Now the birthright was Joseph's, even at that early age of 17. The simple logic of 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 states it. Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, defiled his father's bed with Bihah, Jacob's concubine wife shortly after Abraham's wife Rachel dies. Thus Reuben's birthright went to Joseph and then to Joseph's sons, namely Ephraim. Joseph was the Last Great Patriarchal Father of the Patriarchal Order in Israel whose blessing from the Lord are give us in JST Genesis 50 and preserved in 2 Nephi 3 (see Joseph's Blessings).

In a number of various talks Elder Russell M. Nelson has spoken concerning Joseph's coat of many colors being representative of the birthright covenant or the everlasting covenant that God has made unto man. The elder brothers of Joseph hated Joseph. Like unto Laman and Lemuel, they would not have their younger brother be made a ruler over them. Rather than to do so they would kill plot to murder him. Beside the coat of the covenant birthright and the love that Jacob showed unto Joseph, Joseph himself had recently been receiving a series of prophetic dreams, which he would share with his brethren, not supposing that they would make them hate him so much.

The Bible records but two of these dreams but infers that there were more. We know to day that there were at least three such dreams. After the Bible presents the first of the two dreams that it contains, and before it presents the second dream therein, it states that Josephs brothers hated Joseph because of his "dreams" plural (Genesus 37:8). This is just after having only presenting but one dream, and then they present a second dream. But if there were already more than one dream, then certainly the next dream the Bible presents in Genesis 37:9. That would make at least three dreams. Fortunately we have just such a third dream held in tradition.

Presented here are those three dreams in perhaps the order they were disclosed by Joseph:

1. Joseph's dream of the rotted fruit. From the traditions and legends of the Jews comes a dream of Joseph that will be given here first. In this dream and with Joseph explanation it becomes that the Messiah of the covanant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and not Joseph, would come the Messiah. With this dreaming leading out, it may be seen that all of Joseph's dreams pointed to the Messiah that would come from Joseph was he who would be bowed down to and worshipped. That the Messiah, that is Jesus was the fruit of Joseph's posterity of the harvest, which sheaf did stand before all others to be so worshiped. And also as presented of those of the kingdoms of heaven's glories will bow down before the Lord.

Not then, in Joseph's 'other' dream he and his brothers were gathering fruit, again fruit meaning posterity. His brother's fruit rotted, but Joseph's remianed. Joseph explained that the children of Israel would set up dumb idols to worship, but that they would vanish at the coming of Joseph's descendant, Messiah ben Joseph. (Isaiah and the Prophets, p. 28 & Ginzberg, The Legends of the Jews vol. 2:7)

As the promised ancestry to the blessed Messiah was a part of the Covenant of Abraham, that was also held by Isaac and then by Jacob and now apparently by Joseph; certainly the resentment of Joseph's elder brothers would be stirred up. And if this dream was the first dream he told them concerning, it is easy to see how it would set his brother's teeth on edge with jealousy.

2. Joseph's dream of the sheaves. Perhaps the second dream which Joseph shared with his brothers was that of the binding of sheaves or of the fruits of the field as even as the fruit of one's loins. In this dream it would be Joseph's fruit, descendant or sheaf that arose and stood upright. And all the other sheaves, fruits or posterity of his brothers of Israel made obeisance to the sheaf or fruit of Joseph. This was fulfilled in the temporal salvation provided by Joseph of Eygpt unto his brothers saving them from the famine and they did pay obeisance to Joseph directly. But the fruit of Joseph, the Christ, the Messiah to come from Joseph would be that heavenly fulfillment, as all people will come under the scope of Israel as children of Abraham; and all the earth will be blessed and will bow down and make obeisance to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. (Genesis 37:5-8)

Here in the Bible, after just presenting this one dream, verse 8 states, "And they hated him more for the dreams, and for his words." Only if both the previous two dreams are counted are there plural 'dreams' at this point. Thus the Bible does infer that there were more than two dreams that Joseph had received and had shared with his brothers. Ancient Israel as well as that of the time of Christ, did persecute and kill the prophets that would have taught them concerning Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And so they did unto Jesus himself.

