Genesis 42–50: Lesson 35

Genesis 42–45

“I Am Joseph Your Brother”

Many years after he was sold into Egypt as a slave, Joseph was reunited with his brothers. He could have had felt angry and resentful because of all that he suffered. However, like the Savior, Joseph chose to extend mercy and forgiveness to his brothers who had mistreated him. This lesson can help students follow the Savior’s example by being more forgiving.

Student preparation: Invite students to ponder the Savior’s commandment to “forgive all men” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:10). Ask them to list some of the blessings they or others have experienced through forgiving someone.

Possible Learning Activities

Joseph of Egypt

To begin class, consider inviting students to briefly review the account of Joseph of Egypt in Genesis 37–41. You could ask them to summarize the unkind actions of Joseph’s brothers and the events that led to Joseph’s status as second in command of all of Egypt.

The digital images found in Lesson 33: Genesis 37–41 could be used to help students summarize the story.

• What are some of the ways Joseph suffered because of his brothers’ actions?

• How would you feel about someone who did this to you?

• What can make it hard to forgive someone?

Reflect on how you typically respond when someone does or says something hurtful to you. As you study today, pay close attention to any impressions you might receive from the Holy Ghost to help you know how you can follow the Savior’s example to forgive.

Joseph was reunited with his brothers

To study the story of Joseph’s reunion with his brothers, you could organize students in groups of three. Each student in the group could study one of the three summaries and scripture passages. Students could then teach the other members of the group their part of the story.

Alternately, you could show the animated video “Joseph and the Famine” (2:26) from time code 00:00 to 01:41 on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Review the following summaries and study the accompanying verses.

Summary 1: Many years after they sold Joseph as a slave, his brothers traveled to Egypt to seek relief from a famine. Presenting themselves before Joseph, now second in command of all Egypt, the brothers did not recognize him. Not knowing that Joseph recognized and could understand them, the brothers expressed their sorrow and regret for what they had done years earlier to him.

Read Genesis 42:21–24, looking for how Joseph reacted to hearing his brothers talk about how they had treated him.

Summary 2: Joseph provided food for the family but imprisoned Simeon and instructed the other brothers not to return to Egypt unless they brought the youngest brother, Benjamin, with them. The brothers returned home, but when the family ran out of food again, they returned to Egypt with Benjamin.

Read Genesis 43:30, looking for how Joseph reacted to seeing his brother Benjamin.

Summary 3: Joseph tested his brothers’ love for Benjamin by accusing him of stealing and threatening to throw him in jail. Judah offered his life in exchange for Benjamin’s.

Read Genesis 45:1–2, looking for how Joseph reacted after Judah volunteered to give his life to protect Benjamin.

After students have had a chance to study the summaries, you could invite them to discuss the following question.

• What would have been helpful for Joseph to remember about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as he interacted with his brothers?

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ forgive

The following scriptures illustrate the forgiving nature of both Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. You could display these scriptures for students to study or have them find their own scripture passages about the forgiving nature of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Read the following scriptures, looking for what would be helpful for someone who has been mistreated to know about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Luke 6:36

Ephesians 4:31–32

Colossians 3:13

• What would you share from these verses?

Read Genesis 45:3–8 and 9–15, looking for how Joseph responded to his brothers.

• What do we learn about becoming like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ from Joseph’s example?

Students might identify a variety of truths. Thank them for what they share and ask them why they feel it is an important doctrine or principle for us to know. If students do not mention it, share the following truth and write it on the board: We become like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as we forgive others.

By relying on the Savior, we can forgive others

To help students understand this truth, you could show the video “Forgiving Others: An Easter Message from President Russell M. Nelson” (5:01) from ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Another option is to study the following statement.

President Russell M. Nelson helped us understand how we rely on the Savior’s power when we forgive others.

If forgiveness presently seems impossible, plead for power through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to help you. As you do so, I promise personal peace and a burst of spiritual momentum.

When the Savior atoned for all mankind, He opened a way that those who follow Him can have access to His healing, strengthening, and redeeming power. These spiritual privileges are available to all who seek to hear Him and follow Him. (“The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” Liahona, May 2022, 100)

• How can President Nelson’s teachings help us forgive others?

• What would you counsel someone to do if they are struggling to forgive? What would you recommend they do to rely on the Savior?

If students need help with the last question, you may suggest they look at the Lord’s counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 64:9–11, particularly verse 11.

Consider inviting students to share an experience where they or someone they know was able to forgive. It might be helpful to remind students not to share details that might be too personal about them or someone they know. You may also want to share an experience of your own.

Help us to freely forgive

To help students reflect on what they have learned and felt about becoming like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, you could display some of the following activities for students to complete in their study journals.

