Ancient Islamic sources on Joseph of Egypt & quotes on Joseph S. from contemporaries

The story of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by his brothers and later be an instrument in God's hands in saving his family Israel from famine is one of the most beloved stories in all the Abrahamic religions.


There is an interesting Islamic tradition about the future descendants of Joseph. From the 14th century Islamic scholar Ibn Kathir's famous commentary on the Qur'an on Joseph's dream:


"O my father! Verily, I saw (in a dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon, I saw them prostrating themselves to me." (Ch 12:4)
His father's face lit up. He foresaw that Joseph would be one through whom the prophecy of his grandfather, Prophet Abraham (pbuh), would be fulfilled, in that his offspring would keep the light of Abraham's house alive and spread Allah's message to mankind.


Joseph was the first born son of Racheal, and the birthright son of Israel. The birthright is tied to the priesthood. In Genesis Jacob gives his children and grandkids their patriarchal blessings. LDS members, usually in their youth, are given patriarchal blessings from the stake patriarch. In this blessing, one of the things given is the person's lineage in the house of Israel. Most members are declared to be descendants of Joseph of Egypt. Right now there are about 86,000 full time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints spreading the true gospel to the world.



There is another Jewish tradition of a latter day prophet referred to as the messiah ben Joseph, who would restore the true religion of their fathers, bring back the temple, gather Israel back to the lands of their inheritance, and prepare the way for the messiah ben David. This messiah ben Joseph would then be martyred.


In the first temple that the LDS built in Kirtland, Moses visited and transferred "the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four quarters of the earth" to the prophet Joseph Smith. The LDS apostle Orson Hyde, who grew up a Jewish orphan, was later sent to Palestine and dedicated the land for the return of the Jews in 1841: https://www.lds.org/ensign/1991/10/orson-hydes-1841-mission-to-the-holy-land?lang=eng


Israel as a nation was guaranteed protection from all nations as long as it kept their covenants and were a righteous people. In 72 AD the nation was destroyed by Rome and scattered to the four quarters of the earth. The ten tribes had been scattered several centuries earlier. Prophets such as Isiah had predicted this would happen but also that in the last days God would remember the covenant with Israel and like a tender parent restore all her blessings.


After the New Testament apostles were killed, besides a few pockets that we know of such as the BoM peoples in the Americas where Israel's true religion lasted another three hundred years or so, the fullness of the gospel was taken from the earth because of apostasy.


The Biblical Joseph was sold into slavery of Egypt and would later be an instrument in the hands of God in saving his family(House of Jacob(Israel)) from famine. All of this foreshadows a future date when God would raise up a direct descent of the Biblical Joseph, a choice seer from his loins, who would be an instrument in God's hand in saving the house of Israel from spiritual famine with the restored gospel.

Re: Ancient Islamic sources on Joseph of Egypt & quotes on Joseph S. from contemporar

In the Book of Mormon Lehi quotes the Biblical Joseph who sees this future descendant of his:

"15 And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation. 2 Nephi 3:15


The "like unto me" comment is interesting. Both had visions in there youth. Both were imprisoned unjustly and both won the confidence of the jailer. Both had great revelations while in jail. In Joseph Smith's case, there were a few times when the jailers even let Joseph escape. Once jailer years later said this of Joseph Smith: “Joseph Smith was a most remarkable man. I carried him a prisoner in chains to my house in Independence, Missouri, and he hadn’t been there two hours before my wife loved him better than she loved me.”


Ancient Islamic traditions of Joseph of Egypt followed by quotes of contemporaries of Joseph Smith who met him.


Joseph of Egypt in Islamic traditions:
Joseph was eighteen years old, very handsome and robust, with a gentle temperament. He was respectful, kind and considerate. His brother Benjamin was equally pleasant. Both were from one mother, Rachel. Because of their refined qualities, the father loved the two more than his other children, and would not let them out of his sight. To protect them, he kept them busy with work in the house garden.


Jane S. Richards: His natural demeanor was quiet, his character and disposition was formed by his life work, he was kind and considerate, taking a personal interest in all his people, considering every one his equal.


