Why Look to “the Stick of Joseph” as a Standard

Joseph, Steward of the Land of Zion

A New Jerusalem

Jacob and Moses were not the only prophets who spoke of Joseph inheriting a land at the ends of the earth—a land distant from Abraham’s covenant land.[151] Another remarkable prophecy regarding Joseph’s land was preserved in the Book of Mormon by God’s design and for His purposes.[152] It is found in the record of Ether, which was abridged by Moroni after the death of his father Mormon.

Ether was the last of the prophets of a people called the Jaredites.[153] His ancestors had been led by the Lord to the same land where Lehi and his family had been led, arriving more than 1,500 years before Lehi. The Jaredites came to this continent at the time the Lord scattered mankind over the face of the earth by confounding their language—an event summarized in Genesis 11.[154]

Although Ether lived on a different continent from Abraham and many hundreds of years after him, Ether prophesied of Abraham and his extended family.[155] He spoke of his grandson Jacob and his household (the house of Israel), and of how the posterity of Jacob’s son Joseph would come to inherit the same land Ether’s people had long inhabited before their final demise.[156]

Like other prophets of God, Ether saw the days of Christ and was shown the new heaven and earth to come.[157] Of particular interest to the present study, Ether was shown how a remnant of Joseph’s posterity would build a holy city unto the Lord. It would be a new Jerusalem like the Jerusalem of old, but it would be on the land where the Book of Mormon would be unveiled in these latter days.

Ether 6:4,5 – Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ; and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land—and he spake also concerning the house of Israel and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come—after that it should be destroyed, it should be built up again a holy city unto the Lord; Wherefore, it could not be a New Jerusalem, for it had been in a time of old, but it should be built up again and become a holy city of the Lord; and it should be built up unto the house of Israel.

In giving Joseph the stewardship of the precious land spoken of by Moses, [158] God had given Joseph the stewardship of the land where this new Jerusalem would stand, the very land reserved for a holy city of God.[159] By giving Joseph this stewardship, the Lord showed mercy to his posterity, a mercy typified by the mercy God had shown Jacob in bringing him into Egypt under Joseph’s care.[160]

Ether 6:6,7 – And … a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for the which things there has been a type—For as Joseph brought his father down into the Land of Egypt, even so he died there; Wherefore, the Lord brought a remnant of the seed of Joseph out of the Land of Jerusalem, that He might be merciful unto the seed of Joseph, that they should perish not, even as He was merciful unto the father of Joseph, that he should perish not.

At the end of his life while living with his family in Egypt, Jacob told his son Joseph of God’s great mercy to him. He spoke of how God had fed him all the days of his life and of how God had redeemed him from all evil.[161] In keeping with His promises to Jacob, the Lord extended this same mercy to a remnant of Joseph’s posterity by placing them in a remote, precious land where they could prosper as a bough by a well to build a holy city unto Him.[162]

Ether 6:8 – Wherefore, the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built up upon this land, and it shall be a land of their inheritance; And they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; And they shall no more be confounded until the end come when the earth shall pass away.

Joseph’s stewardship of the land reserved for this holy city involves more than God being merciful to his posterity, however. The promise of a new Jerusalem on Joseph’s land typifies the mercy God is extending to all faithful souls born of faith like Abraham.[163] And everyone who is born of the Spirit of truth in Christ—all the children of God—will find true rest and precious wisdom there.[164]

II Nephi 8:18-20 (see Isaiah 2:2-4) – And it shall come to pass in the last days when the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say: Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

Thus, in Ether’s prophecy about Joseph’s posterity building a new Jerusalem, we see Joseph serving as a type for Abraham’s Redeemer. We also see the faithful remnant of Joseph’s heirs—those who will build this holy city to the Lord—as a type of all the children of Jesus Christ. While his remnant is a natural branch of the house of Israel, they represent all people of faith in every nation.

Galatians 3:26-29 – For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

A Goodly Person, and Well Favored

Jacob’s son Joseph exhibited many of the personal traits taught by Jesus Christ. For instance, he was faithful in both the least of his allotted duties and the greater stewardships he was later assigned.[165]

Luke 16:10-12 – He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

While the last part of this scripture passage is stated in the negative, Joseph showed the reverse is true as well. Another principle clearly illustrated here is that if individuals are faithful in managing the riches of their Master, they will be given their own riches. Joseph faithfully managed Potiphar’s and Pharaoh’s lands and possessions under God’s direction. God, therefore, gave Joseph his own land where a faithful remnant of his children would prosper by keeping His commandments.[166]

Genesis 45:8 – So now it was not you [Joseph’s brothers] that sent me [Joseph] hither [to Egypt], but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 33:13-17 – And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, and for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, and for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, and for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren. His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.

