The Lord Was With Joseph

Gathered in this post are resources to help you teach your family not only the stories of the people in the Old Testament but also the doctrine and principles found in the study block for the Come, Follow Me reading of Genesis 37-41. There are resources for children, youth, and adults. Every resource linked to is free! Most links are to church websites or websites approved for further gospel study. Choose on thing a day to do with your family or a couple to do for family home evening. Enjoy!

Everyone

Video – The Other Prodigal Son – Jeffrey R. Holland shares the story of the older brother of the prodigal son. In this parable, we are reminded that “”no one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. He loves each of us—insecurities, anxieties, self-image, and all.”” (6:09 minutes)

Video – Temptation Fades as We Seek Christ in Every Thought – Yielding to temptation is like a magnet approaching a metal object, says Elder Ulisses Soares. As it draws closer, the magnet’s invisible force attracts the metal object and holds it tightly but loses power over the object when it is placed outside its power to attract. (3:05 minutes)

Primary Children

Activity – Joseph – Scripture figures to help retell the story of Joseph

Activity – Scripture Hero Cards: Joseph – Learn more about Joseph

Story – Joseph, Jacob’s Son – A Rebus story that your children can read with you!

Story – Joseph Trusted God – A retelling for young children about Joseph of Egypt and how he was blessed for trusting in God. 

Video – Joseph’s Inspired Dreams – Old Testament Stories

Video – Joseph in Egypt – Old Testament Stories

Video – Joseph – Old Testament Scripture Stories Reader

Video – Joseph in Egypt – Old Testament Scripture Stories Reader

I can be kind to my family. Genesis 37

Activity – I Can Be Kind to My Family – Color and draw

Lesson – Joseph was Sold into Egypt – Old Testament Primary Manual

Story – Cake and Kindness – How could Juli be kind to her aunt when she could barely talk with her?

Story – Joseph, Son of Israel (Part 1) – An illustrated retelling of the story of Joseph’s brothers being angry and selling him into slavery.

Video – Nice Cream – God gives us families to help us become more like Him. What can you do to help yours? (39 seconds)

I can be happy when good things happen to others. Genesis 37:3-28

Article – Why is it Important to Not be Jealous of Others? – Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares some thoughts on this subject.

God can help me when bad things happen. If I am faithful, God will help me during difficult times. Genesis 37:18-28; 39:1-3, 20-23; 41:1-3

Activity – Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors – Color and find activity

Activity – Heavenly Father will Help Me Through Hard Times – Coloring Page

Activity – I Can Overcome Challenges – Coloring page

Article – Overcoming Your Challenges – I promise that Heavenly Father will help you overcome your challenges. He loves you and will help you become what He wants you to become. A story from Dallin H. Oaks.

Lesson – Joseph in Egypt – Old Testament Primary Manual

Story – Joseph Prepares for Hard Times – A scripture retelling for young readers.

Video – Recognizing Revelation – Sometimes when we pray, it can be hard to know what Heavenly Father is trying to tell us. Ashlee must learn the difference between her own feelings and the peace that comes from the Holy Ghost. Jesus Christ promises us peace to guide us through life. (5:16 minutes)

With the Lord’s help, I can flee temptation. Genesis 39:7-12

Activity – Joseph in Egypt – Maze

Article – Always Ready – Jeffrey tells of the many temptations he had throughout his day and what helped him choose the right.

Article – God’s Power Within You – Gordon B. Hinckley teaches about facing and overcoming temptations.

God can warn me of danger. Genesis 41:15-36, 47-57

Story – Fire! – Cheryl A. Esplin listened to promptings from the Holy Ghost to save her brother from a fire.

Story – Heeding the Holy Ghost – When President Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) was a boy he heard a voice warning him not to climb the fence and play in some old buildings.

Story – Listening to the Spirit – President Wilford Woodruff (1807-1898) saved his family’s lives when he listened to the Holy Ghost.

Story – Bullfight – Brody H., age 10, shares how a prompting from the Holy Ghost kept him safe on his family’s cattle ranch.

Sunday School – Youth and Adults

Article – Similarities between Joseph of Egypt and Jesus Christ – The Old Testament contains many prophecies, stories, and symbols that foreshadow the life and mission of the Savior, Jesus Christ. One of these stories is that of Joseph of Egypt.

Article – Genesis 37-50: Joseph: The Power of Preparation – Old Testament Institute Manual

“The Lord was with Joseph” in his adversity. Genesis 37:1-28; 39; 40:1-19; 41:9-45

Article – Be of Good Cheer and Faithful in Adversity – The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us the strength and the eternal perspective to face what is coming with good cheer.

Article – Adversity and You – Adversity will surface in some form in every life. How we prepare for it, how we meet it, makes the difference. We can be broken by adversity, or we can become stronger. The final result is up to the individual.

Video – Joseph’s Ceremonial Robe – Book of Mormon Central (10:50 minutes)

Video – Joseph is Sold Into Egypt – Book of Mormon Central (3:05 minutes)

If I am faithful, the Lord will guide and inspire me. Genesis 37:5-11; 40; 41:1-48

Article – Spiritual Capacity – As Jesus Christ’s faithful disciple, you can receive personal inspiration and revelation, consistent with His commandments, that is tailored to you.

