“Joseph Smith Translation Genesis 50: ‘A Seer Shall the Lord My God Raise Up,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)
“Joseph Smith Translation Genesis 50: ‘A Seer Shall the Lord My God Raise Up,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual
Genesis 42–50: Lesson 36
Joseph Smith Translation Genesis 50
“A Seer Shall the Lord My God Raise Up”
Shortly before his death, Joseph of Egypt prophesied that in the latter days the Lord would raise up Joseph Smith to do His work. We can receive our own witness that Joseph Smith was the Lord’s servant. This lesson can help students strengthen their testimonies that the Lord called Joseph Smith to be a prophet.
Student preparation: Invite students to write down what the Prophet Joseph Smith has done that has helped them come closer to Jesus Christ. They might ask a family member or friend to share their thoughts and feelings as well.
Possible Learning Activities
Delivering the Lord’s people
Consider displaying the images of Joseph in Egypt and of Moses. Ask students to identify how the Lord used each of these individuals as a deliverer (a person who rescues others). Next, show the image of Joseph Smith and ask students how the Lord used him as a deliverer. Finally, show an image of Jesus Christ, the Deliverer, and discuss ways that Jesus Christ delivers us.
After students share their thoughts, use the images and the paragraph below to summarize the events and prophecies in the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 50.
At the end of his life, Joseph of Egypt prophesied that the Lord would raise up two prophets, who are descended from Jacob, to help deliver His people out of bondage. Moses would come to deliver the Israelites out of physical bondage in Egypt (see JST Genesis 50:24, 29). Then, in the latter days, the Lord would deliver His people from spiritual darkness through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
To help students assess what they know and believe about Joseph Smith, consider inviting them to answer the following questions in their study journals.
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What thoughts or feelings come to mind when you think about the Prophet Joseph Smith?
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How would you describe the current state of your testimony that he was called by God to be a prophet?
As you study today, listen for impressions from the Spirit confirming that the Lord called Joseph Smith as a prophet. Heavenly Father can send thoughts to your mind or feelings to your heart through the Holy Ghost telling you that what you are studying is true.
Joseph of Egypt prophesies of Joseph Smith
Invite students to create a blank chart similar to the one below in their study journals. Students may work in pairs or small groups to complete the chart. You could use the information provided in the chart to show how this can be done and help students discover answers as needed.
You might help students locate the Joseph Smith Translation Appendix in their scriptures or in Study Helps in Gospel Library.
You might also remind students that a seer is a revelator and prophet who knows the past, present, and future (see Mosiah 8:17), the “fruit of thy loins” (JST Genesis 50:27) refers to Joseph of Egypt’s posterity or descendants, the writings of Joseph’s seed refers to the Book of Mormon, and the writings of Judah’s seed refers to the Bible (see JST Genesis 50:31).
Read Joseph Smith Translation Genesis 50:26–33 to complete the following chart.
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Prophecy about Joseph Smith (including the verse): |
Possible ways this prophecy was fulfilled: |
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Prophecy about Joseph Smith (including the verse): “He shall be esteemed highly” (verse 27) | Possible ways this prophecy was fulfilled: Millions of believers consider Joseph Smith to be the Prophet of the Restoration. |
Prophecy about Joseph Smith (including the verse): “He shall bring them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers” (verse 28) | Possible ways this prophecy was fulfilled: Through the restored priesthood, we can make covenants with God through baptismal and other ordinances. One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is to bring the House of Israel to a knowledge of the covenants of the Lord. |
Prophecy about Joseph Smith (including the verse): “Unto him will I give power to bring forth my word” (verse 30) | Possible ways this prophecy was fulfilled: The Lord revealed the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Joseph Smith Translation, and other inspired writings through Joseph Smith. |
Prophecy about Joseph Smith (including the verse): “Out of weakness shall he be made strong” (verse 32) | Possible ways this prophecy was fulfilled: From humble beginnings and little formal education, Joseph Smith became a mighty prophet. |
Prophecy about Joseph Smith (including the verse): “They that seek to destroy him shall be confounded” (verse 33) | Possible ways this prophecy was fulfilled: Those who seek to discredit Joseph Smith and his work will be unsuccessful. |
As part of your discussion, you could point out that the phrase “raised up” is used seven times in these verses. Some possible meanings for this phrase are called, chosen, or prepared to do a work that would bring the Lord’s people unto salvation (verse 33). You could also invite students to identify another pattern by marking each time the Lord is the one doing the action, such as “will I raise up” (verse 27) or “will I give power” (verse 30).
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What prophecies stood out to you in these verses? Why?
Among possible truths the students may identify, point out the following: The Lord chose and prepared Joseph Smith to bring forth the Book of Mormon. Invite students to consider writing this truth next to verses 30–33.
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What truths can you identify about the Lord from what you studied about Joseph Smith?
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How do you think the Book of Mormon brings the Lord’s people unto salvation?
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How has the Book of Mormon blessed your life?
Gaining a spiritual witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
Each believer needs a spiritual confirmation of the divine mission and character of the Prophet Joseph Smith. This is true for every generation. (“Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 29–30)
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Why do you think it is important for each of us to receive a spiritual confirmation from Heavenly Father, through the Holy Ghost, about Joseph Smith’s divine mission?
Share the following statement by Elder Andersen or show the video “Joseph Smith” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org from time code 11:44 to 12:48.
Elder Andersen shared two ways we can gain or strengthen our testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
To the youth listening today or reading these words in the days ahead, I give a specific challenge: Gain a personal witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Let your voice help fulfill Moroni’s prophetic words to speak good of the Prophet. Here are two ideas: First, find scriptures in the Book of Mormon that you feel and know are absolutely true. Then share them with family and friends in family home evening, seminary, and your Young Men and Young Women classes, acknowledging that Joseph was an instrument in God’s hands. Next, read the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Pearl of Great Price. … This is Joseph’s own testimony of what actually occurred. Read it often. (“Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 30)
After sharing this statement, invite students to choose one of Elder Andersen’s suggestions to strengthen their personal witness that the Lord called Joseph Smith as a prophet.
Option 1: Find one or more personally meaningful scriptures in the Book of Mormon. Create a picture or write a paragraph highlighting your selection. Include your thoughts and feelings about how the Book of Mormon and its teachings help you learn about and love the Savior. Also include how this helps confirm that Joseph was an instrument in God’s hands.
Option 2: Read Joseph Smith’s testimony as recorded in Joseph Smith History 1:15–20 and the testimony of Joseph Smith recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 135:3. Create a picture or write a paragraph about what you have learned and felt about how the Savior chose and prepared Joseph Smith to be the prophet of the Restoration.
Testify of the Prophet Joseph Smith
When students have completed the activity, invite them to share what they created with a class member.
Then, you might invite a few willing students to testify about how Jesus Christ called Joseph Smith to be a prophet. The following questions can help.
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What have you learned today that has strengthened your testimony of Joseph Smith?
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How does having a testimony of Joseph Smith strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ?
Consider closing with your testimony of the work the Lord performed through Joseph Smith. Invite students to continue to listen for impressions from the Spirit to know for themselves that Jesus Christ called Joseph Smith to be a prophet.