“His Name Shall Be Called After Me”

Brant Gardner

This prophecy by Joseph of Egypt identifies Joseph Smith Jr., son of Joseph Smith Sr., as the future seer. From Lehi’s perspective, this prophecy of the repeated names continues the blessings to Joseph of Egypt and some continuation of the line of Joseph, son of Lehi. The names symbolically link the past Joseph and the future Joseph through the current Joseph, a symmetry that Lehi would have found beautiful. However, modern readers overlook it because Joseph Smith’s identity is so well known that it is easy to overlook Lehi’s perspective.

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

References