My grandmother, Catherine Smith Salisbury, told me that her brother Joseph was six feet tall, athletic and fair, and loved to wrestle. She said that he was not in the least snobbish, but treated all he met with kindness, consideration and respect. Once when a noted wrestler from New England visited him in Nauvoo, he challenged the wrestler to "take a fall" with him. In the ensuing bout he threw the wrestler three times, and the man then refused to take any more "falls." From what she told me, I think the Prophet must have been as affectionate with his relatives as President George Albert Smith.

Emmeline B. Wells: There are no pictures of him extant that I know of, that compare with the beauty and majesty of his presence."


His wife, Emma, wrote: "No painting of him could catch his expression, for his countenance was always changing to match his thoughts and feelings."

Lydia Knight: Many were the curious glances that I cast at this strange man who dared to call himself a prophet. I saw a tall, well-built form, with the carriage of an Apollo; brown hair, handsome blue eyes, which seemed to dive down to the innermost thoughts with their sharp, penetrating gaze; a striking countenance, and with manners at once majestic yet gentle, dignified yet exceedingly pleasant.

Wandle Mace: He was a fine looking man, tall and well proportioned, strong and active, with a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair, and very little beard. He had a free and easy manner, not the least affectation, yet he was bold and independent, and very interesting and eloquent in speech


A reporter from a St. Louis newspaper interviewed Joseph Smith and wrote a detailed description of his appearance. He said Joseph was a large man with a broad, muscular chest. He wrote, "The shape of his head is a very oblong oval. . His forehead is white, without a furrow, and notwithstanding the small facial angle, somewhat symmetrical. His hair is quite light and fine-complexion pale-cheeks full-temperament evidently sanguine-lips thin rather than thick. .
"But the Prophet's most remarkable feature is his eye. . The hue is light hazel, and is shaded, and, at times, almost veiled, by the longest, thickest light lashes you ever saw belonging to a man. .
"His voice is low and soft, and his smile, which is frequent, is agreeable."

There are no known photographs or paintings of Joseph Smith. The only thing we have is his death mask:

Re: Ancient Islamic sources on Joseph of Egypt & quotes on Joseph S. from contemporar

The days passed and Joseph grew. Almighty Allah said:
"And when he (Joseph) attained his full manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge (the Prophethood), thus We reward the doers of good. (Ch 12:22)
He was given wisdom in affairs and knowledge of life and its conditions. He as given the art of conversation, captivating those who heard him. He was given nobility and self restraint, which made him an irresistible personality. His master soon knew that Allah had graced him with Joseph. He understood that Joseph was the most honest, straightforward and noble person he had met in his life. Therefore, he put Joseph in charge of his household, honored him, and treated him as a son.






John D. Lee: his countenance was that of a plain, honest man, full of benevolence and philanthropy and void of deceit or hypocrisy. He was resolute and firm of purpose, strong as most men in physical power, and all who saw were forced to admire him, as he then looked and existed


I sat and listened to his preaching at the stand in Nauvoo a great many times when I have been completely carried away with his indescribable eloquence-power of expression-speaking as I have never heard any other man speak."


Parley P. Pratt described Joseph Smith as “possessing a noble boldness, an independence of character. His manner was easy and familiar, his benevolence unbounded as the ocean. Even his most bitter enemies were generally overcome if he could once get their ears” (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pp. 45–46).

George Taggert: He is a young looking man of his age, which is near thirty-eight years and one of the finest looking men there is in the country and he does not pretend to be a man without failings and follies. He is a man that you could not help liking as a man, setting aside the religious prejudice which the world has raised against him. He is one of the warmest patriots and friends to his country and laws that you ever heard speak on the subject. Neither is he puffed up with his greatness an many suppose but on the contrary is familiar with any decent man and is ready to talk up any subject that anyone wishes. And I assure you it would make you wonder to hear him talk and see the information which comes out of his mouth and it is not in big words either but that which anyone can understand.


"I have felt to rejoice exceedingly in what I saw of Brother Joseph, for in his public and private career he carried with him the Spirit of the Almighty, and he manifested a greatness of soul which I had never seen in any other man."




