While Jacob was traveling from Canaan to the land of his kindred, he stopped to rest for the night and had a remarkable dream of a ladder that reached up into heaven (Genesis 28:10–19; see the fourth additional teaching idea in lesson 10). Jacob named this place Bethel, which means “house of God” (Genesis 28:19; see footnote 19a). What place has the same name today? (The temple, which is called the house of the Lord.)
Elder Marion G. Romney said of this dream: “Jacob realized that the covenants he made with the Lord … were the rungs on the ladder that he himself would have to climb in order to obtain the promised blessings—blessings that would entitle him to enter heaven and associate with the Lord” (“Temples—The Gates to Heaven,” Ensign, Mar. 1971, 16).
Lesson 12: Fruitful in the Land of My Affliction
To help class members understand that if we are faithful and obedient, God will consecrate our afflictions for our good.
From Lesson 11:
Elder Hartman Rector Jr. explained: “[The] ability to turn everything into something good appears to be a godly characteristic. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph, although a slave and wholly undeserving of this fate, nevertheless remained faithful to the Lord and continued to live the commandments and made something very good of his degrading circumstances. People like this cannot be defeated” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1972, 170; or Ensign, Jan. 1973, 130).
Ask class members to imagine that they have died and entered the spirit world and are now reviewing their experiences in mortality. Explain that you will ask four questions to help them think about how adversity has shaped their lives. After asking all four questions, invite class members to comment on whichever questions they want.
- • What were some of the trials you faced in mortal life?
- • What lessons have you learned from life’s trials?
- • If you could live your life over, what would you change about the way you dealt with your trials?
- • How could you have taken better advantage of life’s experiences?
1. Joseph interprets the dreams of the butler, the baker, and Pharaoh. Pharaoh makes Joseph ruler over all Egypt.
God lets us know what is coming through prophets and will give us personal revelation as needed and sought.
2. Joseph makes himself known to his brothers and forgives them.
Additional:
1. The great latter-day Joseph
2. Preparing for famine
3. Joseph’s sons
Posters:
Genesis
40 - 45
“Fruitful in the Land of My Affliction”
If we are faithful and obedient,
Fleeing from evil
Faithful
while
Facing Trials
Forgiving
Giving God the Credit
