Joseph in Egypt is probably my favorite story in the Old Testament. Reading it again I started pondering the responsibility he gets and what he does with it. When he is sold to Potiphar, he is set over his whole household and "the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hands" (Genesis 39:3). After he was put into prison, the same thing happened again. The chief jailer committed everything in Joseph's hands and "whatever he did, the Lord made it to prosper" (Genesis 39:23).
There is a play on his name, just like we see ever so often in the Old Testament. Joseph means to add or increase. Whatever is committed into Joseph's hands increases and prospers. It happens again when he interprets Pharao's dream.
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have thee over all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:41)
Joseph, as usual, is a good steward who uses his responsibility and position to save Egypt from famine as well as neighboring lands, including his own family. He does that by laying up and keeping (Hebr. shamar, see Genesis 41:35) food during the prosperous years.
Lord Wilmore has written about shamar, meaning to keep, watch or preserve. Adam and Eve were commanded to "shamar" the Garden of Eden. They were given a responsibility like Joseph. This is also the word used in Hebrew when talking about keeping the commandments. It is an unusual yet intriguing idea to view our relationship with the commandments as a form of stewardship similar to that of Joseph or Adam and Eve.
The Nephites are often reminded that they are a remnant of Joseph. Their forefather is an example to look up to and his story of prosperity despite being an outcast is very relevant for the outcasts from Jerusalem who were commanded to keep God's commandment with the attached blessing that they would prosper in the land if they did so. Joseph's example of stewardship and prosperity is certainly one with both temporal and spiritual applications.
42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?
43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. (Luke 12)
Sounds like Joseph. In fact, "give them their portion" uses the same verb as in the Greek Septuagint in Genesis 47:12 when Joseph "nourished his father, his brethren, and all his father's household with bread".
There are surprisingly many scriptures on this topic in the Doctrine and Covenants. Here are a few, some of them with allusions to Luke 12:
3 I, the Lord, have appointed them, and ordained them to be over the revelations and commandments which I have given unto them, and which I shall hereafter give unto them;
4 And an account of this will I require of them in the day of judgment. (D&C 70)
And verily in this thing ye have done wisely, for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every , to render an of his , both in time and in eternity. (D&C 72:3)
21 For ye are the of the , and he will take you up in a , and appoint every man his portion.
22 And he that is a faithful and shall inherit things. Amen. (D&C 78)
And whoso is found a , a , and a wise shall enter into the of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life. (D&C 51:19)
