followHIM Podcast: Genesis 42–50, Part 2

Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. Stephen Smoot
Date: March 12, 2026
Episode Focus: Exploring Genesis 46–50 with Dr. Stephen Smoot, focusing on the journey of Jacob’s family to Egypt, the blessings of Jacob, covenant adoption, the gathering of Israel, and deep literary and doctrinal insights.

Episode Overview

This episode continues an in-depth exploration of Genesis, with Dr. Stephen Smoot guiding listeners through the latter chapters (46–50). The conversation centers on narrative, doctrinal, and literary aspects of Israel’s migration to Egypt, Jacob’s blessings to his sons (especially Ephraim and Manasseh), the themes of covenant inclusion and adoption, and the lasting resonance of these stories for Latter-day Saint doctrine and community. The discussion balances ancient history, scriptural patterns, and modern faith application, while spotlighting the recurring motif of God’s ability to work through imperfect families and bring about reconciliation and purpose.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jacob’s Journey to Egypt and Divine Reassurance

Timestamp: 00:09–03:30

• Divine Comfort to Jacob: Jacob (Israel), anxious about moving his family to Egypt, receives a nighttime vision in which God reassures him, echoing the Abrahamic covenant:

  "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt… I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again. And Joseph’s own hand shall close your eyes." (Dr. Smoot, 00:30)

• Modern Application: Dr. Smoot compares personal journeys into "Egypt" (life changes, missions, hardships) to Jacob’s story, assuring listeners that God’s presence and blessings accompany such transitions:

  "If you in your personal life are feeling… intimidated to go down into whatever your personal Egypt might be… you can take with you this reassurance." (00:55)

• Covenant Bookkeeping: The list of those entering Egypt is more than genealogy—it shows God cares for individuals:

  "Your name is not forgotten. Your name matters, you matter as an individual." (Dr. Smoot, 02:00)

2. Joseph’s Land Policy and Historical Context

Timestamp: 03:30–07:12

• Land and Famine in Egypt: Joseph’s centralized management in Egypt—purchasing land for Pharaoh—raises questions about ancient economics:

  "It’s really common during disaster economics to want to engage in top down centralization from the government… The state is going to organize the farming and the granaries and the taxation on the farms." (Dr. Smoot, 05:00)

• Slavery Explanation: Clarifies that "slavery" in this text is not chattel slavery but a context-specific arrangement for survival and taxation.

3. Patriarchal and Father’s Blessings: Jacob Blesses His Descendants

Timestamp: 07:27–15:24

• Jacob as Patriarch: Parallels drawn to Lehi blessing his children; the episode discusses the concept of patriarchal and father’s blessings in the Latter-day Saint tradition.
• Blessings as Latter-day Application: Dr. Smoot reads from the Church Handbook about priesthood blessings, underlining their importance in times of need.
• Ephraim and Manasseh’s Adoption:
  • Both sons are half-Egyptian, highlighting the importance of adoption into the covenant:

    "They need to be adopted into this covenant… that's important for them." (Dr. Smoot, 10:54)

  • The actual blessing scene: Jacob intentionally crosses his hands to bless the younger, Ephraim, over Manasseh, echoing a scriptural motif of the younger surpassing the elder (e.g., Nephi/Book of Mormon).

4. Covenant Adoption and Universal Blessings

Timestamp: 15:40–21:25

• Inclusivity in Covenant:

  • Powerful reassurance that lineage, culture, or ethnicity do not limit covenant blessings:

    "You are as much a Covenant member of the House of Israel if you do not grow up on the Wasatch front… This is a powerful reminder that the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant are available to everybody… by lineal descent… or through adoption..." (Dr. Smoot, 16:20)

  • John and Hank emphasize the church’s growth and diverse membership.

• Covenant Responsibility:

  "With great covenant blessings comes great covenant responsibility." (Dr. Smoot, 21:25)

• Role of Ephraim and Manasseh:

  • Ephraim’s prophesied leadership in Israel’s history and in Latter-day Saint identity.
  • Manasseh’s line preserved in the Book of Mormon, suggesting all tribes have vital roles.

5. The Gathering of Israel

Timestamp: 24:55–32:10

• Modern Gathering Fulfillment:
  • Emotional story (shared by Dr. Smoot from his wife Amberly) of 12 tribes being represented in a small Ukrainian chapel (26:22–29:01):

    "What I felt in that moment was… weighty, sacred, ancient. It felt as though something long promised had briefly become visible. Prophecy unfolding not on a world stage, but in a quiet room…"

  • President Nelson’s repeated emphasis that the gathering of Israel is the “most important thing taking place on the earth today.” (29:20–31:50)

    “…There is nothing happening on this earth now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing.” (President Nelson, quoted by John, 31:00)

6. Jacob’s Blessings (Genesis 49): Literary Artistry and Prophecy

Timestamp: 32:10–38:37

• Archaic Hebrew Poetry:
  • Genesis 49’s blessings are ancient poetry filled with wordplay connected to each son’s name.
    • Judah: Name echoes the Hebrew for “praise”; “Judah, you are the praise of your brothers…” (Dr. Smoot, 34:35)
    • Dan: The “judge” will “judge his people.” (Dan Yadin Amo)
    • Gad: Alliterative tongue-twister: “Gad, Gadud Yagudenu Vahu Yagud Okev.” (36:37)
    • Joseph: Name means “to multiply”; blessing centers on fruitfulness, connected to Book of Mormon prophecy about preserved seed.

