Joshua 4

Ark of the covenant

Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. Joshua 4:7

Parents were to teach their children that the waters parted before the ark of the Lord. The ark, the seat of His presence and mercy, opened a way through what Israel could not cross — which is what Christ does for us.

How we know: a traditional type, cited · a footnote points to Him

• the same event in Joshua 3:15-17 — The account of the crossing itself, with the priests standing firm in the midst of Jordan.

Joshua as a type of Jesus

Joshua (Yehoshua) — Jehovah is salvation; the same name as Jesus

On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life. Joshua 4:14

The leader who bears the name of Jesus is lifted up by the Lord before all Israel, exactly as promised. It is a soft echo of the Father glorifying the Son before the people.

How we know: a traditional type, cited · a footnote points to Him

• fulfils Joshua 3:7 — 'This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel.'

Jehovah the Deliverer

For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: Joshua 4:23–24

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, is the one who parted both the Red Sea and the Jordan. The stones stand so that every nation will know His hand is mighty to deliver.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · the verse itself names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him

• alludes to Exodus 14:21-22 — The verse itself points back: the LORD dried up the Red Sea and Israel went over on dry ground.