Joseph had grown in faith and in stature where God had sent him.[167] Though carried captive to Egypt as a slave, he conducted himself in such a manner as to become known as a wise and prosperous steward before God and his fellowman.[168] The example of his faithfulness most directly connected with the subject of this chapter is his refusal to commit adultery with the wife of his Egyptian master Potiphar.

Genesis 39:7-9 – And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; there is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

In this passage, we see the strength of Joseph’s character and his determined resolve. Of truth Joseph was, as it was said of him, a goodly person, and well favored.[169] He was pure in his heart toward God and man. Like Moses after him, Joseph refused the pleasures of sin for a season. In so doing, was he not also esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt like Moses?[170]

Hebrews 11:24-26 – By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Since it was Moses who wrote of Joseph’s fidelity in Genesis 39, I am confident he was greatly influenced and encouraged by Joseph’s example in choosing not to sin against the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his fathers. This, I understand, is the distinctive characteristic of Joseph’s faithful remnant, those who are his true sons and daughters. Like Joseph, they are pure in their hearts toward God and each other because of God’s manifest love for them and their love for Abraham’s Redeemer.

I Nephi 5:130-133 – He ruleth high in the heavens, for it is His throne and this earth is His footstool. And He loveth them which will have Him to be their God; Behold, He loved our fathers, and He covenanted with them, yea, even Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and He remembered the covenants which He had made; Wherefore, He did bring them out of the Land of Egypt …

I John 4:16-19 – And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.

By their hope to be like Abraham’s Redeemer—by their hope to be what God created them to be in the beginning—Joseph’s faithful remnant have purified themselves and will yet purify themselves.[171]

I John 3:2,3 – Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Moroni 7:53 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love which He hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of His Son Jesus Christ, that ye may become the sons of God, that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him—for we shall see Him as He is—that we may have this hope, that we may be purified even as He is pure. Amen.

The Coat of Many Colors and the Overseer’s Garment

Joseph’s faithfulness is clearly on display in the scriptural record. But how exactly did he come to know about Jesus Christ? And why did he choose the reproach of Christ over the pleasures of sin for a season in Egypt? The answer is found in Abraham’s faith and his willingness to believe God and to command his children to obey Him by faith.[172]

John 8:56 – Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Genesis 18:17-19 – And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

As Hebrews, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their families lived much of their lives in remote regions away from city life (with a notable exception of Lot and his family[173]). They spent considerable time alone with each other, which permitted them to pass on their history and beliefs to succeeding generations. This also allowed them to readily teach the commandments of God to their children.

With this history in mind, recall how Jacob made Joseph a special coat of many colors—the best a shepherd of the wilderness could provide in his day.[174] This coat was a token of the rich heritage of faith Joseph’s forefathers had given him. That is, it stood for a great deal more than Jacob outfitting Joseph as his favored son, the one he loved more than the rest of his children.[175]

It is my understanding that Jacob fashioned Joseph’s coat to exhibit the sign of the rainbow of Genesis 9 to represent the everlasting covenant God made with Noah and all living creatures.[176] It also revealed Jacob’s confidence in Abraham’s Redeemer based on the visions and promises he and his forefathers had received from God, especially that of being redeemed of all evil.[177] In turn, the coat served Jacob in directing his household to Jesus Christ and the glory of His coming kingdom.[178]

Jacob’s fashioning this coat and Joseph’s wearing it showed they were Abraham’s children by faith as well as by lineage. Being Abraham’s grandson and great-grandson, respectively, they had heard firsthand of how he had seen the day of Jesus Christ,[179] and they too came to believe in the promised redemption from evil granted in Abraham’s Redeemer.[180] For, did not the Lord truly say Abraham would command his household to keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgement?[181]

As one of Abraham’s children by lineage and by faith, Joseph obeyed his instruction to keep God’s commands. Joseph proved his faithfulness to them by how he behaved while serving as the overseer of Potiphar’s household. In this capacity, Joseph exhibited justice and judgment in all his actions, even when faced with the temptation to commit adultery. He kept God’s commands foremost in his thoughts and thereby overcame sin according to the integrity he had been taught by his forebearers.

