2 Nephi 3

Imagine the Prophet Joseph Smith as he translated this particular portion of the Book of Mormon.  Through it he discovered that he was the one of whom it had been prophesied by Joseph of old, the same Joseph that was sold into Egypt by his brothers, and the same Joseph who forgave them and became a blessing to them.  Joseph, son of Jacob, or Israel, prophesied of Moses, who the Lord God would raise up to deliver His people from bondage in Egypt.  But his prophecies did not end there.

Joseph peered far into the future to see the restoration of the Gospel in the last days.  But these are the words that Lehi spoke to his son Joseph, the words that were recorded by Nephi.  Where did Lehi get these prophecies?  Were they not part of the brass plates in which Lehi also discovered that he was a descendent of Joseph in Egypt?  Joseph in Egypt foresaw Moses, Lehi, and the Last Days.  He was a seer who prophesied of other seers to come, including Moses and Joseph Smith.

It is well to ponder the description of the Prophet Joseph Smith in this prophecy from Joseph who was sold into Egypt:

"And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren." (2 Ne. 3:24)

But why would Lehi teach his youngest son Joseph of these things?  Why did they matter to him?  Why would Nephi record them?  These prophecies were given long before Lehi and his family left Jerusalem, and long before Joseph Smith was born.  But the Lord knew, and knows all things, and His work and glory is not limited by man's reason or by any other thing.  

Joseph Smith, the prophet and seer, was an instrument in the hands of God to bring to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel.  He did that which was great in the sight of God, working mighty wonders, with exceeding faith, and doing much good.  As John Taylor put it:

"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!" (D&C 135:3)

Joseph smith lived for approximately 14 more years after the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon contains revelation for all of God's children in the last days, but certainly the Book of Mormon, and the process of translation, helped Joseph Smith to understand the work that the Lord had given him to do.  The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and the central purpose of the Book is to testify of Jesus Christ.  But the Book of Mormon also provides witnesses to testify of Joseph Smith, who was a witness of Jesus Christ and a martyr for the Lord's cause.