The chapters about Joseph that we studied this week reinforced principles I already have a great faith in and enormous passion for into the forethought of my brain. Forgiveness moves us forward.
Genesis 42 begins with a famine that requires Jacob’s family to move to be able to survive. They move the family to Egypt. Joseph, who came to Egypt many years early and who has built a successful life for himself and his family, recognizes the brothers who had sold him into slavery, but they do not recognize him. How will they confront the past? How could Joseph forgive his brothers? Should they confront the past? How could they regain his trust? How can they learn to trust him? Can they move forward as a family and heal?
Some might feel Joseph is not fair in how he began the connections and encounters with his brothers and the rest of his family. Yet, the situation brings to light responsibility and change as the brothers experience accusations, imprisonment, and demands for the youngest brother to be brought to Egypt. These interactions provided opportunities for self reflection and reflected the reconciliation rituals that were common in the ancient world. In their traditions truth, accountability, and demonstration of change behavior preceded restoration.
Judah ultimately steps forward on behalf of Benjamin (Genesis 44:18-34). He accepts responsibility for his brother. He offers himself in place of his brother. His actions are in great contrast to his previous behavior when Joseph had been stripped, thrown in a pit and sold as a slave.
Joseph then reveals his identity to his brothers as he frames the past through a divine purpose (Genesis 45:5-7). With weeping, and kisses, he offers love and forgiveness and urges them to forgive themselves (Genesis 45:1-15). What follows is a glorious reunion, relocation, and provisions for the future success of the family. The family moves forward, secured through honesty, forgiveness, and their covenant community.
I see great lessons in this story – for myself and for my family. I see how God transforms trials and harm and wrongs into the preservation of a nation, of a family. I see that God’s love works through truth and honesty rather than avoidance and denial. I see that God allows past wrongs to be named so that healing can occur.
This is hard. No one likes to air dirty laundry. No one is jumping up and down to discuss and relive past pain. However, I can see that naming the issue brings responsibility and ownership. That leads to the opportunity to then let it go.
Suffering becomes a means of deliverance.
God’s purposes and love encompasses our human failures without excusing your behavior.
Accountability and responsibility remain essential.
God’s work holds justice, mercy, and progress together.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot this week. I’ve been pondering how forgiveness on my part isn’t about pardoning behavior. It is trust in God’s grace and mercy – for me and for others. I’ve been pondering how forgiveness allows me to see myself and others with new eyes – God’s eyes. I am pondering how living a covenant life includes having the courage to face the truth and allowing God to help me work a change in myself and a change in others.
Forgiveness grows from honesty and responsibility. Forgiveness seeks preservation rather than revenge. Forgiveness is trusting that God can weave redemption through painful histories.
We all have things that we regret in our lives. Guilt can serve as a motivation for change. THen it is time to put it down. When regret leads to genuine change (through grace and mercy of the Savior), it is time to let it go. Enos wrestled and struggled for hours seeking a remission of his sins. THen, God said to him, “Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed,” and he immediately felt peace. Peace was a direct result of his faith and repentance. He said, “I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away (Enos 1:4-6). Enos let go. He did not keep his guilt for a rainy day. He didn’t keep guilt tucked away for the next time he “sinned.” He trusted God. He let go.
Elder Patrick Kearon taught, “New beginnings are at the heart of the Father’s plan! Fresh starts are the mission of the Son! New dawns, new chapters, and new chances are the simple core of the gospel’s good news!… (Jesus Christ and Your New Beginning, Oct. 2025 Gen Con.).
Today I will choose not to grieve nor be angry with myself. Today I will trust Jesus. Today I will believe in new beginnings for myself, my family, and for others who may harm me through rude or thoughtless, or intentional behavior. Today I will believe in the Savior;s ability to set things right in my life and in the lives of my family. Today I will name past mistakes, confront them with the love of Christ and let them go. Today I will avoid obsessing over past mistakes and choose to look forward with a steadfastness in Christ looking toward a bright and glorious future.
Resigning as the General Manager of the Universe 