William Clayton, an English convert who served as a clerk to Joseph Smith: "The more I am with him, the more I love him; the more I know of him, the more confidence I have in him."


Emmeline B. Wells: "In the Prophet Joseph Smith, I believed I recognized the great spiritual power that brought joy and comfort to the Saints. . The power of God rested upon him to such a degree that on many occasions he seemed transfigured. His expression was mild and almost childlike in repose; and when addressing the people, who loved him it seemed to adoration, the glory of his countenance was beyond description. At other times the great power of his manner, more than of his voice (which was sublimely eloquent to me), seemed to shake the place on which we stood and penetrate the inmost soul of his hearers, and I am sure that then they would have laid down their lives to defend him. I always listened spell-bound to his every utterance-the chosen of God in this last dispensation."


John Needham, an early English convert: "Joseph Smith is a great man, a man of principle, a straight forward man; no saintish long-faced fellow, but quite the reverse. Indeed some stumble because he is such a straight forward, plain spoken, cheerful man, but that makes me love him the more."


John M. Bernhisel, a medical doctor who boarded in Joseph and Emma's home in Nauvoo for several months during 1843 and 1844: "Joseph Smith is naturally a man of strong mental powers, and is possessed of much energy and decision of character, great penetration, and a profound knowledge of human nature. He is a man of calm judgment, enlarged views, and is eminently distinguished by his love of justice. He is kind and obliging, generous and benevolent, sociable and cheerful, and is possessed of a mind of a contemplative and reflective character. He is honest, frank, fearless and independent, and as free from dissimulation [false appearances] as any man to be found. . As a religious teacher, as well as a man, he is greatly beloved by this people."

Jesse N. Smith, a cousin of Joseph Smith: "[The Prophet was] incomparably the most God-like man I ever saw. . I know that by nature he was incapable of lying and deceitfulness, possessing the greatest kindness and nobility of character. I felt when in his presence that he could read me through and through. I know he was all that he claimed to be."2


Joseph F. Smith, the sixth President of the Church: "He was brimming over with the noblest and purest of human nature, which often gave vent in innocent amusements-in playing ball, in wrestling with his brothers and scuffling with them, and enjoying himself; he was not like a man with a stake run down his back, and with his face cast in a brazen mold that he could not smile, that he had no joy in his heart. Oh, he was full of joy; he was full of gladness; he was full of love, and of every other noble attribute that makes men great and good, and at the same time simple and innocent, so that he could descend to the lowest condition; and he had power, by the grace of God, to comprehend the purposes of the Almighty too. That was the character of the Prophet Joseph Smith."

Howard Coray, a clerk to Joseph Smith: "I have studied the Gospel as revealed by Joseph Smith and wondered if it were possible for anyone unaided by the Spirit of God to have revealed such a system of salvation and exaltation for man. My conclusion is in the negative. I sat and listened to his preaching at the stand in Nauvoo a great many times when I have been completely carried away with his indescribable eloquence-power of expression-speaking as I have never heard any other man speak."

Joseph L. Robinson, a counselor in a bishopric in Nauvoo: "We have long since believed and verily known that Joseph Smith was a true and humble Prophet of God, but now our eyes do see him, and our ears hear his voice, which is like the voice of the mighty thunders of Heaven, yet his language is meek and instructive, edifying much. But there is a power and majesty that attends his words and preaching that we never beheld in any man before, for he is a mighty Prophet, a holy man of God. He truly had been educated in the things pertaining to the kingdom of God and was highly charged with the Holy Ghost, which was a constant companion."

