From a young age Joseph decided to apply gospel principles in his life. His choices enabled him to inherit the blessings promised in the Abrahamic covenant. Joseph Making Himself Known to His Brothers, by Ted Henninger. Courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Abstract: In Genesis 37–50, the narrative of Joseph of Egypt offers instructive lessons on the blessings that flow from persevering through trials while honoring covenant commitments with God. Joseph’s capacity to consistently and courageously apply eternal principles when facing abuse, temptation, injustice, and other challenges not only led to his personal success but also proved critical for those whom he served as a slave and prisoner and, once he was elevated to great power in Egypt, for the numerous subjects of Pharaoh’s kingdom during times of famine. This essay identifies and discusses the primary principles that guided Joseph’s efforts to accomplish God’s purposes for covenant Israel.

Keywords: Joseph of Egypt, living the gospel, Abrahamic covenant, temptation, forgiveness

From the beginning of the Restoration, the importance of applying gospel principles has been at the heart of the Church’s teachings. Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles defined principles in this way: “Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstance.”[1] Similarly, President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015), former Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve, explained: “A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally, principles are not spelled out in detail. That leaves you free to find your way with an enduring truth, a principle, as your anchor.”[2] It has been said that “religious principles” are “sentiments, concerning the relations between God and man, which . . . influence human conduct.”[3] The importance of teaching gospel principles has been emphasized in modern-day revelation: “The elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:12; emphasis added).

The story of Joseph of Egypt in Genesis 37–50 is very principle based. The ancient prophetic leader of Egypt is depicted as making decisions and applying eternal principles to his personal circumstances, resulting in blessings in his own life and in the lives of those for whom he had responsibility. His application of gospel principles illustrates the kind of relationship he had with God, but also with other people. This study will identify and discusses the primary principles Joseph lived and applied in his efforts to accomplish God’s purposes for covenant Israel.

Joseph of Egypt and the Principle-Based Life

Among the many principles taught in the story of Joseph of Egypt are poise, faithfulness, forgiveness, and trustworthiness.[4] Joseph’s story also exemplifies the promise given in Doctrine and Covenants 3:1: “The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught.”

Joseph was the son of Jacob by his favorite wife, Rachel, and Jacob favored Joseph above all his other sons. As evidence of that love, Jacob made Joseph “a coat of many colours” (Genesis 37:3).[5] As a young man, Joseph had prophetic dreams indicating he would rule over his brothers, who were much older than he was. Because of those dreams and his father’s favoritism, Joseph’s brothers hated Joseph. That hate resulted in Joseph’s being sold as a slave to Ishmaelite traders who in turn sold him to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard. In Potiphar’s house Joseph was falsely accused of attempted rape by his master’s wife. As a punishment, he was thrown into prison. However, after he had been in prison for a few years (41:1), he was invited to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. As a result, Pharaoh elevated him to the position of chief advisor, second only to Pharaoh in power and prestige in “all the land of Egypt” (v. 41). In this position Joseph would eventually rescue the people of Egypt and neighboring nations from a famine that threatened the starvation of all in the region. Thus he was revered throughout the land.

Joseph’s story demonstrates how our Heavenly Father works with us to thwart Lucifer’s works while bringing about his own plan and works. Joseph met numerous challenges on his unplanned journey, each of which he was able to overcome because God was with him. Many of us, given the same circumstances as those faced by Joseph, would have given up. However, along his obstacle-strewn journey, Joseph developed great confidence in God’s plan for him. Joseph understood well the principle the Apostle Paul would later teach: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). As evidence that Joseph understood this Pauline principle, notice what he said to his brothers (when he finally revealed himself to them during one of their visits to Egypt): “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). Joseph added, “So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God” (v. 8; emphasis added). Joseph’s words evidence that he had not only the Spirit of the Lord but also a deep personal relationship with God, for who else would give such a response to the very people who once sought to harm him? Joseph was able to maintain this Pauline perspective because, throughout his trials, he was steadfast in living gospel principles.

