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This Week's Reading: Genesis 18–23
Come Follow Me Insight #1
The Joseph Smith Translation is CRITICAL in understanding the super gross/awkward happenings in Genesis 19:9-15.
The story goes that Lot is hosting three holy men in his house when a large group of men from Sodom surround his house, and call for Lot to deliver the men in his house so the men of Sodom can “know” them. Seriously– the Old Testament is so weird sometimes!
Now this is where the story gets even worse IF you don’t use the Joseph Smith Translation. Without the JST, it sounds like Lot offers his beautiful daughters to these sinful men so that they can “know” them instead of abusing the holy men in Lot’s house. Worst father ever!!
However, WITH the JST we understand that the sinful men were frustrated with Lot for not immediately delivering the holy men to them. In their anger they decided that they wanted to abuse both the holy men AND Lot’s daughters. Lot begs them NOT to do this. Phew! Not the worst father ever.
It’s still a gross/awkward story but much less awful with the Joseph Smith Translation to clarify.
Come Follow Me Insight #2
Abraham was told to travel for 3 days to a specific place to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:1-4). Why?
It is highly likely that Abraham’s sacrifice took place on the same mount (Mount Moriah) where Christ was crucified. (Source 1; Source 2)
Come Follow Me Insight #3
Sarah had a son just as she was promised . . . but it was 25 YEARS after that promise was made. (Genesis 12:4 vs Genesis 21)
That is a loooooong time to wait!
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