Prayerfully ponder any impressions you have received as you studied today. Invite the Holy Ghost to help you recognize any changes you need to make. Ask Heavenly Father to help increase your ability to forgive others.

Select one of the following activities to complete in your study journal.

• Write a short paragraph that summarizes how you have been blessed by your efforts to forgive others. List what you have done to include the Savior in your efforts. What do you feel is important to remember the next time you need to forgive someone?

• Prayerfully consider if there is someone in your life you need to forgive. Write a short paragraph identifying the feelings you have about forgiving that person. What do you recognize that may be preventing your ability to forgive? List some ways you can seek the Savior’s help in your efforts.

• Write a note that could help a friend who is struggling to forgive someone. Briefly explain how Joseph’s choice to forgive his brothers was like the Savior. Include a scripture passage that has been meaningful to you in your efforts to forgive others.

You could invite a few willing students to share what they wrote. Consider concluding the lesson by inviting students to act on any spiritual impressions they may have received. You might share your witness of the blessings available when we follow the Savior’s example to forgive others.

Additional Resources

What else do I need to keep in mind as I work to forgive others?

President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminded us:

“Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven,” Christ taught in New Testament times. And in our day: “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.” It is, however, important for some of you living in real anguish to note what He did not say. He did not say, “You are not allowed to feel true pain or real sorrow from the shattering experiences you have had at the hand of another.” Nor did He say, “In order to forgive fully, you have to reenter a toxic relationship or return to an abusive, destructive circumstance.” But notwithstanding even the most terrible offenses that might come to us, we can rise above our pain only when we put our feet onto the path of true healing. That path is the forgiving one walked by Jesus of Nazareth, who calls out to each of us, “Come, follow me.” (“The Ministry of Reconciliation,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 78–79)

How can the Savior bless me when I forgive others?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

These words, uttered by the Savior Jesus Christ as He hung on the cross, give us a pattern to follow in our own lives. He taught us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, and even to pray for those who despitefully use us.

When we choose to forgive others, we allow the Lord to remove the poison from our souls. We permit Him to soothe and soften our hearts so we can see others, especially those who have wronged us, as children of God and as our brothers and sisters.

… I would invite you to consider prayerfully if there is someone whom you should forgive or someone you should ask to forgive you. I promise that the Savior will relieve you of anger, resentment, and pain. The Prince of Peace will bring you peace.

… May we turn to the risen Lord as He helps us to experience the joy and miracle of forgiveness. (Facebook, Apr. 2, 2023, facebook.com/russell.m.nelson)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Genesis 48–49; Priesthood blessings

Note: Jacob blessing his sons with patriarchal blessings will be taught as part of the Patriarchal Blessings lesson. This activity focuses on priesthood blessings in general.

To help students understand the power of priesthood blessings, you could invite students to read Genesis 48:8–16, looking for the priesthood blessings that Jacob (now named Israel) gave to Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh.

• How have you or someone you know been blessed by priesthood blessings?

Students could share experiences including father’s blessings, healing the sick, or being set apart for callings or ordinations. Invite students to share how priesthood blessings have helped them feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. You might remind students that President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency has taught:

Fathers should also cultivate loving family relationships so that family members will want to ask their fathers for blessings. And parents should encourage more priesthood blessings in the family. (“The Powers of the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 67).

The burden of refusing to forgive

If students would benefit from understanding the unnecessary burden we carry when we refuse to extend forgiveness, you might demonstrate the following object lesson.

Ask students to make a paper airplane. Then tape a coin, rock, or weight to one side of the airplane. Ask students to throw the airplane gently toward the other side of the room. Next, pick up the airplane and remove the taped object. Have the student throw the airplane again. You could invite students to share how this object lesson demonstrates the need to forgive. Discussion questions could include:

• How can just one small weight keep the plane from flying correctly? How can this be like refusing to forgive?

• As we act in faith to forgive someone, how might the Savior bless our efforts?

Joseph as a type of Christ

In Lesson 33: Genesis 37–41, students may have created a chart to help them identify ways that Joseph is a type of Christ. To add to their study, consider displaying the following chart with only the scripture references. You could invite students to summarize the passages with a partner or in a group. Seeing Joseph’s life as a type and shadow of Christ can help students see His power when they face challenges.

Joseph of Egypt	Jesus Christ
Joseph of Egypt Genesis 45:3–5 (Joseph forgave those who wronged him)	Jesus Christ Mosiah 26:30
Joseph of Egypt Genesis 45:1–5 (Joseph reveals himself to his brothers when they came the second time)	Jesus Christ Matthew 24:30–31
Joseph of Egypt Genesis 47:13–19 (Joseph saves the people with bread)	Jesus Christ John 6:35, 51