Joseph and Judah

Abraham was promised that his posterity all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Judah's line brought forth the Bible and the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ. We also know that Abraham had 12 sons. What were the contributions of the other 11.

"But there shall be many-at that day when I shall proceed to do a marvelous work among them, that I may remember my covenants which I have made unto the children of men, that I may set my had again the second time to recover my people, which are the house of Israel;" 2 Nephi 29:1

What is the marvelous work? It is the gift of the Book of Mormon and the re-establishment of the Abrahamic Covenant. In the above verse, "at that day" refers to today or this dispensation. Also in the above verse, God talks about recovering His people a second time. We all know the story of the Exodus, when God delivered His people from Egypt. What is the second time? It is now, when He will recover all twelve tribes of Israel again. We all have the blood of Israel in our veins, therefore the covenant applies to all who wish to accept Jesus Christ and participate in the gathering. How then do we participate?

"And also, that I may remember the promises which I have made unto thee, Nephi, and also unto they father, that I would remember your seed; and that the words of your seed should proceed forth out of my mouth unto your seed; and my words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the earth for a standard unto my people, which are the house of Israel;" 2 Nephi 29:2

Nephi and others recorded God's Word at great effort upon the plates of gold with the promise that they would help people in the last days. These words would "hiss forth unto the ends of the earth", meaning some would carry this work to the four corners of the earth to warn the people of the earth of their responsibilities. A standard is a rallying or gathering point. So under the Book of Mormon, we gather to spread the word that God lives, commands us to repent, invites us to come unto Him, and hopes that we will accept our birthright.

"And because my words shall hiss forth-many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible." 2 Nephi 29:3

In this reference, Gentile means those living in the latter-days. Sometimes it means those not of the House of Israel. Sometimes it means non-believers. Those that say there is no more Bible, do not know God. They think God does not speak to men today. But He does.


"But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travels,a nd the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles? O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, min ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people." 2 Nephi 29:4-5

All through history the Jews have bee oppressed and persecuted, hated, and even hunted. However, they were chosen by God to fulfill his promises to Abraham. Without their contributions to God's work, we Gentiles, we not of the house of Judah would have been lost. Nevertheless, our ancestors and countrymen of the old world have been the author of their trials,troubles, and tribulations.

"Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews? KNOW YE NOT THAT THERE ARE MORE NATIONS THAN ONE? Know not that I, the Lord your God have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?" 2 Nephi 29:6-7

Abraham had twelve sons, which Judah was one. All Abraham's sons were partakers of the covenant except the ones who were replaced by Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh. All were given the blessing.

"Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nation shall run together also. And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time hence forth and forever." 2 Nephi 29:8-9

I liken this to teenagers and young adults, who will not hear their parents. Parents long to share knowledge and wisdom from a lifetime of experience, but youth will not hear and murmur that they do not want any more lectures. The Book of Mormon is a another witness from a second nation of the divine mission of Jesus Christ and the eternal grace and mercy of God the Father. Judah in the old world and Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) in the new, each separated by an impenetrable wall (great oceans) each kept records of their dealings with God. When the nations "run together" we find that they worshiped the same God. This gives additional witness to the truthfulness that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin mother, lived, served, performed miracles, atoned for sin, died on the cross, and rose again. This gives additional witness of God the Father.

(to be continued)