3. Joseph's dream of the Sun, Moon, and Stars. The heavenly bodies does speak of the eternities of the heavens and the concept of forever and ever. Though Joseph's father Jacob thought in terms of Joseph's parents and Joseph's brothers, that is not what the dream many in the broader spectrum have been presenting. Joseph's second Bible dream did enforce the dream of the sheaves and if taken in consideration of the coming Messiah, much more could and should have been made of it.

But from Jacob's recorded interpretation, Jacob considered that even he Jacob represented by the sun, and Leah, the surviving mother, as Rachel was deceased, as was the moon. And then the other sons would be the stars that all did make obeisance to Joseph. That too was fulfilled temporally by Joseph's position in Egypt and Jacob's family coming there to be saved from the famine. But again, a more heavenly and eternal interpretation lies therein when Christ as the descendant of Joseph is brought into the picture.

Because of scriptural revelation, we understand that the Sun, Moon and Star are representative of the kingdoms of heaven to which man may attain to. The Cellestial Kingdom is of the glory of the Sun. The Terrestrial Kingdom is of the glory or brightness of the Moon in the sky. And the Telestial Kingdom is of the glory or brightness of the Stars in the night sky. And all who have lived will be consigned to those kingdoms and all will pay obeisance to Joseph's promised descendant, the shepherd and stone or rock of Israel, even Jesus Christ. (Genesis 37:9-11)

Now certainly all such thing seemed to be but beyond the reach of the understanding of Joseph's brothers, but even Jacob seemed to miss it, though he did ponder upon it and may have considered it to the degree of his understanding as a prophet Patriarch himself. But it is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that the finite mind of man has the higher considerations of God's eternity, just float right on over his head and never to have reached down into the earthly perceptions of the mortally bound mind.

Nephi struggle with his elder brothers attempt after attempt. What and whether Joseph did offer additional explanations to the dreams he had shared it is not in the Bible recorded. But Joseph's brothers envied and hated him for the cause of the position which was apparently Joseph's. And like Laman and Lemuel, they were pretty much beyond understanding. Yet it is stated that Jacob, Joseph's father, did observe the saying of Joseph's dreams (Genesis 37:11). Jacob knew what it was to deal with one such brother in Esau. But Joseph had 10 times the number to deal with.

These 'Ages of Time' are but a single slice taken from the never endings or beginnings the Eternity of God. Yet this one billioneth part of eternity does seem to preoccupy the minds of mortal men. As if it is not enough to just say for ever or forever, it is also stated as 'forever and ever.' but even a million eternities is still just as long as one eternity, which is forever and ever in and of itself.

In terms of who be are to bow down to and forever worship, it is not any man of flesh and blood of this mortality that we are so bound to. It is he who stands from all eternity to all eterntiy and forever beyond as well. He is our Lord and King, and who we do ultimately worship. Only to him of the descent of the covenant is who it can be said that men with bow down to worship for ever. And here will now be listed such related scriptures that so reference such eternal worship of one's God and it ought to be well noted that it is not a mere man but God who is forever bow down to.

"For the Lord God has spoken it; and we, the elders of the church, have heard and bear witness to the words of the glorious Majesty on high, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." ~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 20:16

"Wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come, that thou, O God, mayest be glorified in heaven so on earth, that thine enemies may be subdued; for thine is the honor, power and glory, forever and ever. Amen." ~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 65:6

"And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever." ~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:21

"Wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all enemies under his feet." ~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:61

"And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever;
"Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever." ~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:92-93

"And heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever;" ~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:110

"The Lord hath brought again Zion;
The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel,
According to the election of grace,
Which was brought to pass by the faith
And covenant of their fathers."

"The Lord hath redeemed his people;
And Satan is bound and time is no longer.
The Lord hath gathered all things in one.
The Lord hath brought down Zion from above.
The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath."

"The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength;
And truth is established in her bowels;
And the heavens have smiled upon her;
And she is clothed with the glory of her God;
For he stands in the midst of his people."