Video – Joseph is Cast into Prison – Book of Mormon Central (3:55 minutes)

With the Lord’s help, I can flee temptation. Genesis 38: 39:7-20

Article – Why Are the Stories of Joseph and Judah Intertwined? – The careful reader will notice significant parallels in the stories of Joseph and Judah. For example, in both chapter 37 and 38 “a man is asked to ‘recognize’ objects,” [the kid of a goat] is used, and … a brother is betrayed.” From The Interpreter Foundation

Article – Becoming Men in Whom the Spirit of God Is – The Lord is bound by solemn covenant to bless our lives according to our faithfulness. Only He can turn us into men in whom the Spirit of God, namely the Holy Ghost, is.

Video – Tamar’s Story in the Bible – Book of Mormon Central (7:32 minutes)

Video – Joseph Resists Potiphar’s Wife – Book of Mormon Central (3:56 minutes)

Video – Chastity: What are the limits? – Latter-day Saint teens are counseled to stay sexually pure, but what exactly are the limits? Using teachings of modern prophets, this presentation shows how we can find happiness and peace through staying chaste. (3:59 minutes)

We should prepare for possible hardships. Genesis 41:15-57

Article – To the Boys and to the Men – I am suggesting that the time has come to get our houses in order. A General Conference talk by Gordon B. Hinckley.

Video – Joseph and Pharoah’s Dream – Book of Mormon Central (6:17 minutes)

Video – Pharaoh’s Butler – Book of Mormon Central (5:36 minutes)

Video – Joplin Saints Talk About Preparation – Leaders and members from Joplin, Missouri talk about what ‘being prepared’ means for their lives. (3:40 minutes)

Video – A Flood of Rescuers – Emergency preparedness can allow you to be ready and to help others when disaster strikes. Follow these volunteers as they assist and rescue others in flooded areas after Hurricane Harvey. (3:43 minutes)

Youth Doctrinal Topics

How Can I Respond to Adversity with Faith? Genesis 37-41

Article – Turn to the Lord – We cannot control all that happens to us, but we have absolute control over how we respond to the changes in our lives.

Video – All I Needed – God expects us to be self reliant and give our all. In turn, He will help us in times of need with what we need. (1:44 minutes)

Video – Bearing Our Burdens with Hope – Being happy does not always mean being without hardship. Sometimes it means just the opposite. That principle is brought to life in this story of a young husband who is only able to make it home safely after his load grows much heavier. (8:46 minutes)

Video – After the Storm – Maylene has endured many storms in her life, but it was in the wake of the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma, tornado that she found the strength to truly rebuild her faith. (5:25 minutes)

Adults

Article – Personal Integrity – It means being righteous from the very depth of our soul, not only in our actions but, more importantly, in our thoughts and in our hearts. Personal integrity implies such trustworthiness and incorruptibility that we are incapable of being false to a trust or covenant.

Article – The Story of Judah and Tamar – Gospel teachers often choose to pass over the story of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38, but it is filled with internal and external contrast, irony, and wordplay, and it has important things to teach us. BYU Religious Studies Center

Article – Quiet Slumber: Revelation through Dreams –  There are scriptural accounts, diaries, journals, and personal writings noting the intervention of God through inspired dreams. They witness that God does know who we are and that he desires to help lead us through this mortal experience. BYU Religious Studies Center

Podcast – Follow Him: Genesis 37-41 part 1 (video link) – How was the Lord with Joseph through times of trial? Dr. Lili Anderson teaches why this life isn’t fair, how Joseph responded to hardship, and how we can choose to receive all He wants to give us as we become antifragile. Find the audio for this episode here.

Podcast – Follow Him: Genesis 37-41 part 2 (video link) – Dr. Anderson returns to discuss the timing of blessings, how sometimes the wicked seem to prosper, how spiritual blessings can come from the darkest times, and how all will be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Find the audio for this episode here.

Podcast – Audio Roundtable: Genesis 37-41 – from The Interpreter Foundation

Video – Discussions on the Old Testament: Jacob and His Family – Study the life of Jacob and the growth of his family which would become the beginnings of the house of Israel. BYUtv (27:29 minutes)

Video – Discussion on the Old Testament: Joseph – Remember the grueling trials and boundless achievements Joseph experienced under the watchful guidance of the Lord. BYUtv (27:29 minutes)

Video – Come Follow Me Insights: Joseph in Egypt – What is the gift of Joseph? What about the coat of many colors? Watch this week’s episode to learn about the incredible story of Joseph in Egypt and his rise to second in command. Book of Mormon Central (1:05:29 minutes)

Video – Come Follow Up: Genesis 37-41 – Come Follow Up host Ben Lomu meets with Old Testament scholar Patrick Mason, as well as special guest Kevin Shafer, to discuss the strife that divided Joseph and his brothers, as well as the presence of the Lord in Joseph’s adversity. Also discussed are Joseph’s confidence in God, and how we can develop the same confidence. (54:46 minutes)