Both the coat of many colors and the overseer’s garment were eventually taken from Joseph. Yet, the loss of these two garments served God’s purposes in revealing the unswerving character He had been forming within Joseph. Though the garments had stood for two differing estates into which Joseph had been placed by God, both worked for good in his life.[182]

The loss of the coat of many colors: In one aspect, the coat came to symbolize the forgiveness God had forged within Joseph’s soul toward those who forcibly took it from him. Joseph’s forgiveness was consistent with the everlasting covenant his coat represented. By forgiving his brothers of their treachery against him, Joseph typified the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. Although Jesus’ brethren had Him stripped of His garments and placed on a cross, our Lord endured their ill treatment for the joy that was set before Him.[183] For He had come into the world to bring repentance and forgiveness to mankind. Thus, by forgiving those who had stripped Joseph of his coat, out of envy and contempt, Joseph typified the life of Christ within his own life and received like joy in the love of God his Savior.
The loss of the overseer’s garments: Losing this prestigious garment of the world would come to epitomize, in part, the loyalty God had forged within Joseph for the promises He had made to his fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joseph would readily give up the overseer’s garment to flee from sin rather than to retain a compromised position in Potiphar’s house. Joseph chose not to serve mammon over God. Rather, he kept his eye single to God’s glory by taking no thought for his life in this world.[184] He let fall behind him the overseer’s garment and the status that came with it so he might retain his integrity in God’s eyes. Joseph’s fleeing from adultery was a foreshadowing of a remnant of his posterity fleeing mystery Babylon to build a holy city, a new Jerusalem. Like Joseph, his true sons and daughters will turn away from the large and spacious building in Lehi’s vision to make their abode at the tree of life where they may dwell in the midst of God’s love forever.[185]

Had not Joseph first worn the coat of many colors with which his father had clothed him, he could have easily fallen prey to the temptation to turn from the Lord at the time he was clothed with an Egyptian overseer’s garment. But God chose Joseph for His own purposes and led him through the refiner’s fire to prepare Joseph to be the steward of the precious land of the new Jerusalem.

A Place Which I Shall Prepare, An Holy City

Responding to God’s calling on his life, Joseph followed the lead of Abraham’s Redeemer and denied himself unrighteous thoughts and deeds to fulfill God’s promises to him and his forefathers.[186] In taking this course of action, Joseph exhibited the stellar character of a steward God had forged within him; and by it he would become a faithful steward of the land upon which the city Abraham sought will stand in these latter days; a city whose builder and maker is God.[187]

Hebrews 11:9,10 – By faith he [Abraham] sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

In God’s timing, the city Abraham looked for will come down from heaven to join with the holy city built by Joseph’s faithful posterity.[188] This city which will come from above is Enoch’s city, the city of righteousness he built before God took him unto Himself.[189]

Genesis 7:21-25 IV – And the fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord which was upon his people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish. And the Lord called his people, Zion, because they were of one heart and of one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there were no poor among them. And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days, that he built a city that was called the city of Holiness, even Zion.

Genesis 7:67-72 IV – And the Lord said unto Enoch, As I live, even so will I come in the last days, in the days of wickedness and vengeance, to fulfill the oath which I made unto you concerning the children of Noah. And the day shall come that the earth shall rest. But before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, and also the earth. And great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve; and righteousness will I send down out of heaven, and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men. And righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine own elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare; an holy city, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion; a New Jerusalem. And the Lord said unto Enoch, Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there; and we will receive them into our bosom; and they shall see us, and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other; and there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years shall the earth rest.

The glory of God that rests upon Enoch’s city will come to rest upon the holy city Joseph’s posterity will build, for it will be the Lord’s dwelling place, His abode, on the earth.[190] Note also how it is the Lord who will prepare the place for this city. All who seek to establish it and to build it up must remember, therefore, that unless the Lord builds this city, all who labor to build it will labor in vain.

Psalm 127:1 – Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Plainly stated, the substance and evidence of this city cannot come by the will of men or through their innovations. It must come of the true faith of the gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ.[191]

Hebrews 11:1,5,6 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. … By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Said another way, this city must be built by the faith which is rooted and grounded in God’s words spoken by the Good Shepherd.[192]

D&C 63:1a-3c – Hearken, O ye people, and open your hearts, and give ear from afar; and listen, you that call yourselves the people of the Lord [as opposed to God calling them His people], and hear the word of the Lord, and his will concerning you; yea, verily, I say, Hear the word of him whose anger is kindled against the wicked and rebellious; who willeth to take even them whom he will take, and preserveth in life them whom he will preserve; who buildeth up at his own will and pleasure; and destroyeth when he pleases, and is able to cast the soul down to hell. Behold, I, the Lord, utter my voice, and it shall be obeyed. Wherefore, verily I say, Let the wicked take heed, and let the rebellious fear and tremble; and let the unbelieving hold their lips, for the day of wrath shall come upon them as a whirlwind, and all flesh shall know that I am God. And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation. Verily, I say unto you, There are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning, but, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe. Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God.[193] Yea, signs come by faith, unto mighty works, for without faith no man pleaseth God: and with whom God is angry he is not well pleased: wherefore, unto such he showeth no signs, only in wrath unto their condemnation.