"Glory, and honor, and power, and might,
Be ascribed to our God; for he is full of mercy,
Justice, grace and truth, and peace,
Forever and ever, Amen."
~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:99-102

"And this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all people, both in heaven and in earth, and that are under the earth—for every ear shall hear it, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess, while they hear the sound of the trump, saying: Fear God, and give glory to him who sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever; for the hour of his judgment is come." ~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:104

"Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!" ~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:23

"And the graves of the saints shall be opened; and they shall come forth and stand on the right hand of the Lamb, when he shall stand upon Mount Zion, and upon the holy city, the New Jerusalem; and they shall sing the song of the Lamb, day and night forever and ever." ~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 133:56

So when it states that any such men are to bow themselves down and worship another forever, who is or who could that be but the Lord and his God? We do not worship and bow ourselves down to Joseph Smith forever. We do not do so to any of the father Patriarchs. So when the scriptures say that we will do it to so and so, that needs be our Lord and his God, our Father in Heaven, and unto no other man. So who is the fruit of the loins of Joseph that we do worship forever? Is it not the Lord Jesus Christ? It ought not be any other man of this earth but him. And only in that he was born of Mary.

And in that Joseph's brothers are to bow down to and worship who is the fruit of Joseph forever, then that fruit of Joseph must only be he who is Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh. There is no other and he must be Messiah ben Joseph in that respect in which he was born of Mary, and of Joseph's birthright descent through her back to Joseph by legal right.

¶ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." ~ Old Testament | Isaiah 55:8-9

For just a moment in time, let us reflect upon God's "Forever and Ever Land" of the mind considerations of God as given in His scriptures. Let us think of God and God's eternity and Heaven. There are a number of such 'forever and ever' conceptual scriptures in terms of God and man's relationship to Him.

The Order of Heaven is a Patriarchal Order. Relative to this earth and God our Father in Heaven, there is a Patraiarchal Hierarchal Order of Authority and Connection between Heaven and Earth. Beginning at that which is relevant to our finite mind pay scale to need to know is that it begins with God Our Heavenly Father of Spirits. He it is tht Jesus Christ taught us all to pray unto beginning, "Our Father Who Art in Heaven, ... " He stand at the Head of our Patriarchal Order. Second to him, of course come Jesus Christ the Son of God, who is positioned as our Ministering God Jehovah of the Old Testament and Jesus Christ of the New Testament. He it is tht well come again to Rule and Reign on earth in the Millennium and will stand to Judge and present though worthy of this earth unto the Our Father in Heaven in the end of times and when we turn back into that eternal realm again.

Jesus Christ was that Spirit God Jehovah of the Old Testament, who as the Divine Word created the temporal Heavens and earth under the direction of the Father. It was he who formed man in the form and image of God, head, shoulders, knees, and toes; eyes, ears, mouth and nose. This was after the image of his spirit as stated to the Brother of Jared in Ether chapter 3. It is also after the image of God Our Father in Heaven, for the spirit and the body whether earthly or Celestial is of the same image and form.

After God the Father of Spirits and second Jesus Christ, Jehovah, the Son of God; comes Father Adam. He is who is known as Michael the Archangel. In terms of our mortality, He and Mother Eve, are the parents of all living pertaining to this present earth's creation and habitation from the Garden of Eden until the Great and Final Judgement. Next to Adam in the main line of authority stands Noah, who is also know as Gabriel. Those are the first four in direct line hierarchal authority between Heaven and the earth. It is a Patriarchal Order of authority that connects Heaven and Earth.

Exactly who stand in what order after Noah who is Gabriel we are sort of left to presume. But certainly is it of a Patriarchal Order. This leave us with the Patriarchal Fathers after Noah. That is with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. They are those whom with the promises of heave have remained as stated in the Doctrine and Covenants.

"And also with Joseph and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, your fathers, by whom the promises remain;" ~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 27:10

They are the immediate Patriarchal Fathers by whom the promises, the blessing and the everlasting covenant of heaven with earth does and has remained. And it is Joseph who is our last known standing Great Last Patriarchal Father that we can look to and in whom all those promises do and have remained. That is including all the promises of the Covenant including the ancestry of Jesus Christ from the temporal perspective as has been explained in this current text.