Re: Ancient Islamic sources on Joseph of Egypt & quotes on Joseph S. from contemporar

Parley P. Pratt

President Joseph Smith was in person tall and well built, strong and active, of a light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, very little beard, and of an expression peculiar to himself, on which the eye naturally rested with interest, and was never weary of beholding. His countenance was ever mild, affable, beaming with intelligence and benevolence; mingled with a look of interest and an unconscious smile, or cheerfulness, and entirely free from all restraint or affectation of gravity; and there was something connected with the serene and steady penetrating glance of his eye, as if he would penetrate
the deepest abyss of the human heart, gaze into eternity, penetrate the heavens, and comprehend all worlds.
He possessed a noble boldness and independence of character; his manner was easy and familiar; his rebuke terrible as the lion; his benevolence unbounded as the ocean; his intelligence universal, and his language abounding in original eloquence peculiar to himself- -not polished-not studied-not smoothed and softened by education and refined by art; but flowing forth in its own native simplicity, and profusely abounding in variety of subject and manner. He interested and edified, while, at the same time, he amused and entertained his audience; and none listened to him that were ever weary with his discourse. I have even known him to retain a congregation of willing and anxious listeners for many hours together, in the midst of cold or sunshine, rain or wind, while they were laughing at one moment and weeping the next. Even his most bitter enemies were generally overcome, if he could once get their ears.
I have known him when chained and surrounded with armed murderers and assassins who were heaping upon him every possible insult and abuse, rise up in the majesty of a son of God and rebuke them, in the name of Jesus Christ, till they quailed before him, dropped their weapons, and, on their knees, begged his pardon, and ceased their abuse.
In short, in him the characters of a Daniel and a Cyrus were wonderfully blended. The gifts, wisdom and devotion of a Daniel were united with the boldness, courage, temperance, perseverance and generosity of a Cyrus. And had he been spared a martyr's fate till mature manhood and age, he was certainly endowed with powers and ability to have revolutionized the world in many respects, and to have transmitted to posterity a name associated with more brilliant and glorious acts than has yet fallen to the lot of mortals. As it is, his works will live to endless ages, and unnumbered millions yet unborn will mention his name with honor, as a noble instrument in the hands of God, who, during his short and youthful career, laid the foundation of that kingdom spoken of by Daniel, the prophet, which should break in pieces all other kingdoms and stand forever.

Re: Ancient Islamic sources on Joseph of Egypt & quotes on Joseph S. from contemporar

From the time of his First Vision at the age of 14, Joseph said he got used to “swimming in deep water.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith was 17 years old when first visited by the angel Moroni in 1823. Moroni prophesied that Joseph Smith’s name “should be both good and evil spoken of among all people” (Joseph Smith—History 1:33).

When his mission was about to begin at the age of 23 in translating the gold plates, the Lord revealed to him the following in March of 1829: “Be firm in keeping the commandments … and if you do this, behold I grant unto you eternal life, even if you should be slain.“ D&C 5:22 "There are many that lie in wait to destroy thee from off the face of the earth” (D&C 5:33).

In the following month of April 1829, as Joseph and his new scribe the 22 yo Oliver Cowdery begin translating the gold plates they received the following revelation from the Lord: “And even if they do unto you as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for ye shall dwell with me in glory.” D&C 6:30

In July 1830, about four months after the church was organized and the Book of Mormon had been published to the world persecution became intense, so much so they had to go into partial seclusion. The Lord revealed to Joseph: “Be patient in thine afflictions for thou shalt have many. But endure them, for lo I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.” D&C 24:8.

In the remaining 14 years of his life, “on at least 19 different occasions … Joseph Smith told the Saints that he would probably not leave this life peacefully.”

During these 14 years Joseph was "besieged with dozens of unjustified lawsuits (total of 48 with no sound evidence that he was ever convicted) and was often in jeopardy of his life. He was poisoned, beaten, tarred, unjustly imprisoned, and once sentenced to die by firing squad. He and Emma seldom had a home of their own, and six of their children died in infancy. Financial difficulties continually plagued the family.
"As for the perils which I am called to pass through," Joseph reflected, "they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all.""

Joseph gained confidence that his mission would be completed before his life on earth could be cut short. In March 1839, while in jail at Liberty, Missouri, the Lord declared:
“If thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee. …
“… Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do” (D&C 122:7, 9). (See my thread Hebrew Calender testifies of Joseph Smith where the martyrdom date of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, June 27, 1844, fulfills a prophecy in the Book of Daniel with perfect precision.