Upon the return of Enoch and his people, they will join with Joseph’s faithful posterity in building up the kingdom of the Lord upon the whole earth. Through their union, God’s kingdom will be fully established on earth starting in the New Jerusalem, and from there it will spread into all the world.

D&C 65:1f – wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come, that thou, O God, may be glorified in heaven, so on earth, that thy enemies may be subdued; for thine is the honor, power, and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

To the glory of God, Enoch’s city and the holy city built by Joseph’s remnant will be established on the earth in accordance with and to the fulfillment of the prayer Jesus taught His disciples.

Matthew 6:9-13 – After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

These two cities will become one city known as the Lord’s Zion, a city whose citizens are pure in heart and who dwell together in righteousness.[194]

D&C 94:5a-5c – And now, behold, if Zion do these things, she shall prosper and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible; and the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say, Surely Zion is the city of our God; and surely Zion can not fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there, and he hath sworn by the power of his might to be her salvation, and her high tower; therefore verily thus saith the Lord, Let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion, THE PURE IN HEART; therefore let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn…

As noted in the next section, it will also be a city of refuge for all who seek the Lord in these perilous times leading up to His return in glory.[195]

In fine, by the two garments that were taken from him, Joseph has become forever identified with the Lord’s Zion. His coat of many colors was a sign of the everlasting covenant and the promise of the return of Enoch’s city. The overseer’s garment represented how Joseph and his faithful remnant have and will cast behind them the things of this world for the sake of the kingdom of God.

They Shall Learn War No More

Having lived during the latter days of Noah and Shem, Abraham most certainly had heard of Enoch and the city he had built by preaching God’s words faithfully in righteousness. Is it any wonder then that Abraham would seek this city after it had been taken to heaven?[196] For in this special city, called Zion, lived a people who dwelt together in peace and true equality.

Genesis 7:23-25 (D&C 36:2h-3a) – And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them; and Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days that he built a city that was called the city of Holiness, even ZION.

Although Abraham had not found this city in his lifetime, his grandson Jacob would receive promises pertaining to the land upon which Zion would return. These promises, Jacob said, were above those given to his progenitors. He then passed the knowledge and birthright of these promised blessings on to his son Joseph, which Moses later conferred on Joseph’s seed. These were truly great promises because the attendant blessings and power God placed on Enoch’s city will return upon this land.

Genesis 49:26 – The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Deuteronomy 33:13-17 – And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, and for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, and for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, and for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren. His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.

Through the unveiling of the Book of Mormon in these latter days, the Lord has assured us that Joseph does indeed have true sons and daughters who will build a holy city on the precious land Jacob and Moses blessed for Joseph and his posterity. The characteristics of this city are well described by the following prophecies:

Isaiah 2:2-4 (II Nephi 8:18-20) – And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Micah 4:1-3 – But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Notice how each prophecy plainly states nations shall no longer learn war once the Zion of our God is established. By these prophecies, we are to understand that the holy city built on Joseph’s land will not be built by warfare or for warfare. If it was built by the means and for the purposes of war, it would not be a holy city built to the Lord, the Prince of Peace.[197]

All who live in this new Jerusalem will be peaceable and equitable, living in accordance with prophecies such as these:

Isaiah 11:6-9 – The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 65:24,25 – And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

Hosea 2:18 – And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.

While wars may rage all around this holy city and throughout the world as it is established and built up, those who do not want to take up arms against their neighbor must flee to Zion for safety.

D&C 45:13a-15c – And it shall come to pass, among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor, must needs flee unto Zion for safety. And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. And it shall be said among the wicked, Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible, wherefore we can not stand.

The Endowment of Joseph’s True Sons

This chapter on Joseph’s stewardship of the land of Zion would not be complete without considering a particular prophecy from Micah. At the time Jesus Christ ministered to Lehi’s posterity following His resurrection and ascension into heaven, He taught them this prophecy and commanded that it be included in their sacred records for future generations.[198]

Micah 5:8-15 – And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people, as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep; who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots; And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds; And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers. Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands. And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee; so will I destroy thy cities. And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.

