Lesson 13: The Allegory of the Olive Trees

PurposeTo help us better understand Zenoss allegory of the olive trees and how it applies in our day.

Jacobs recital of the allegory of the olive tree is by far the longest, and probably the most complex chapter in the Book of Mormon. But it is a marvelous exposition of a point Jacob wants desperately to make.

Jacob told us at the end of Jacob 4 that the:"Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble" (Jacob 4:14)

He also told us that they would reject the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation. (4:15)But even so, he assures us, that stone the Savior Jesus Christ would become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation, upon which the Jews can build. (4:15)After having a careful look at this sequence of conclusions, one is bound to ask, How can a people be stiffnecked, kill the prophets, despise words of plainness, look beyond the mark, desire things they cannot understand, reject the Savior, and yet still build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ? Jacob asks the question for us:And now, my beloved, how is it possible that these, after having rejected the sure foundation, can ever build upon it, that it may become the head of their corner? (4:17)

The allegory of the olive tree is Jacobs attempt to explain this paradox to us. In the final verse of chapter 4 he tells us:"Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you." (4:18)

How many things do you knowabout an olive tree?

The more we know about olive trees, the better we can understand why Zenos was inspired to use this particular tree to symbolize Israel.a. The olive tree is a living thing that can produce much fruit. It requires constant nourishment to survive.b. The olive branch is traditionally a symbol of peace.c. The tree must be carefully pruned to be fruitful and productive.

d. For a wild olive tree to become tame and productive, its main stem must be cut back completely, and a branch from a tame olive tree must be grafted into the stem of the wild one.e. An olive tree may produce fruit for centuries. Some trees now growing in Israel have been producing abundantly for over 400 years.f. As a tree grows old and begins to die, its roots send up new shoots, which, if grafted and pruned, will mature to full-grown olive trees. Thus, the root of the tree may go on producing new trees and fruit for thousands of years.

Olive treeThe well-known Olea europea. It is extensively cultivated in Palestine for the sake of the oil. The olive requires being grafted; hence Pauls allusion to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:1724); but what he describes is the reverse of the ordinary gardening operation and is therefore spoken of as contrary to nature (verse 24). Using the olive tree in an allegorical sense to illustrate Israel and the Gentiles is also done by Zenos, as quoted by Jacob 5. Isaiah uses the illustration of a grape vine for the same purpose (Isa. 5:17).

This lesson discusses how the olive tree was used as a symbol to describe the Lords dealings with the house of Israel.

Jacob quotes an allegory from Zenos.What is an allegory? An allegory is a literary device in which one object or event is used to describe or represent another. Zenoss allegory uses olive trees to summarize Israels history and foretell its destiny.

Who was Zenos?a Hebrew prophet mentioned several times in the Book of Mormon.

Elder Bruce R. McConkieIt was Zenos who wrote of the visit of the Lord God to Israel after his resurrection; of the joy and salvation that would come to the righteous among them; of the desolations and destructions that awaited the wicked among them; of the fires, and tempests, and earthquakes that would occur in the Americas; of the scourging and crucifying of the God of Israel by those in Jerusalem; of the scattering of the Jews among all nations; and of their gathering again in the last days "from the four quarters of the earth" (1 Ne. 19:11-17). I do not think I overstate the matter when I say that next to Isaiah himself-who is the prototype, pattern, and model for all the prophets-there was not a greater prophet in all Israel than Zenos [p. 17].

Jacob quotes an allegory from Zenos, a Hebrew prophet mentioned several times in the Book of Mormon. An allegory is a literary device in which one object or event is used to describe or represent another. Zenoss allegory uses olive trees to summarize Israels history and foretell its destiny.Jacob 5. The Longest chapter in the Book of MormonWhat symbols did Zenos use in this allegory? What are the meanings of these symbols?Allowing class members to contribute as much as possible, identify the main symbols from the allegory and their meanings. List these in a chart on the chalkboard. The completed chart will look something like this:

Zenoss AllegorySYMBOLVineyardMaster of the vineyardTame olive treeWild olive treeBranchesServantsFruitMEANINGThe worldJesus ChristThe house of Israel, the Lords covenant peopleGentiles (people not born into the house of Israel)Groups of peopleProphets and others called to serveLives or works of people

Zenoss AllegorySYMBOLRootDecayGraftingPlucking PruningDungingMEANINGCovenant people or blood of Israel(bad fruit, bitter fruit) breaking covenantsGospel opportunities(burning) judgement (justice)(digging) mercy, patience, long-sufferingNourishing

The allegory begins with the master of the vineyard finding that his tame olive tree is beginning to decay (Jacob 5:34). What does this decay represent? ApostasyWhat did the master of the vineyard do when he found his tame olive tree decaying? (Jacob 5:414).