7. Joseph’s and Jacob’s Deaths and JST Genesis 50

Timestamp: 38:48–45:52

• Death Rites and Burial:
  • Both Jacob and Joseph are embalmed—“the Rolls Royce red carpet treatment”—tying Latter-day Saints to ancient traditions.
• Reconciliation and Forgiveness:
  • Joseph’s brothers fear retribution after Jacob’s death; Joseph forgives them:

    “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good…” (Dr. Smoot, 41:32)

• JST (Joseph Smith Translation) Genesis 50:
  • JST adds a prophecy about a “choice seer” (interpreted as Joseph Smith), the Book of Mormon, and the unity of the records of Judah and Joseph:

    “The fruit of thy loins shall write, and … the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write, and … [they] shall grow together…” (Dr. Smoot, 44:39)

8. Imperfect Families and God’s Purposes

Timestamp: 48:47–53:06

• God’s Chosen Family is Messy:
  • Reassurance that the family of Israel (and Lehi’s, and even the Smiths) was far from perfect:

    “We sometimes want to turn scripture characters into superheroes… What you find out is they were real people, real men and women. They had sometimes very messy lives…” (Dr. Smoot, 50:24)

• Grace for Modern Families:
  • Abraham and Lehi were still covenant people despite wayward children.
  • Reconciliation modeled in Joseph’s forgiveness, Jacob and Esau’s reunion, and the ongoing work in messy, imperfect relationships.

9. Christ Throughout Genesis: Types, Shadows, and Redemption

Timestamp: 53:10–63:41

• Type of Christ in Joseph:
  • The motif of forgiveness, divine purpose in suffering, and Christlike comfort in Joseph’s final words to his brothers.
• Personal Story of the Atonement:
  • John shares a heartfelt, modern application: a story of forgiveness in a family marked by real pain, likening it to Christ’s forgiveness (56:59–61:43).
• Dr. Smoot’s Closing Testimony:

  “I see Jesus Christ on almost every page in the book of Genesis… He makes a covenant with Abraham and his children—He is there explicitly on the pages as the Lord Jehovah stepping in to deal with His children… If you will let the Spirit illuminate you, you will see Jesus Christ there as well as I have.” (Dr. Smoot, 61:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• God’s Reassurance to the Fearful:

  "Be not afraid to go down to Egypt. I will go there with you." (Dr. Smoot, 00:30)

• Adoption and Covenant Belonging:

  “You do not have to come from pioneer ancestry… You are as much a Covenant member of the House of Israel if you do not grow up on the Wasatch front… This is a powerful reminder that the blessings… are available to everybody.” (Dr. Smoot, 16:20)

• On Messy Families:

  “Read the Bible. Read the Book of Mormon… Having a dysfunctional family… is not any sign… that you are less righteous… Abraham was no less Abraham because he had kids and grandkids that were dysfunctional.” (Dr. Smoot, 50:24, 51:07)

• Christ’s Forgiveness through Joseph’s Story:

  “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good…” (Dr. Smoot, 41:32)

• President Nelson (on the Gathering of Israel):

  “There is nothing happening on this earth now that is more important than [the gathering of Israel]. Nothing else compares in magnitude… Nothing. This gathering should mean everything to you.” (Quoted by John, 31:00)

• Christ in Genesis:

  “I see Jesus Christ on almost every page in the book of Genesis… more than just old stories… If you will let the Spirit illuminate you, you will see Jesus Christ there…” (Dr. Smoot, 61:43)

Important Timestamps

• 00:09 – Jacob’s vision and reassurance; covenant “bookkeeping”
• 03:30 – Joseph’s land policy and context of famine in Egypt
• 07:27 – Jacob’s patriarchal blessings, parallels to Lehi, and priesthood blessings today
• 10:54 – Adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh, significance of covenant belonging
• 15:40 – Universal reach of Abrahamic covenant; modern church applications
• 21:25 – Roles of Ephraim, Manasseh, and covenant responsibility
• 26:22 – Amberly Smoot’s story: all 12 tribes in Ukraine chapel
• 29:20 – President Nelson on the gathering of Israel
• 32:10 – Jacob’s poetic blessings, literary artistry, play on names
• 38:48 – Joseph’s and Jacob’s deaths, embalming, and family reconciliation
• 44:39 – JST Genesis 50: prophecy of Joseph Smith, unity of records
• 50:24 – Realistic view of scriptural families, encouragement for modern families
• 56:59 – Modern parable of forgiveness: David Christensen’s family story
• 61:43 – Dr. Smoot’s testimony of Christ in Genesis

Final Thoughts

This episode richly blends ancient scriptural context with modern doctrine and lived faith, inviting listeners to see themselves in the ongoing story of covenant, reconciliation, and gathering. It explicitly affirms that God’s grace and promises extend to all, regardless of ancestry or imperfection, and that the story of Genesis is ultimately a story of Christ’s presence, redemption, and the binding power of covenants for families across all ages and nations.