When teaching Micah’s prophecy to this righteous branch of the house of Israel (Jacob’s household), Jesus told them it would be fulfilled in a future generation by their people according to His will.

III Nephi 9:50-52 – And the Father hath commanded Me that I should give unto you this land for your inheritance. And I say unto you that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive after that they have scattered My people, then shall ye which are a remnant of the house of Jacob go forth among them; And ye shall be in the midst of them, which shall be many; And ye shall be among them, as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through, both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver…

If the new Jerusalem built on Joseph’s land is to be a city of peace, not of war, how will a remnant of Joseph’s posterity tread down the Gentiles according to Micah’s prophecy? Like the remnant of their faithful forebearers, they will be warriors who wield the word of God as a sword. They will be as the righteous Lamanites of old who hunted the secret bands to preach the gospel to them.

Helaman 2:164 – And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gaddianton; And they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of them, Insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites.

In keeping with the word of God, their ministry will come of the power of the Lord’s Spirit of truth.

Zechariah 4:6 – … Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Once these true sons of Joseph are converted, there will be those among them who would rather lay down their lives for their brethren than see them leave this life without a hope in Christ.[199]

I received the foregoing understanding after I completed a study letter on September 10, 2020, based on Micah 5:8-15, titled Why Micah’s Prophecy About Horses and Chariots Matters Today.[200] Although I had concluded that study and was working on others, my thoughts kept being drawn back to it. As I continued to pray about it, I was assured that the true sons of Joseph by lineage and faith will in fact be endowed with God’s Spirit for preaching the gospel of Christ’s kingdom to all nations.

Then, on December 11, 2020, I received the impress that verses 8 and 9 of Micah 5:8-15 pertain to a remnant of Jacob preaching the gospel, but that the remaining verses, 10 to 15, are the responsibility of the Lord. That is, He will take the actions spoken of in these verses by bringing His judgments upon Joseph’s land, which will be similar to the judgments described in III Nephi 4:6-52.

The sons of Joseph who are endowed with power from on high will go forth among the people of this land and to countries abroad preaching repentance and faith on the name of Jesus Christ. They will harvest souls in the nations through preaching the gospel in power and wisdom.[201] No one will be able to resist them sharing their convincing testimony of the truth born of the power of Christ.[202]

These true sons of Joseph will go forth in the might and power of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. As his young lions, they will be endowed by the Lion of the Tribe of Judah to bring Him this harvest of souls. At the same time, the Lord will cut off their adversaries by His power as the Lamb of God, as the One who conquered death and the grave,[203] whose worship is depicted in Revelation 5.

There is one thing however that will disqualify anyone from this work: sexual immorality, including adultery and fornication, whether imagined or real. Such thoughts and actions keep a person from being endowed with the Lord’s Spirit. As stated in the law given to the church in this last kingdom, adultery leads to the Lord withholding His Spirit from priesthood and members of the church alike.[204]

D&C 63:5a-5c – And verily I say unto you, as I have said before, He that looketh on a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit adultery in their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear: wherefore, I, the Lord, have said that the fearful, and the unbelieving, and all liars, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, and the whoremonger, and the sorcerer, shall have their part in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Verily I say, that they shall not have part in the first resurrection.

This is especially concerning for priesthood, those who are called to minister by the Holy Spirit.[205] For without the Lord’s Spirit, the power of godliness will not be manifested in their ministry.[206]

God’s words cannot be broken or return to Him void.[207] Therefore, everyone who commits adultery in his or her own heart will not have the Holy Spirit. Where adultery goes unchecked by a refusal to repent, God’s Spirit is withheld.[208] From the scriptural record, it is clear that adultery in the hearts of men and women has been a confounding factor that has hindered the church in the past, and it continues to hinder its progress to this day because it deprives everyone involved of God’s Spirit.[209]

James 4:1-4 – From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not; ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war; yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.[210]

When will Zion be established then on Joseph’s land? When will the endowment of power come upon the Lord’s priesthood as promised? When there are true sons of Joseph who willingly follow his lead by refusing to commit adultery in their hearts and in their flesh. Such men will receive a mantle of power and authority to accomplish the Lord’s work in these latter days.

In other words, the endowment to build Zion awaits the pure in heart. It awaits those who are ready and willing to be made holy by the Holy Ghost to build a new Jerusalem, a holy city, unto the Lord.