A Rich Narrative with a Clear Purpose

The Genesis narrative on Joseph constitutes one-fourth of the book. It is one of the richest narratives found in scripture. In his literary analysis of Genesis, theologian A. van Selms noted that Genesis 37–50 (the Joseph story) is “one unbroken narrative, which is no mere accident but a carefully wrought composition,” perhaps unequaled in biblical literature.[6] Some scholars believe it was written between around 580 and 520 BCE.[7]

The authors of scripture typically wrote to highlight inspiring life lessons and important religious principles. The story of Joseph of Egypt is no different. As will be seen, it clearly shows that Joseph fulfilled God’s plan despite numerous challenges because he faithfully persevered by consistently applying gospel principles in his life.

Principle One: Poise

While the principle of poise is not often discussed within a gospel context, in the April 2023 general conference, Elder Mark A. Bragg of the Seventy addressed its role in navigating personal challenges. At the time, I was facing significant storms in my own life. Elder Bragg’s counsel to “be a good man in a storm” and manifest “poise in every situation” resonated with me. He added, “Poise has a much broader application to life and can bless parents, leaders, missionaries, teachers, students, and everyone else facing the storms of life.”[8] One encyclopedic treatment of the principle of poise suggests that one who has poise exhibits a “dignified” form of self-control, including “composure; self-possession” and a “steadiness; stability” and “balance.”[9]

While Joseph of Egypt exhibited poise in many different and difficult situations, here it will suffice to show how he demonstrated poise when he interpreted the dreams of the two fellow prisoners and Pharaoh.

Joseph was in prison for more than two years (Genesis 41:1).[10] While prison is never an enviable place to be, in antiquity it was worse than today since prisoners essentially enjoyed no rights.[11] Poise would be a hard thing to maintain in such circumstances, but Joseph succeeded in maintaining it. In some countries, prisoners who are well-behaved are awarded with early release. Joseph’s good behavior was rewarded by his being made the keeper of the prison (39:22). Joseph’s poise seems to have originated from his faith and trust in the Lord (v. 23). The ability to maintain poise gives one clarity of mind amid life’s storms. In addition, it allows the Spirit of the Lord to direct those who possess it.

Joseph was in prison with Pharaoh’s butler and his baker, both of whom were once senior employees in Pharaoh’s court. The scriptures tell us that one morning Joseph sensed that his fellow prisoners were troubled and sad. Using the gift of the Spirit, available to those who are poised, he asked, “Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?” (Genesis 40:7). They were troubled by dreams from the night before, and there was no one to give an interpretation. Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you” (v. 8). They did and Joseph gave the interpretation through the Spirit of God, an ability certainly facilitated by his poise and other virtuous qualities.

Years later, Pharaoh had his own prophetic dreams. Unknown to him, these dreams were about the future of Egypt. He was troubled by them and wanted an interpretation, so he called on his magicians. None of them could explain the meaning of his dreams. However, the Pharaoh’s chief butler, for whom Joseph had once interpreted a dream, suddenly remembered Joseph’s gift for interpretation (Genesis 41:12). The butler convinced Pharaoh to ask Joseph to interpret his dreams. The chance to stand before Pharaoh could have been seen by Joseph as an opportunity to seek his release from prison. Joseph instead exhibited poise. When Pharaoh said he’d heard of Joseph’s interpretive ability, Joseph, under the influence of the Spirit and a clear mind, replied, “It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace” (v. 16).

Subsequently, as he satisfactorily interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph repeatedly credited God as his source of inspiration, even though Pharaoh was known as a god among the Egyptians (Genesis 41:25, 28, 32). People with genuine poise make others feel safe, secure, and comfortable in their presence. Pharaoh was comfortable with this Hebrew slave who proved to be more useful than the court magicians. Soon Joseph was elevated to be second to Pharaoh in authority and influence over all of Egypt. In doing this, Pharaoh referred to Joseph as a person in whom the Spirit of God could be found. Joseph was seen as “discreet and wise” (vv. 38–39).

