When Jesus appeared to the Nephites and the Lamanites, He urged them to build unity. “There shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been,” He directed (3 Nephi 11:28). Later, when He learned that people were arguing about the name of the church, He asked, “Why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing?” (3 Nephi 27:4). The people responded to these invitations and learned to live in peace. “There was no contention among all the people, in all the land” for many years (4 Nephi 1:13).
Genesis 42-50 is a story of familial reconciliation. How did Joseph forgive his brothers? How did they regain his trust? How did they learn to trust him?
Long before his brothers recognized him, Joseph watched their behavior. He listened to conversations that they didn’t realize he could understand. (See Genesis 42:21-23.) He placed them in uncomfortable circumstances to see if they would act with integrity (Genesis 42:25-28, 35). Most poignantly, he saw his brother Judah, who had originated the idea to sell Joseph into slavery, offering to become a slave himself to spare the freedom of their youngest brother (Genesis 37:26-27; Genesis 44:18-34).
After that magnanimous offer, Joseph revealed his identity to them, weeping openly, kissing them, and urging them to forgive themselves (Genesis 45:1-15). When their father, Jacob (also known as Israel), saw Joseph, he said, “Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive” (Genesis 46:30). He thought he had reached the pinnacle of joy, but there was more joy to be felt as he became acquainted with Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. “I had not thought to see thy face,” he said to Joseph, “and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed” (Genesis 48:11).
Before his death, Jacob blessed each of his sons (Genesis 49). He charged Joseph with transporting his body back home so he could be buried with his parents, his grandparents, and his wife Leah (Genesis 49:28-33). Joseph fulfilled that request, and so Israel in the end “was gathered unto his people” (Genesis 49:33).
As we study this miraculous reconciliation in Israel’s family this week, let’s look for lessons that can help us heal relationships within our own families and beyond.
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