We Are Woven into the Coat of Many Colors

I love the story of Joseph with his coat of many colors. In many ways Joseph’s relationship with his brothers seems similar to that of Nephi and his brothers in the Book of Mormon. Recently, my understanding of both stories have been greatly expanded as I have studied more about covenants.  In both scenarios, the conflict and resentment from the older brothers were based on greed for praise and material things that lead to their murderous intentions. Both sets of older brothers overlooked the greater promised blessings from God through covenants because they never took the time to learn and understand them, therefore they didn’t appreciate them nor become worthy to obtain them. I wondered how often we feel this similar righteous indignation as we compare ourselves with others when it comes to blessings from God.

Last week, as I was teaching our missionaries about robes and garments representing covenants with God, I thought of Joseph and his coat of many colors.  It represented the covenantal blessings of his fathers and how through him and his posterity, the gathering of Israel would be led in the latter days.  I then looked at our many missionaries and saw how they themselves have been gathered together from dozens of nations. Most, if not all, are descendants or adopted into the tribes of Ephriam and Menassa -– the sons of Joseph through which the birthright was promised. I then thought about how our missionaries were represented in the many colors of Joseph’s coat long ago. They have been gathered and now they work to gather more people and add more colors to Joseph’s coat by inviting all to make covenants with God.  With this remarkable sight before my eyes, I could appreciate the beauty of what is occurring today with the gathering of Israel as well as just how remarkable Joseph’s coat truly was and is becoming!