The following chart helps explain the specific prophecies that Joseph of Egypt made regarding the Prophet Joseph Smith and their subsequent fulfillment:
Prophecy in 2 Nephi 3 | Possible Fulfillments |
“A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins” (verse 6). | The Lord said Joseph Smith Jr. was to “be called a seer, a translator, a prophet” (D&C 21:1) and that Joseph was appointed to stand at the head of this dispensation (see D&C 110:16; 112:32). |
“He shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins” (verse 7). | There are millions of descendants of the Book of Mormon people who recognize Joseph Smith as the prophet of the Restoration. |
“He shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins … , which shall be of great worth unto them” (verse 7). | Many of the children of Lehi have been blessed by the light of the gospel that was restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. |
“He shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him” (verse 8). | Joseph Smith’s life focused upon doing the will of the Lord. For example, in the beginning of his ministry he was commanded to translate the Book of Mormon: “And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the first gift that I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will grant unto you no other gift until it is finished” (D&C 5:4). |
“He shall be great like unto Moses” (verse 9). | Moses gathered Israel from Egypt to the promised land. Joseph Smith was given keys by Moses to gather Israel: “Therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man, who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel” (D&C 103:16). This is one of many ways that Joseph was like Moses. |
“I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins” (verse 11). | Joseph Smith translated and gave the children of Lehi the record of their ancestors (see D&C 3; 5; 10), as well as many other revelations. |
“The fruit of thy loins … shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines” (verse 12) | The Book of Mormon and other modern revelations give plain and authoritative clarification on many principles and doctrines of the gospel in the Bible (see D&C 20:8–15; 42:12). |
“Out of weakness he shall be made strong” (verse 13). | A humble farm boy became the prophet of the Restoration. |
“They that seek to destroy him shall be confounded” (verse 14). | As promised by the Lord (see 3 Nephi 21:10), the Prophet Joseph Smith was preserved until he had accomplished his mission (see D&C 121:16–22). |
“His name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father” (verse 15). | Joseph Smith Jr., the third son of Joseph Smith Sr., was named after his father (see Joseph Smith—History 1:4). |
“For the thing [the gospel and its ordinances], which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation” (verse 15). | It is through the Restoration of the Church and the Lord’s ordinances that the Prophet Joseph Smith showed us how to obtain eternal life. |