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I enjoyed your article on the gathering prophecies in 3 Nephi. It seems that the Savior wanted to emphasize the gathering of Israel since he repeated the key concepts about the gathering in his sermons recorded in chapters 16, 20, and 21. Thank you for highlighting the meaning of the name “Joseph” in connection with the teachings about the gathering in those chapters.
Regarding the marred servant of 3 Nephi 21:10, I agree that it appears to refer to Joseph Smith. President Jeffrey R. Holland also identifies the marred servant as Joseph Smith. See Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon, 287-88. Footnote a to the word “marred” in 3 Ne. 21:10 cites D&C 135:1–3, which tells of Joseph Smith’s death. One wonders if, as suggested by the footnote, Joseph was marred when he was martyred, how he has been, or will be, “healed” as verse 10 foretells. Perhaps that healing will happen when Joseph is resurrected.
Thank you again for the fine analysis of the name “Joseph,” which you have explored in this and in your other Interpreter articles.
Thank you, Martin, for your great comment and kind words! And you are most welcome! 🙂
Matt
Thank you for writing this and other works on Joseph. For me you have painted a picture of a tireless Father who promises, “Again, I will reach out to you again.” It seems like the ultimate proof of love.
I had not realized Joseph’s children were “separated” not “scattered” per se. I’ll keep an eye on that.
In the context of what you are saying, it appears Mormon bookends Christ’s ministry among the Nephites with allusions to Joseph and latter-day redemption. It appears the actions in the latter days (will) make us characterize the Lamanites as filling a Joseph-like role.
Having highlighted that, it appears Christ is telling the Nephite apostles, “ye are a light unto this (latter-day) people, who are a remnant of the house of Joseph” and refers to a latter-day people. I am wondering if you agree “this people” in that setting are the modern Lamanites? Perhaps a light indirectly? So little of their words are had.
Also, because of how it seems the Nephites and Lamanites accepted Joseph’s legacy I wondered about other branches. I found a surprisingly favorable view of Joseph in the Book of Jubilees. It strongly associates Joseph and Yom Kippur and thereby makes Joseph more of a Christ-like figure.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/346175
Perhaps close analysis like Jeff Lindsay did for the Book of Moses will suggest what textual tradition was on the Brass Plates.
Thank you for your work. I cannot read the word “again” without feeling God’s love.