Though Judah has played the role of providing the surrogate father Boaz at one point in time, it is by those blessing and promises as held in Joseph that the rights and promises have remained. Judah was not a worthy Patriarch. He married Shuah outside of the covenant lineage of the birthright. And as summarized by Tamar Kadari, "Judah betrayed the way of his forefathers, as portrayed in Malachi."

"¶ Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god." ~ Old Testament | Malachi 2:11

Judah's wife was as Esau's wife. Judah married a daughter of an idolater, a daughter of alien gods. And though Judah would fain having prevailed, he did not. Neither plotting to murder Joseph or further plotting to send him into exile as a slave to the Egyptians could so prevail against Joseph's blessing to the ancestry of the Messiah.

"And the Lord said: Blessed is he through whose seed Messiah shall come; for he saith—I am Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven, which is broad as eternity; whoso cometh in at the gate and climbeth up by me shall never fall; wherefore, blessed are they of whom I have spoken, for they shall come forth with songs of everlasting joy." ~ Pearl of Great Price | Moses 7:53

In Joseph was the righteous Branch. It was Joseph who was righteous and came in at the gate and did climbeth up by the Lord. Judah never did. Yes in Boaz was one righteous man that played the surrogate father unto the house of Mahlon and Elimelech to preserve seed unto the house of Ephraim. But by the surrogate did not come the birthright. That came by the right of he who was heir unto the house of Mahlon and Elimelech. It rested in Obed who was son unto Naomi of the house of the Ephrathite house of Ephraim.

And now it is that as by line upon line and precept upon precept, must the strong point of the truth be built, while yet a number of these items have been spoken of before, until now they have not been all together ready to be combined into this strength of consideration as so placed here together. And so it is. One reading of the scriptures do not result in much understanding and knowledge. Only by reading and re-reading, studying and re-studying, is the single bricks able to be assembled to be so combined with the mortar of understanding of truth to build a wall of strength. But even a wall of strength is not comprehended by those who do not look to understand it.

While writing this item I had a dream. I owned two chimpanzees named Mary and Mollie. And I, with them was part of a performing circus. During performance the chimpanzees would perform a death defying feat on the back of a horse carrying a $50,000 dollar mounted in gold blue sapphire while circling the great circus colosseum arena that had multilevel all surrounding seating because the act was so great and famous. In the dream, I don't ever remember seeing the act, but it was very dangerous and the chances were that the sapphire could easily fly out into the audience. The Blue Jewel would be authenticated before every performance and then given to the chimpanzees to carry. But at the moment of transfering the sapphire a switch would be made for a paste copy. And we would have kind of a code word which the vastly intelligent chimpanzees would say and that was Opera. The meaning was that it was all a theatrical act, neither was it really all that dangerous nor was the carried sapphire the real jewel.

A part presentation is often theatrics, that is emphasis for effect. For example what is the difference between one eternity or a number of eternities? There is'nt any difference or as we'd say in our youth, 'it is the same difference.' Really there is no difference, as eternity is eternity no matter how many of them you have, eternity, just one of them, is 'forever' anyway, without beginning and without ending. Eternity is 'forever' or 'for ever' or even 'forever and ever' it is the same. Just stating it being 'forever and ever' is but for added emphasis or OPERA or Theatrical re-enforcement.

Thus it boils down to that Joseph's brethren would bow down to the fruit of his loins for ever. And no man is to glory in or worship another man, but rather let him glory in God only. For it is only to him, who is our Lord and God, to whom man will bow down to and worship for ever, forever or forever and ever. The added truths of the Patriarchal Order is trud enough and does also apply, but in a since it is also so added for additional effect and emphasis to the simple point at hand. And that is, the legal and rightful heir of the earthly covenants of blessing, priesthoods and honors of the seed of Joseph is Jesus Christ. He it is that takes and haves salvation and redemption to take to the whole earth, every nation, kindred, tongue and people. And the rest of we mere mortal men are but his servants, in the service of our God and King in helping him do the great latter day work of the vineyard as given in the allegory of the olive tree in Jacob chapter 5. We are but the servants of that Lord and master. And it is but unto him that we do bow down to for ever. That Messiah ben Joseph, who is also Messiah ben David, is he who we bow down to for ever.