriarchal blessing. I am reading a small quote from it that applies to everyone receiving their patriarchal blessing. Quote, The promises given in this blessing will come to you in this life or in the eternity, for this is an eternal blessing. I ran across this quote from President Spencer W. Kimball, which paints a vivid picture of the obscurity of Joseph's birth. When theologians are reeling and stumbling, when lips are pretending and hearts are wandering, and people are running to and fro seeking the word of the Lord and cannot find it, a little infant is born. Just a few scattered neighbors in a hilly region in the backwoods even know that Lucy is expecting another child for Lucy. They are naming him Joseph. But no one knows, not even his parents, at this time, that this infant and his father have been named in the scriptures for thirty five hundred years, named for and known to their ancestor Joseph, the Savior of Egypt and Israel. God's mighty work often begins quietly. No one in that small frontier town could have guessed what destiny rested on that baby boy. This pattern teaches us to never underestimate what God can do with small beginnings, including in our own lives. When our effort seems unnoticed or insignificant, God may be quietly working out something of eternal consequence. Out of small things proceedeth that which is great. President John Taylor testified of Joseph Smith's divine call. We all look upon Joseph Smith as being a prophet of God. God called him to occupy the position that he did. How long ago? Thousands of years ago before this world was formed. The prophets prophesied about his coming, that a man should arise whose name should be Joseph and that his father's name should be Joseph. I have heard him say on certain occasions, you do not know who I am. The world did not like him. The world did not like either the Savior or the prophets. They have never relied, revealed truth. Joseph Smith was foreordained before the world began, and yet like the prophets before him, he faced rejection and persecution. If we are true to God's word, we too may face opposition. But following Christ and his prophets have never been about popularity. It is about truth and salvation. But what does all this mean for us? It reminds us that God's pattern has not changed. Just as He raised up Joseph Smith, He continues to call prophets today. Their teachings are heaven's answers for our time. Like the world in Joseph's day, the world today often resists or mocks prophetic counsel. But those who listen, trust, and follow are led to safety and peace. This week we can ask ourselves, Am I giving heed to the living prophet's words as that they were God's own? We may not always understand every instruction immediately, but just as Joseph Smith's prophesied mission unfolded in power, so will God's purposes through our current prophet. The story of Joseph Smith's prophecy and calling is more than a history. It is a pattern. God makes promises, fulfills them in his own time, and invites us to trust his chosen servants. Here's today's challenge. Take one teaching from President Nelson or any recent prophet and live it intentionally. Write it down, act on it, and reflect on what changes in your life as you align more fully with God's prophet today. Thank you for listening to Seek This Jesus. I hope this message helps you draw a little closer to the Savior Jesus Christ. Please don't let this podcast be your only scripture time today. I encourage you to open your scriptures because when you study God's word personally, the Spirit will teach you things no podcast ever could. Feel free to come back tomorrow for another verse and message to help you keep focused on Jesus Christ. Until next time, keep speaking,