I Nephi 3:187-189 – And blessed are they which shall seek to bring forth My Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; And if they endure unto the end, they shall be lifted up at the last day and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; Yea, whoso shall publish peace, that shall publish tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be!

Only those men who refuse to lie with another man’s wife will prosper in this work on Joseph’s land. All others will be cut off from God’s presence.[211] Instead of receiving of the goodness of God’s light and love, they will live out their lives absent His Spirit of truth. If, however, they repent and come to Christ, who knows but that the Lord may restore to them the years that the locusts have eaten.

Joel 2:12-18 – Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

Like Joseph, everyone must consider adultery to be a profound sin against God.[212] Those who are tempted with it will be wise to remember Joseph and how he refused Potiphar’s wife’s advances, declaring by his actions that he was determined not to sin against God. For any priesthood member who does not heed the Lord’s warnings regarding adultery is truly unwise and will not be among those who are endowed with power from on high.

Recall then how it is written in scripture, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.[213] All must therefore repent. Each man must observe God’s command to repent and embrace the truth of God’s words or he cannot have a place or a portion in our Lord’s Zion among the pure in heart.[214]

II Nephi 7:23-26 – Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion—both Jew and Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female—shall perish; For they are they which are the whore of all the earth; for they which are not for Me are against Me, saith our God; for I will fulfill My promises which I have made unto the children of men, that I will do unto them while they are in the flesh.

What my brethren are you doing today for Zion? How are you promoting a pure heart within yourself and each other in preparing for the return of Zion and her King? Your thoughts and actions matter. For the scriptures are sufficiently plain on the topic of adultery and fornication. Where they are found in the hearts of priesthood especially, the Spirit of the Lord must be absent and the endowment withheld according to His edict recorded in Doctrine & Covenants 42:7d,e and 63:5a‑c.

When the Lord Brings Again Zion

In this chapter, we have considered certain aspects of Joseph’s life and how they typified the life of Jesus Christ.[215] Both men were faithful stewards in whatever position or circumstance God placed them. Like Jesus, Joseph submitted to all that his heavenly Father saw fit to inflict upon him.[216] In so submitting to God, Joseph typified Jesus Christ for an example to his posterity.[217]

Joseph had faithfully discharged his duties over both Potiphar’s and Pharoah’s households. Because he was faithful over other men’s riches, the Lord rewarded Joseph with a precious land of his own at the ends of the earth according to the blessings of Jacob and Moses. It is upon this precious land that a holy city, a new Jerusalem, will be built unto the Lord, and it will be to this city the Lord will bring Zion again upon the earth.

Isaiah 52:7-12 – How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.

From Zion, true sons of Joseph by lineage and by faith will be sent throughout the earth to preach repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. They will preach the fullness of the gospel recorded in the plain and precious book their forefathers prepared for them.[218] They will go forth in the power and strength of God among the warring nations of the earth to bring them the gospel of the kingdom, the good news of the Lord’s Zion. All who are willing to come may come to learn of Jesus and His ways.

Joseph’s coat of many colors will again serve as a title of liberty founded in the everlasting covenant, around which a remnant of Joseph’s posterity will again rally. The faithful will remember anew how Chief Captain Moroni lifted this banner in remembrance of Joseph’s coat and of Jacob’s words relating to it, and they will gather to it according to Moroni’s challenge to uphold the cause of Christ.

Alma 21:54-60 – …Behold, we are a remnant of the seed of Jacob, yea, we are a remnant of the seed of Joseph whose coat was rent by his brethren into many pieces; Yea, and now behold, let us remember to keep the commandments of God, or our garments shall be rent by our brethren and we be cast into prison or be sold or be slain; Yea, let us preserve our liberty, as a remnant of Joseph; Yea, let us remember the words of Jacob before his death, for behold, he saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph was preserved and had not decayed. And he saith: Even as this remnant of garment of my son hath been preserved, so shall a remnant of the seed of my son be preserved by the hand of God and be taken unto Himself, while the remainder of the seed of Joseph shall perish, even as the remnant of his garment. Now behold, this giveth my soul sorrow; Nevertheless, my soul hath joy in my son because that part of his seed which shall be taken unto God. Now behold, this was the language of Jacob; And now, who knoweth but what the remnant of the seed of Joseph which shall perish as his garment are those which have dissented from us, yea, and even it shall be us, if we do not stand fast in the faith of Christ.