Principle Two: Faithfulness

The Hebrew noun translated “faithfulness” in the King James Version of the Bible essentially means the act of remaining steadfast and committed to God and his teachings, particularly when circumstances would seem to warrant acting otherwise.[12] When we are faithful, we trust in God’s promises even in the face of temptation or adversity. In essence, faithfulness reflects the depth of our relationship with God. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught how faith can be strengthened: “How we live our lives increases or diminishes our faith. Prayer, obedience, honesty, purity of thought and deed, and unselfishness increase faith. Without these, faith diminishes.”[13] With increased faith, there is also an increase in faithfulness. People demonstrate faithfulness in many situations, but more often when faced with temptations and trials. For Joseph, the pivotal moment was when he was a ruler in Potiphar’s house. Potiphar’s wife tried multiple times to tempt Joseph to break the law of chastity (Genesis 39:7–12). Yet he remained faithful to God’s law. After all, Joseph descended from the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who all talked with God face-to-face. With such a reputation of faithfulness, Joseph had surely been taught God’s law as a youth. Modern-day revelation speaks highly of Jacob’s faithfulness: “Jacob did no other things than that which they were commanded” (Doctrine and Covenants 132:37; see 27:10; 2 Nephi 3:4; Hebrews 11:22). Jacob surely would have seen to it that his son was taught God’s commandments and laws, such as the law of chastity. The passage of years since that time did not lead Joseph to be faithless when confronted with the advances of Potiphar’s wife.

The narrative in Genesis 39 provides clues to how Joseph fended off those advances. To begin with, though, it seems certain that he was aided by his strong religious upbringing as well as the promptings of the Spirit. From the age of seventeen (when Joseph was sold into slavery) until age thirty (when he left the prison), we have no record of him reconnecting to religious teachings of his childhood. However, Joseph was articulate and unwavering in his response to Potiphar’s wife (known as Zuleika in the Qurʾan and in Louis Ginzberg’s Legends of the Jews). First, he reminded her of the duty he had toward her husband.[14] Joseph knew that Potiphar held an influential position in Egypt, and he was likely aware that committing adultery in this case could result in the death penalty.[15] As a youth, Joseph (in his hometown of Hebron) likely knew the penalties resulting from breaking the law of chastity. He also may have heard (or heard tell of) Judah demanding that Tamar be burnt for having played a harlot (Genesis 38:24).

When Potiphar’s wife was unswayed by his first argument, Joseph turned to a theological argument. Although both arguments appear in the same verse, as though they were mentioned in the same breath, the second one was possibly given later (Genesis 39:10). This argument against breaking the law of chastity was as follows: “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin again God? (v. 9; emphasis added). Sinning against God would have meant that Joseph risked not living in God’s presence in the hereafter.

Knowing the end of the story, especially how Joseph kept covenant with God, we can conclude that Joseph had mastered the principle that President Russell M. Nelson has termed “thinking celestial.”[16] Living gospel principles must have become a way of life for Joseph. He surely wanted to be where his great patriarchal ancestors were. Doctrine and Covenants 132:37 reveals where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob now are and what station they were rewarded with in eternity: “Because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods.”

The Lord said to ancient Israelites, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). In modern times, the Lord has maintained this teaching about sexual purity: “Thou shalt not commit adultery; and he that committeth adultery, and repenteth not, shall be cast out” (Doctrine and Covenant 42:24). Joseph’s temptation took place in the context of a power relationship. He would have known the possible consequences of either accepting or refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife because of her status in Pharaoh’s household. On this incident the Theology of Work Project made this comment:

Joseph’s godliness did not rescue him from false accusation and imprisonment. If we find ourselves in a parallel situation, our godliness is no guarantee that we will escape unscathed. But Joseph did leave an instructive testimony to Potiphar’s wife and possibly others in the household. Knowing that we belong to the Lord and that he defends the weak will certainly help us to face difficult situations without giving up.[17]

Vindictive in response to Joseph's refusal, Potiphar’s wife built a case against him that resulted in his imprisonment. Joseph maintained his faithfulness while in prison. In the face of adversity and temptation, he never wavered in his devotion to God. Nor did he blame God for allowing him to be sent to prison on a false accusation. For his faithfulness he was greatly rewarded.

