Let’s look at the word Joseph as it appears in Hebrew (reading right to left):

יוסף

The first letter is a Yud, י, which represents the Hand of God. The next letter is a Vav, ו, which represents the veil of the temple. The next character is a Samech, ס, which represents a circle or Eternal Life having no beginning or ending. The last letter is a Pei, ף, which represents a mouth or mouthpiece of God.

The two most prominent Josephs in the scriptures are Joseph, son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt and of course, the Prophet Joseph Smith according to the Book of Mormon is an ancestor of the first Joseph. Both of these Josephs’ lives are perfect examples of the symbolic meaning of the Hebrew characters in their name.

Both act as the Hand of God in leading and guiding their people. Both literally bring their people to the temple. Both provide the gospel and the doctrine of Christ’s Atonement so that their people can achieve Eternal Life. And finally, both are the Lord’s mouth or mouthpiece in teaching and revealing the truth to their people.