Remember, Jesus Christ is meek and lowly of heart and will therefore inherit the earth.[219] From the foregoing discussion, is it not also evident that Joseph’s true sons and daughters of faith will be meek and lowly in heart and will thus inherit the land allotted to them according to Jesus’s words? Though many people will attempt to wrest control of Joseph’s land from him and his posterity, the King of kings, and Lord of lords will be merciful to them. The Lord God of Israel will gather them back to Joseph’s land so they may live together in peace in the light of His love.

Isaiah 2:2-5 – … O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Jeremiah 16:14-16 – Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

Rest assured, Joseph’s coat will again be a title of liberty to those who seek to establish Zion in these last days. It will yet unit all who are like chief captain Moroni, the one who first raised Joseph’s coat in the cause of liberty. When it does, the devil will not have power on the earth for a thousand years.

Alma 21

132 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man—He was a man of a perfect understanding, yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed, a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country and his brethren from bondage and slavery,

133 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God for the many privileges and blessings which He bestowed upon His people, A man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people,

134 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ—And he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights and his country and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.

135 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary;

136 Yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword, except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.

137 And this was their faith—That by so doing, God would prosper them in the land, Or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God, that He would prosper them in the land, Yea, warn them to flee or to prepare for war, according to their danger,

138 And also that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing the Lord would deliver them. And this was the faith of Moroni,

139 And his heart did glory in it—Not in the shedding of blood, but in doing good—in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity.

140 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been and were and ever would be like unto Moroni, Behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever, Yea, the devil would never have any power over the hearts of the children of men;

141 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, Yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, Yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God.

142 Now behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moroni, For they did preach the word of God, And they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words.

143 And thus they went forth; And the people did humble themselves because of their words, insomuch that they were highly favored of the Lord. And thus they were free from wars and contentions among themselves…

In the next chapter of this study, we will consider the new covenant the Lord has made with Ephraim and with Judah—the ancient northern and southern kingdoms of Israel—and how He is forming them into one nation through this covenant of peace as foretold by the prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and others. At the heart of this movement of God is Mormon’s abridgment.

[151] Genesis 49:22-26 & Deuteronomy 33:13-17; For Bereans, Bible references are from the King James Version (KJV); Book of Mormon references are from the Restored Covenant Edition (1999 Edition); and Doctrine & Covenants references are from the RLDS D&C.

[152] I Nephi 2:99-102 & I Nephi 5:223,224 with Words of Mormon 1:9-12 & Book of Mormon Title Page 1:5

[153] Ether 1:1-8 with Ether 5:1-5 & Ether 6:1-13

[154] Ether 1:7 with Book of Mormon Title Page 1:5, Omni 1:39 & Mosiah 12:22; cf. Genesis 11 with Genesis 1 & I Nephi 5:126,127

[155] Ether 1:4 with Ether 5:1-5

[156] Ether 1:1-35 with Ether 3:94, Ether 4:90-114 & Ether 6:1-3

[157] cf. Ether 6:9 with Ether 6:4,5, Jacob 5:19 & Alma 4:9,10 and with Revelation 19:10 & Revelation 21:1-8

[158] Deuteronomy 33:13-17

[159] Ether 6:1-13 with Omni 1:35-39

[160] cf. Amos 5:15 & Zechariah 10:6 with Ether 6:6,7

[161] Genesis 48:15,16

[162] Genesis 49:22-26 with Deuteronomy 33:13-17; see also Psalm 1:1-3 & Jeremiah 17:7,8 with Jacob 3:29-153

[163] cf. Galatians 3:7-29 & Romans 4:3-25 with Hebrews 11:8-19

[164] I John 2:29, 1 John 4:7 & I John 5:4 with 1 Peter 1:23 & Romans 10:17; cf. James 3:13-18 with II Nephi 14:1-8

[165] Genesis 39:1-6 & Genesis 41:14-44 with Psalm 105:17-22

[166] cf. Revelation 2:26,27 & Revelation 3:21 with Matthew 25:14-30

[167] cf. Genesis 39:2-6, Genesis 45:4-18 & Genesis 50:19-22 with Luke 2:52 & Isaiah 7:14-16; see also Mosiah 1:120 with Romans 8:28

[168] Genesis 37:18-36, Genesis 39:1-6 with Genesis 45:4-18 & Psalm 105:16-24; see also Genesis 50:19-22 & Romans 8:28; cf. Matthew 25:14-46 with Psalm 1:1-3; see also II Nephi 2:5 & II Nephi 3:1

[169] cf. Genesis 39:6 with I Nephi 1:64 & I Nephi 5:122

[170] Further consider others such as Peter (Mark 10:28-30) and Paul (Philippians 3:8-14).

