think of the persons mentioned in it as representing principles, or things that belong to your minds. Think of Leah and Rachel as representing two different but kindred affections; Leah representing a natural affection, and Rachel a spiritual affection. Then, if you can see that Leah represents a natural affection, you may be able further to see that her sons represent thoughts that proceed from that natural affection; and if you can see that Rachel represents a spiritual affection, you may be able to see that Rachel's sons represent spiritual thoughts that come forth from that spiritual affection. To see the general spiritual meaning of the history of Joseph, you only need to have some clear idea of the two kinds of thoughts that Joseph and Benjamin represent on the one hand, and that the ten brethren represent on the other. If you are in any degree religious, you must have these two kinds of thoughts present in your minds—thoughts about God and heaven, and thoughts about yourselves and the world, or thoughts about spiritual things and thoughts about natural things. If you have observed your