Grafting is a process in which part of a second plant is joined to a first plant in such a way that it becomes a permanent part of the first plant.

Why did the master ask the servant to graft in some wild branches? (See Jacob 5:11, 18.)What does grafting represent in this allegory? Bringing Gentiles into the house of Israel through baptism.When was the gospel first taken to the Gentiles? (See Acts 10.)

What is represented by transplanting the tame branches into distant parts of the vineyard? (See 1Nephi 10:1213.) What specific groups might these tame branches represent? (See 1Nephi 2:1920; 22:34.) Why was Israel scattered? (See Amos 9:89.)The master of the vineyard repeatedly worked with his servant to prune, dig about, and nourish his tree. What does this suggest about Jesus Christs involvement in the lives of His people?

When the master visited the vineyard for the second time, what did he discover about the wild branches that were grafted into the tame tree? (See Jacob 5:1518.) What does the bearing of good fruit symbolize? How can new converts add life and strength to the Church?What did the master find when he visited the natural (tame) branches he had planted in various places around the vineyard? Jacob 5:1925. The branches planted in poor ground brought forth good fruit, while the branches planted in good ground yielded both good and wild fruit.What application might these situations have for us today?

When the master visited the vineyard the third time, what had happened to all the fruit? (See Jacob 5:2932, 3742.) What do the many kinds of corrupt fruit symbolize? (Universal apostasy.) What caused the apostasy? (See Jacob 5:37, 40, 48.) What might the loftiness of the vineyard symbolize? How can our own loftiness, or pride, prevent us from bearing good fruit?

What does the masters response to his corrupted vineyard tell us about the Lords feelings for His people? (See Jacob 5:41, 47.) How does knowing that the Lord loves you make a difference in your life?I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that it perish not (Jacob 5:4).It grieveth me that I should lose this tree (Jacob 5:7).What shall we do unto the tree, that I may preserve again good fruit thereof unto mine own self? (Jacob 5:33).I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard (Jacob 5:60).

What did the master decide to do to save his corrupted vineyard? Jacob 5:4954, 58, 6264. He decided to nourish and prune the vineyard once more and graft some of the transplanted branches back into the original tree.What does this final nourishing, pruning, and grafting represent? 1Nephi 10:14; 2Nephi 29:14; D&C 33:36. The Restoration of the gospel and the gathering of scattered Israel.Who are the other servants mentioned in Jacob 5:61, 70? Although these servants are few, what are the results of their efforts? See Jacob 5:7175. How can we help in this final nourishing, pruning, and grafting in the Lords vineyard?

What did Jacob prophesy after relating Zenoss allegory? (See Jacob 6:1.) What time period did Jacob refer to in Jacob 6:2? The latter days. What does this tell us about the relevance of Zenoss allegory to us?

Jacob 6:4-54And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long; and they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people; but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God.5Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts.

What do these verses teach about how the Savior will recover Israel in the last days?What gospel principles did Jacob emphasize after testifying that the events in Zenoss allegory would all come to pass? (See Jacob 6:313.) What are the responsibilities of those who have been nourished by the good word of God? (See Jacob 6:1112; Moroni 6:34.) What are some specific ways we can fulfill these responsibilities? Invite our nonmember friends to talk with the missionaries, We can serve diligently as home teachers and visiting teachers, Couples can serve full-time missions together.

ConclusionPresident Joseph Fielding Smith said, Today Latter-day Saints are going to all parts of the world as servants in the vineyard to gather this fruit and lay it in store for the time of the coming of the Master (Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., 5 vols. [195766], 4:142). Because we have been nourished by the Lord, we are obligated to help others receive this nourishment.

Additional Teaching IdeasThe following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may want to use one or more of these ideas as part of the lesson.1. Sherems false teachingsDiscuss the account of Sherem, found in Jacob 7:123.How did Sherem lead many people away from the truth? (See Jacob 7:17.) What evidence do you see that some people today use similar methods to lead others away from Christ?How was Jacob able to confound Sherem? (See Jacob 7:822.) How can we protect ourselves from the deceptions of anti-Christs? (See Jacob 7:23; Romans 16:1718; Ephesians 4:1115.)President Joseph Fielding Smith said: There is not anything in this world of as great importance to us as obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us search these scriptures. Let us know what the Lord has revealed. Let us put our lives in harmony with his truth. Then we will not be deceived (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. BruceR. McConkie, 3 vols. [195456], 1:301).