In today’s society, sexual intimacy outside the bonds of marriage seems to be the norm. In his 1988 BYU devotional, President Jeffrey R. Holland (then serving as the president of Brigham Young University) made the following observation regarding the sanctity of intimacy, explaining the reasons why God expects his children to observe the law of chastity:

May I suggest that human intimacy, that sacred, physical union ordained of God for a married couple, deals with a symbol that demands special sanctity. Such an act of love between a man and a woman is—or certainly was ordained to be—a symbol of total union: union of their hearts, their hopes, their lives, their love, their family, their future, their everything. It is a symbol that we try to suggest in the temple with a word like seal.[18]

Joseph, by refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife and running away from her, provided an example of what every faithful person whose life is guided by gospel principles needs to do when confronted with a similar temptation.

Principle Three: Forgiveness

Mahatma Ghandhi (1869–1948) was an Indian lawyer and a politician who advocated nonviolence when he was leading a resistance against British rule in his home country of India. He had witnessed racial injustice in his homeland and during a short stay in South Africa. After India gained its independence, Ghandi, reflecting on the atrocities committed by the colonizers, said this about forgiveness: “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”[19] Joseph, the son of Jacob, seems to have forgiven everyone who had harmed him, including his brothers and Potiphar’s wife, and he was able to do so because he was a strong man. He received the strength to forgive from the Spirit of God, which was always with him (Genesis 39:21; 41:38). Elder Marion D. Hanks (1921–2011), a former member of the Presidency of the Seventy, invited us to apply forgiveness when we have been offended:

What is our response when we are offended, misunderstood, unfairly or unkindly treated, or sinned against, made an offender for a word, falsely accused, passed over, hurt by those we love, or our offerings rejected? Do we resent, become bitter, hold a grudge? Or do we resolve the problem if we can, forgive, and rid ourselves of the burden? The nature of our response to such situations may well determine the nature and quality of our lives, here and eternally. A courageous friend, her faith refined by many afflictions, said to me only hours ago, “Humiliation must come before exaltation.” It is required of us to forgive. Our salvation depends upon it.[20]

When Joseph’s brothers suggested he should be killed, Reuben intervened and insisted they put Joseph into a pit. Being seventeen years old, Joseph likely felt alone in that scary, dark pit. Sometimes we might feel scared and alone as well. We can learn from Joseph’s experience as we face our own life trials. They Flung Him into a Pit, by Charles Edmund Brock. Public Domain.

Joseph’s life seemed to move from one tragedy to another. Space won’t allow me to list all the challenges inflicted on him by others. I have selected only a few to illustrate how Joseph applied forgiveness in his life. First, his brothers developed deep hatred and jealousy toward young Joseph while they were living in their home in Hebron. Favoring Joseph above his other sons, Jacob gave him a coat of many colors. Hatred grew even more when Joseph told his brothers of his prophetic dreams. In those dreams Joseph understood himself to be a future ruler of his family, despite having ten older brothers (Genesis 37:3–11). Jacob wasn’t aware that his sons hated Joseph. If he had been, he would not have sent him alone to Shechem to check on their welfare. That was the last time Jacob would see his beloved son for almost twenty years. When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they suggested he should be killed. Reuben intervened and insisted they put Joseph into a pit. I imagine that he, being seventeen years old, likely felt alone in that scary, dark pit. Perhaps he could hear his brothers eating, drinking, dancing, singing, and laughing. He surely could not believe that his own brothers were doing this to him. The memory of those lonely nights in the pit would have stayed with him for many years, making it difficult for him to forgive.