[171] e.g. II Nephi 11:43-51, Jacob 3:4 & Moroni 7:53 with II Nephi 13:29 & Jacob 2:24

[172] Galatians 3:6-29, Romans 4:3-25 & James 2:23 with Genesis 22:18 & Genesis 26:4,5

[173] Genesis 13:10-18 with Luke 17:32

[174] Genesis 37:3

[175] Genesis 37:3,4

[176] cf. Genesis 9:8-25 IV with Genesis 9:8-17 KJV

[177] cf. Genesis 28:10-16 & Genesis 32:24-30 with Genesis 48:15,16, Genesis 50:24 & Exodus 3:6

[178] cf. Revelation 4:2,3 & Ezekiel 1:26-28 with Genesis 9:8-25 IV & Genesis 9:8-17 KJV

[179] John 8:56-58 with James 2:21-23; cf. Hebrews 11:17-19 with Genesis 22:1-14; while Joseph did not know his great-grandfather Abraham, he lived during the days of Isaac, his grandfather, and thus knew of Abraham’s faith and vision of his Redeemer (see Genesis 26:1-5).

[180] Remember Genesis 48:15,16 and Genesis 50:19-26 and their confidence in God’s covenants.

[181] Genesis 18:17-19 with John 8:56

[182] Genesis 50:15-21 with Romans 8:28

[183] Hebrews 12:1-3 with I Nephi 5:236-238 & II Nephi 6:10-50

[184] cf. Matthew 6:22-25 with Genesis 39:7-9

[185] I Nephi 2:71-84 with I Nephi 3:90-95

[186] cf. Genesis 39:7-21 with Isaiah 7:14-16 & Alma 18:11-16

[187] Hebrews 11:10 with Hebrews 11:16, Hebrews 12:22, Hebrews 13:14; see also Isaiah 14:32 also Isaiah 45:13, Isaiah 60:14 & Isaiah 62:12

[188] See D&C 65:1a-1f with Matthew 6:9,10

[189] Genesis 7:65-78 IV & Genesis 9:15-25 IV with Jude 1:14,15, Revelation 3:12 & Revelation 21:2; see also Hebrews 11:5 with Genesis 5:19-24

[190] cf. Genesis 7:67-72 IV with John 14:21,23

[191] D&C 63:3a-4a with D&C 46:3b-7f & D&C 50:3a-7f; see also I Nephi 4:16-20 with III Nephi 10:1-32

[192] cf. Colossians 2:6-19 & Ephesians 3:14-21 with John 10:11-18,25-30 & Hebrews 13:20,21

[193] Note the relationship between faith and the will of God. This is why we must focus on living by the will of God, not by our own will—what some call our free will, which is the will of our fallen nature. If we are to have a part in God’s kingdom, we must focus on reconciling our wills to the will of God just as the Son of God lived by the will of the Father (see II Nephi 7:40-44 with John 5:25-31).

[194] D&C 36:2g-3a & D&C 63:1a-3c with I John 3:1-3 & Moroni 7:53

[195] D&C 45:12a-14 & D&C 108:4a-4c with D&C 36:12c-14b

[196] Hebrews 11:8-10 with Genesis 7:33,34 IV, Acts 8:39, II Corinthians 12:2, I Thessalonians 4:17,18, III Nephi 13:24-29, etc.

[197] Isaiah 9:6,7 with II Nephi 9:66,67

[198] III Nephi 10:26-33 & III Nephi 11:29,30 with III Nephi 4:74,75

[199] Alma 14:29-78 & Alma 21:145-148 with John 13:34,35 & John 15:12-14

[200] https://hisworkmanship.net/why-micahs-prophecy-about-horses-and-chariots-matters-today/

[201] cf. D&C 4:1a-2b with Mathew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20 & Luke 24:36-53

[202] Mormon 2:51-54 & III Nephi 14:1-3 with III Nephi 7:34-45

[203] cf. Alma 14:118 and how the Anti-Nephi-Lehi buried their weapons in the hope their brethren would come to know the love of the Lord.

[204] cf. D&C 42:7d,e & D&C 63:5a-c with D&C 63:9a-c; see also D&C 85:19a-19c with D&C 85:9a-9b D&C 42:7d,e

[205] D&C 50:4a-6f with John 14:26 & Luke 12:11,12