Text: Exodus 1-6

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapters 10-11

BYU Lecture 17: Moses, the grandson of Levi, is born. The Israelites had now been in Egypt for 215 years (a total of 430 years since Abraham arrived in Canaan). Moses was born while the Israelites were in slavery due to a previous dynasty change in Egyption leadership. At this time, the Pharoah required the Israelite male babies, as soon as they were born, to be killed by drowning. The purpose of this was two-fold: One, to limit the Hebrew population growth, and Two, to diminished the ability and opportunity for a military uprising and rebellion by Israel.

Baby Moses is hidden for 3 months and finally placed in a basket, set out on the Nile River, and then miraculously rescued by the daughter of Pharoah. As she could have no children, she convinced Pharoah to accept this Hebrew baby as her child and the future heir to the throne. He accepts the baby as a rightful grandson, much to the jealousy and hatred of the Pharoah priests.

At the age of 40, Moses, the crown prince, desired to be with his people, the Israelites. After killing a cruel Egyptian taskmaster, Moses was exiled from Egypt and he fled to Midian, hundreds of miles away. Moses meets Jethro, receives the Melchizedek Priesthood from him, and marries one of his daughters.

At the age of 80, while feeding his flocks, Moses sees and investigates a burning bush on Mount Sinai. He is told to remove his shoes (leave behind worldly things) and talks with God. Moses is called to return to Egypt and go to Pharoah, demanding the release of the Israelites.

In a follow up revelation, Moses see’s the history of the world and the Lord dictates to Moses what he records as the book of Genesis. The law of circumcision is given, and Moses leaves Midian, Jethro and his family as he departs to Egypt. To his joy and amazement, his brother Aaron finds Moses and accompanies him back across the desert into Egypt.

This week, we have 2 lectures to keep pace for those following the Come Follow Me schedule.

Text: Genesis 42-50

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapters 6-8

BYU Lecture 14: Joseph marries Asenath and has two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. He prepares Egypt for the upcoming famine by taxing the people by 20%. During the hardship of this famine, Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt desperate for food and were directed to the Prime Minister Joseph. It had been 20 years and they did not recognize Joseph, but Joseph recognized them. Joseph sets out a plan to bring Jacob and Benjamin to Egypt. Finally, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and all rejoice together.

Jacob is overcome when he is told his son Joseph is alive. He is reluctant to go down to Egypt because of an earlier prophecy that his seed would then become slaves, but God revealed to him that he should go. The whole family comes to Egypt and settles in Goshen.

BYU Lecture 15: As discussed previously, Joseph is now married and has two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Due to impropriety of Jacob’s oldest two sons, Rueban (guilty of incest) and Simeon (guilty of murder), Jacob adopts Joseph’s two sons as replacement heirs. Jacob blesses Ephraim to be the principal heir to the Priesthood.

Prior to his death, Jacob gives his final blessings to all his children. Reuben and Simeon receive nothing, although their descendants will receive some land inheritance. Judah is promised to be the political leader and through his seed the Messiah will be born. Joseph was given the coveted birthright blessing, which would then be passed on to Ephraim.

Near the end of Joseph’s life, he receives some amazing prophecies – many of which were lost or intentionally removed from the modern Bible. Apparently, these prophecies were preserved in the Brass Plates. In the latter days, Joseph Smith was able to restore some of these prophesies which can be found in Genesis 50 and others can be found in 2nd Nephi.

Jewish scholar Dr. Joseph Klausner refers to the latter-day coming of “Messiah ben Joseph” who will precede “Messiah ben Judah” and who will be martyred. What he did not know is “Messiah ben Joseph” has already come, known to us as Joseph Smith.

Text: Genesis 37-41

Supplemental Text: The Third Thousand Years chapters 5-6

BYU Lecture 13: Joseph spent his youth in Beersheba. He was a devoted son to Jacob and to God. When he witnessed evil doings by his brothers, Joseph faithfully reported it to his father. This created a trusted bond between father and son, but caused hatred between Joseph and his brothers. At the age of 17, Joseph receives revelations from the Lord through dreams, prophesying that Jacob and Joseph’s brothers will bow down to Joseph. This angers his brothers and they plot to kill him. They throw Joseph into a dry well and he is inadvertently captured and sold into slavery for 20 pieces of silver and taken to Egypt. Jacob is told that Joseph is dead and he mourns terribly. Adding to the tragedy, Jacob's father Isaac dies.

Joseph is sold to Potiphar, Egypt’s chief executioner, but after 11 years in faithful servitude he is imprisoned after being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. Joseph interprets the dreams of 2 fellow prisoners, a butcher and a baker. He later interprets the dream of Pharoah, who is so impressed with Joseph, he promotes him to be Prime Minister of all Egypt.