The stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph
As our time studying the Old Testament draws to a close, I've been thinking about the prophecy that in the last days, the stick of Judah and the stick Joseph will come together.
The stick of Judah is the Bible, and the stick of Joseph is the Book of Mormon. I've most often interpreted this to mean that the Book of Mormon would come forth in the latter days. But after this most recent year of learning in the Old Testament, I've felt like my mind has been expanded to other ways this prophecy is also being fulfilled. I've learned more from the Old Testament than I ever have previously. In a lot of ways, I feel like I am reading a different book, a new book than what I learned in Seminary. I know the Bible better now than I did before this year of study. I love it in a different way than I did before. The Book of Mormon, which has been beloved to me for many years, now has some companion beloved stories to add from the Old Testament. Stories and insights lost in obscurity are now known, cherished, and loved. I understand the Book of Mormon more because I've read the Old Testament. Beautiful displays of the Lord's mercy and love from the Book of Mormon now have context, and backup, and additional witnesses, that I was not as familiar with from the Old Testament.
In these ways, it feels to me that the stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph are becoming one in my hand. I am loving and learning from both. Because of our yearly study of each book I feel like the power of both the stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph are now at 100% in my hand, whereas in the past I wasn't as familiar with certain parts of the Bible.
With each "stick" operating at full capacity, I am better able to know my God and my Savior. I'm better able to understand their love and mercy, their desires for me and the Plan of Salvation. Not only me, but the whole church is better equipped in the last days because the stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph are becoming one, the more we learn from the scriptures. This is one way we are being prepared for the Second Coming, by being able to fully utilize the scriptures we have and the gifts we have been given. I'm so grateful for the Bible and the Book of Mormon! They have changed me and made me into a better person by teaching me more about my Savior and our loving Heavenly Father.
