“I Give Commandment That He Shall Do a Work for the Fruit of Thy Loins”

Brant Gardner

Text: Lehi attributes the prophecy about Joseph Smith to Joseph of Egypt. Thus, it was contained on the brass plates but was lost to our Old Testament as we have received it. Lehi describes two branches of the lineage of Joseph of Egypt. He and his family are clearly one branch, the “branch broken off.” The other branch will produce the seer who will become the instrument of redemption to Lehi’s descendants. Even though Lehi pronounces this blessing on his son Joseph, all of his sons were descendants of Joseph of Egypt. It is a promise of broad scope given to Joseph because of his name, but to all because of lineage.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 2

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