Later, Judah suggested they sell Joseph to Ishmaelite traders heading to Egypt. As one sold into slavery, Joseph would have been on that long journey in chains. He would have walked that long distance barefoot, perhaps with little food and water. The scars of that arduous journey would have remained indelible in Joseph’s memory. Such mistreatment would have been hard for anyone to forgive.

After his arrival in Egypt, Joseph did not become a ruler in Potiphar’s house overnight. He had to work his way up. There were surely many days during his long servitude when he remembered his homeland and longed to return. We know from the record that Joseph was greatly loved by his father, Jacob (Genesis 37:3), but in Egypt all parental care for Joseph was no longer available. The memory of this time of abandonment, injustice, and slavery in Egypt would have remained with him for many years. Again, such mistreatment would have been beyond the capacity of many people to forgive, and also very embittering, yet Joseph’s nobility of soul enabled him to rise above it and to trust in God. This strength of character enabled him to forgive those who had caused him grief.

After his promotion by Potiphar (to be a chief steward in his home), Joseph was starting to enjoy some privileges, but soon another distressing situation emerged when Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph. Although his response was exemplary, her false accusation caused him to be thrown into prison. How can one who is falsely imprisoned forgive the person responsible?

The record never mentions Potiphar’s wife after this incident. This doesn’t mean that Joseph never met her again. Because of how he treated those who had hurt him, we can assume that he never held a grudge against her. Rather, we read that while Joseph was in prison “the Lord was with Joseph, . . . and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper” (Genesis 39:21, 23). The Lord was with Joseph because of his worthiness and righteous actions, including his godly capacity to forgive all those who mistreated him, thereby qualifying himself for the continual guidance and comfort of the Spirit.

Twenty years later, Joseph’s brothers in Canaan came to Egypt to buy grain because of a widespread famine. Joseph was then governor over the land, a position second only to that of Pharaoh (Genesis 41:38–45; 42:7). With such authority vested in him, he could have executed them or given them a long prison sentence. Genesis 45 reads, “Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all of them that stood by him” and, after dismissing everyone but his brothers, “wept aloud” (vv. 1–2). In my culture in South Africa, a man almost never cries. If he cries, you know things are gravely serious. For example, in thirty years of knowing my father, I saw him cry once, when my mother passed away. Joseph’s tears were tears of joy over being reunited with his brothers after twenty years. It appears that Joseph’s goodness and closeness to God caused him to forget the trials and tribulations inflicted upon him from the time he was sold into slavery.

Forgiveness is sometimes a reciprocal process. When Joseph’s brothers were prevented from returning home because Pharaoh’s silver cup was found in Benjamin’s sack, Judah, even though not the oldest and despite not having a good record of being trusted, led the discussion with Joseph about the incident (Genesis 44). He had married a Canaanite woman and treated his daughter as a prostitute, and it had been his idea to sell Joseph into slavery. Despite this sullied background, Joseph seemed moved by Judah’s words as the self-appointed family spokesperson: first, when Judah related the starvation situation at home, and second, when he described what might happen to Jacob, their faither, if they returned without Benjamin. Judah’s willingness to remain behind in place of Benjamin surely softened Joseph toward the brothers. Joseph seems impressed by the change of heart in Judah, and that likely made forgiveness easy.

Joseph “wept aloud” in his brothers’ presence, and it was heard throughout Pharaoh’s palace (Genesis 45:2). This was before he revealed himself to them. Surely, they wondered what wrong they had done. Joseph broke the silence when he said, “Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt” (v. 4). There was good reason for all but Benjamin to be worried. They had put together the plan to sell him into slavery. However, they were comforted when he continued, “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life” (v. 5). Joseph gave his brothers an unexpected and yet a plausible reason why he ended up in Egypt. I suspect the tone of that response brought a smile to some. They knew they had been forgiven. They were further assured when he said, “And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast” (v. 10). True forgiveness had to be accompanied by actions. Joseph showed that to his brothers by inviting them to live close by.

