To Ephraim and Manasseh

By Sharon Price Anderson

Sharon Price Anderson, "To Ephraim and Manasseh," Ensign, Feb. 2004, 15
Remember ...
      ... youthful Joseph,
     elect and birthright blessed,
     despised by his brethren.
     Jealous of the coat
     when obedient he came,
     they conspired and cast him
     struggling and stripped
     into the pit nor heard
     the anguished pleadings
     of his soul but sold him
     into Egypt as a slave.

      ... faithful Joseph,
     honorable and pure,
     prospered of the Lord
     in Potiphar's house.
     He would not defile his
     master's bed, hearkened
     not to temptation's
     persistent voice, refused
     such wickedness and fled.

      ... fruitful Joseph,
     wise and discreet.
     Knowing dreams and plan of God,
     he gathered from plenty corn and
     wheat to save his father's house.
     In dearth his brethren came
     seeking bread of life,
     and Joseph, forgiving,
     nourished them
     without money, gold, or price
     and preserved by great
     deliverance posterity of promise.

     Again the famine waxes sore;
     many hunger for truth and right.
     The waning world wants
     purpose, courage, honor,
     knowledge, mercy, life.
     Know that you have bread
     to fill the need.
     Remember, oh, remember,
     you are Joseph's seed!

[photo] Photography by Craig Dimond



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