Forgiveness Brings Blessings

Genesis 42-50 | March 14-20

There was a terrible famine in the land, and Joseph’s brothers heard that there was food in Egypt. They traveled to Egypt to buy grain. While they were in Egypt they met Joseph, but they didn’t know it was him. Joseph decided to test the hearts of his brothers before revealing his identity. He asked them to go back home and get their youngest brother, Benjamin. Jacob, their father, didn’t want to send Benjamin with them because of what had happened to Joseph, but he eventually agreed to let Benjamin go.

When the brothers arrived back in Egypt Joseph held a great feast with them. At the end of the visit a silver cup was placed in Benjamin’s bag. On their way home Egyptian guards caught them and found the silver cup. Benjamin was accused of theft and his punishment was to remain as a slave in Egypt. Judah offered to take Benjamin’s place.

Joseph was now convinced that his brothers had changed their hearts. He freely forgave them and invited them and his entire family to live with them in Egypt where they were preserved from the famine. Joseph patiently bore what his brothers had done to him without seeking revenge. He knew that God had sent him to Egypt to help his family.

Watch

WATCH THE VIDEO >

Read and Discuss

Scripture

Genesis 45:4–5

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.”

Questions

How did Joseph’s brothers show that they had repented?
How did Joseph show his forgiveness?
Why is it important to forgive others?
How does forgiveness help the person who forgives? How does it help the person who is forgiven?

Quote

“A spirit of forgiveness and an attitude of love and compassion toward those who may have wronged us is of the very essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each of us has need of this spirit…The Lord taught it in the time of his agony on the cross of Calvary, with vile and hateful accusers before him, those who had brought him to this terrible crucifixion, he cried out, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.ʼ (Luke 23:34.)ʼ None of us is called on to forgive so generously, but each of us is under a divinely spoken obligation to reach out with pardon and mercy.” President Gordon B. HinckleyGET THE FULL LESSON >

View past lessons & resources on our website.

More Resources

Activity

Joseph Forgives

Dress up like Joseph while you learn about repentance and forgiveness and how we can find peace through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Treat

Biblical-style Unleavened Bread

After buying grain from Egypt, Josephʼs brothers, might have made unleavened bread during the famine, because of the meager ingredients it calls for. Serve yours warm with honey butter or jam.