Principle Four: Trustworthiness

Bishop L. Todd Budge of the Presiding Bishopric taught, “Trusting in the Lord includes trusting in His timing and requires patience and endurance that outlast the storms of life.”[21] Sister Bonnie Cordon, formerly of the Primary General Presidency, noted the following about trust: “In Proverbs 3:5–6, we read this counsel: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ This scripture comes with two admonitions, a warning, and a glorious promise.”[22]

Joseph achieved great things in life because he was trusted by people around him. The list of people on record who trusted Joseph showed that trust at critical junctures in his life.

First, the Lord trusted Joseph. The Old Testament Student Manual, Genesis–2 Samuel begins the discussion of Joseph of Egypt with this line, “The story of Joseph, the son of Jacob who was called Israel, is a vivid representation of the great truth that ‘all things work together for good to [those] that love God.’ (See Rom. 8:28).” Love of God helps us develop trust in him. In all the afflictions he faced, Joseph always referenced the name of God. We read that shortly after Joseph arrived in Egypt, “the Lord was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2). Joseph’s trust in God was also noticed by those he worked with: “And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand” (v. 3). Joseph knew that to continue to be trusted by the Lord, he needed to be a good man who upheld God’s law. As a result of doing that, he was blessed with the courage to tell Potiphar’s wife, “How . . . can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (v. 9). It was the Lord’s trust in Joseph that caused him to be trusted by his fellow prisoners and the jail keeper (v. 21). Joseph’s trust in God is more vividly apparent when he was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. Joseph had come to understand that the gift to interpret dreams came from God. With courage, he knew he would interpret Pharaoh’s dream by trusting in God to reveal the true meaning. When Pharaoh interrogated Joseph about his gift, Joseph repeatedly pointed to God as the interpreter of dreams (41:16, 25, 28, 32). Joseph was consistent in trusting the Lord; we see this when he faced trials and tribulations and during happy moments. For example, when his two sons were born, he gave them names that showed his trust in God—Manasseh, meaning “God hath made me forget all my toil,” and Ephraim, meaning “God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction” (vv. 51–52).

Second, Jacob trusted Joseph. This trust developed when Joseph was just a young seventeen-year-old. Genesis 37 begins with an incident where Joseph returned from feeding the flock with his brothers. While in the fields feeding the flock with his brothers, Joseph witnessed things he knew would not please his father. On his return home, he immediately reported to his father (v. 2). When his brothers were sent to Shechem, Jacob sent his trusted son to check on their welfare (v. 14).

Third, Potiphar trusted Joseph. Not long after working for Potiphar, Joseph was made an overseer of his house. We see more evidence of this trust when Potiphar’s wife made sexual advances and Joseph’s response was measured, showing how much he loved and trusted his master: “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” (Genesis 39:9). When Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph, Potiphar did not execute him but put him in jail, suggesting that he trusted Joseph more than his wife. When trust is strong and genuine between two people, they always protect each other’s interests.

Fourth, the butler trusted Joseph. In prison with Joseph, the butler was unsure of his fate. Joseph interpreted the butler’s dream, discerning that he would be exonerated and restored to his powerful position in Pharaoh’s court. Before the butler’s release from prison, Joseph requested of him, “Think on me when it shall be well with thee, . . . and bring me out of this house” (Genesis 40:14). This trust between Joseph and the butler resulted in Joseph’s being freed from prison and eventually elevated to be second in authority only to Pharoah in the whole of Egypt.

Fifth, Pharaoh trusted Joseph. When Joseph was invited to Pharaoh’s court to interpret his dream, Joseph gave the credit to God for revealing the meaning. He said, “It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace” (Genesis 41:16). Even though Pharaoh was viewed as a god in Egypt, I believe he knew deep inside there was something much bigger than himself (or than the immortal Egyptian deities). When this young Hebrew servant taught him of the true and living God, Pharaoh developed trust in him. Joseph’s interpretation pleased Pharoah. He then placed all his trust in the young Hebrew servant.

