Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

LEHI BLESSES HIS SON JOSEPH, VER. 1-50
Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 2
2 Ne 2:3 And may the Lord consecrate also unto thee this land, which is a most precious land, for thine
inheritance and the inheritance of thy seed with thy brethren, for thy security for ever, if it so be that ye
shall keep the commandments of the Holy One of Israel.
2:3 The patriarch saved his last and, to some extent, his choicest blessing for his last-born son,
Joseph. The land was not to be the sole inheritance of Joseph but was blessed for his seed "with
thy brethren, for thy security for ever." However, a condition was added, as in all of God's
promises, either implied or expressed. This blessing was pronounced "if it so be that ye shall keep
the commandments of the Holy One of Israel."
2 Ne 2:5 For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph, who was carried
captive into Egypt.
2:5 Alma gave further light on Lehi's progenitors. He continued, "who was a descendant of
Manasseh, who was the son of Joseph, who was sold into Egypt by the hands of his brethren" (A.
8:3).
To the Joseph of Egypt was promised a righteous branch to come from his posterity (7). This
prophecy did not refer to the Messiah, but to "a branch which was to be broken off" (8). The
patriarch Jacob mentions this in Joseph's blessing. "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful
'bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall" (Gen. 49:22). This righteous branch which
went over the sea barrier (wall) was the Lehites (colony led by Lehi), and they were now fulfilling
their destiny.
2 Ne 2:11 Yea, Joseph truly said, Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the
fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins.
2:11 Latter Day Saints believe that this refers to the prophet-seer Joseph Smith, Jr. Note that he
was to bring to Lehi's descendants "a knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy
fathers" (12); also that he should devote himself wholly to the work which the Lord commanded
(13).
In July, 1830, a revelation was given to Joseph: "Thou shalt devote all thy service in Zion.” And
in temporal labors thou shalt not have strength, for this is not thy calling" (D. and C. 23:4a,c).
2 Ne 2:15 And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver
my people, O house of Israel.
2:15 Here Joseph Smith is likened unto Moses: (1) Moses was a prophet-seer who led his people
from Egyptian oppression. Joseph led his people to Ohio, to Missouri, and to Illinois- (2) Both
record that they saw and talked to Jehovah. (3) Mighty miracles are credited to both. (4) Each of
them used a spokesman: Aaron (Exod. 4:10-16) and Sidney Rigdon (D. and C. 97:3). (5) Each was
a lawgiver by divine right. (6) Both encountered serious opposition from their own people and
their enemies. (7) Both died before their announced goals were reached.