In conclusion, Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy said, “When we follow Satan, we give him power. When we follow God, He gives us power.”[23] Joseph, from a young age, decided to follow God by applying many gospel principles in his life, including poise, trustworthiness, forgiveness, and faithfulness throughout his life. That choice enabled him to fulfill God’s plan and to inherit the blessings promised in the Abrahamic covenant. Similar blessings are available to all God’s children throughout the world, especially those who choose to live their lives based on gospel principles. Gospel living is Christ’s way of living. He tells us in the New Testament that he is “the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). He did this by coming to earth to show us how to live the gospel, allowing us a way back to God’s presence.

Notes

[1] Richard G. Scott, “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” (general conference talk, November 1993), www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[2] Boyd K. Packer, “The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises” (general conference talk, April 1996), www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[3] James A. Ballentine, Ballentine’s Law Dictionary, 3rd ed. (1969), s.v. “religious principles.”

[4] These principles are not mentioned by name in the text, but each can be gleaned from the narrative. As a former manager of the Church’s Curriculum Department noted, although “some principles and doctrines are easy to identify because the scripture writer points them out . . . , other principles and doctrines are not stated in the verses but are implied from the content. They lie hidden within the events of the scriptures. They need to be mined like diamonds.” Robb Jones, “The Focus of Teaching: Principles and Doctrines,” Religious Educator 3, no. 1 (2002): 124.

[5] The Hebrew describes that famed coat as a tunic or undergarment that reached from Joseph’s palms to his soles.

[6] A. van Selms, Genesis deel II (Nijkerk, The Netherlands: Callenbach, 1967), 171.

[7] Thomas Römer, “Genesis 39 and the Composition of the Joseph Narrative,” Cantonal and University Library of Lausanne, Switzerland, 2020, 47, https://serval.unil.ch/resource/serval:BIB_F38D06D96491.P001/REF.

[8] Mark A. Bragg, “Christlike Poise” (general conference talk, April 2023), www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[9] Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, deluxe ed. (2001), s.v., “poise.”

[10] “It is likely that Joseph was in prison at least three years and possibly much longer.” Church Educational System, Old Testament Student Manual, Genesis–2 Samuel (Religion 301), 96, www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[11] Sophie Dunne, “Here’s What It Was Like for Criminals in Ancient Egypt,” Grunge, August 16, 2021, https://www.grunge.com/488817/.

[12] Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. Archie England et al., rev. ed. (Nashville: Holman Reference, 2003), s.v., “Faith, Faithfulness.”

[13] Neil L. Andersen, “Faith Is Not by Chance, but by Choice” (general conference talk, October 2015), www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[14] See Old Testament Student Manual, Genesis–2 Samuel, 95.

[15] James Bronson Reynolds, “Sex Morals and the Law in Ancient Egypt and Babylon,” Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology 5, no. 1 (1914): 21.

[16] Russell M. Nelson, “Think Celestial” (general conference talk, October 2023), www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[17] Theology of Work Project, “Joseph (Genesis 37:2–50:26),” https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/genesis-12-50-and-work/.

[18] Jeffrey R. Holland, “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments” (Brigham Young University devotional, January 12, 1988), https://speeches.byu.edu.

[19] Quoted in Zafar Ibrahim, “Embracing Forgiveness,” The Times of India (blog), September 10, 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/zafarreads/embracing-forgiveness-25820/.

[20] Marion D. Hanks, “Forgiveness: The Ultimate Form of Love” (general conference talk, October 1973), www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[21] L. Todd Budge, “Consistent and Resilient Trust” (general conference talk, October 2019), www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[22] Bonnie Cordon, “Trust in the Lord and Lean Not” (general conference talk, April 2017), www.churchofjesuschrist.org.

[23] Paul V. Johnson. “Be Perfected in Him” (general conference talk, October 2022), www.churchofjesuschrist.org.