Allegory of the Olive Tree & Return of the Servants
The mysterious allegory of the olive trees in Jacob 5 can be tough to understand. If one is familiar with the end-time prophecies of Nephi, Isaiah, Jesus and Joseph Smith it begins to make more sense. The servant counsels with the Lord about how to produce good fruit: saved souls who partake of the tree of life. Their plans include the reestablishment of the everlasting covenant, and the fulfillment of God’s promises to the fathers. Zion will come again by power.
📖 Summary & Study guide
Zenos’s Allegory of the Olive Tree Explained
The Book of Mormon adds another witness of the end-time servant returning. The same servant visits the vineyard multiple times to assist in the work of redeeming and establishing Zion on earth. Zenos’s allegory of the tame and wild olive trees in Jacob 5:49-77 has several significant parallels found in other modern scriptures. These parallels include the parable of the redemption of Zion (D&C 101:43-66) and it’s commentary in D&C 103:1-28.
What does Jacob 5’s allegory of the olive trees mean? We’ll summarize the last half of the allegory, which pertains to events more familiar to us in our modern day.
Tree in the “Good Spot of Ground” is Corrupt
Starting in verse 43, there’s a promised land, referred to as “a good spot of ground… even that which was choice unto me above all other parts of the land of my vineyard” (Jacob 5:43-44). This choice spot of land comes under covenant curse and is recommended for destruction by the Lord (Jacob 5:49). The allegory is speaking of the choice land that Lehi’s people inhabited: America.
Jacob 5 explains the restoration of the gospel that occurred during the late 1820s and early 1830s in significant detail.
The Servant Plans to Restore the Gospel in 1830s
The olive tree allegory tells of a council between the Lord and his servant. The servant proposes the restoration of the gospel (Jacob 5:50), pleading with the Lord to “spare it a little longer.” The Lord approves the servant’s plan to restore the gospel stating “I will spare it a little longer” (Jacob 5:51). The servant brings to the Lord a plan for this restoration and its intended purpose (Jacob 5:52-54).
Joseph Smith’s prior mission to the vineyard was to accomplish the work of restoration, and lay the foundation for Zion. The Lord told the servant, “pluck not the wild branches… save it be those which are most bitter” (Jacob 5:55-57). This was in preparation of a future pruning (58), wherein all bitter branches are pruned and destroyed. This is similar to allowing wheat to coexist with tares, until the final harvest before the field burns.
This mission of Joseph Smith ends with a promise for a future return. “And we will nourish again the trees of the vineyard, and we will trim up the branches thereof” (Jacob 5:58).
In verse 59, we gain some insights on the end of Joseph’s first ministry and the plans for his second. The Lord told the servant to wait “because of the change of the branches, that the good may overcome the evil” (Jacob 5:59). The results of the restoration are summarized in Jacob 5:60.
The Servants (plural) Return for the Last Pruning
The Lord sends the servant again “one last time” into the vineyard. This time, he tells the servant to call other servants to help with the final pruning of the vineyard. The fruit the Lord seeks is for us to eat fruit from the tree of life, which is “most precious above all other fruit.”
61 Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.
62 Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time that I shall prune my vineyard.
The servant and the Lord bring forth the plan for the redemption of Zion. They agree on the strategy “begin at the last that they may be first, and that the first may be last” this time. The servants in a future time will nourish all of the trees “once again for the last time” (Jacob 5:62-63).
The Separation of Wheat & Tares
The Lord instructs the servants to prepare a way for the good branches to receive protection and deliverance (clearing away the bitter branches) as long as they grow and bring forth natural fruit. “If it be so that these last grafts shall grow, and bring forth the natural fruit, then shall ye prepare the way for them, that they may grow” (Jacob 5:64). These receive protection and deliverance according to the strength and size of the good branches, or according to their faithfulness.
65 And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.
The plan for the redemption of Zion includes the gradual elimination of the tares. The good roots will come back as branches which will bear good fruit. The Lord will use the rejected Latter-day Saint church to further his work. He will keep evil in check (Jacob 5:65).
The redemption of Zion brings the separation of the wheat and tares. The servants lead the wheat to the garners (the end-time exodus) and the prophesied destruction of the tares is ready to execute (Jacob 5:66).
Good Olive Tree Branches Reunite – The Gathering of Israel
The olive tree allegory is a tale of saving and preserving the Lord’s trees, which represent Israel. This redemption of the Lord’s vineyard includes the gathering of Israel, who will once again be reunited with their righteous kindred (Jacob 5:67). The Lord says at this point “and thus will I bring them together again, that they shall bring forth the natural fruit, and they shall be one” (Jacob 5:68).
In wake of the gathering out of faithful Israel, the destruction of the tares is imminent. The servants and the Lord prepare the vineyard for those branches who will to bring forth fruit (Jacob 5:69). These will inherit the choice spot of land once again, decluttered and unencumbered by bitter branches.
69 And the bad shall be cast away, yea, even out of all the land of my vineyard; for behold, only this once will I prune my vineyard.
The Servant Returns & Brings Other Servants
Joseph Smith returns to the earth and awakes and arises to his mission. The heavens open, the fullness of the gospel returns and he preaches the doctrine of Christ and the everlasting covenant. This is done with great power by the spirit. He gathers together the “residue of my servants” (Jacob 5:70, D&C 101:55, D&C 88:70,73-75) who were originally with him during his prior ministry (approximately 1829-1844) and remained faithful by sanctifying themselves.
55 And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his servants: Go and gather together the residue of my servants, and take all the strength of mine house, which are my warriors, my young men, and they that are of middle age also among all my servants, who are the strength of mine house, save those only whom I have appointed to tarry;
This is one of the many lesser-known meanings within Zenos’s allegory of the olive trees.
Mine Angels & My Presence Shall Go Before You
The residue of the servants, few in number (Jacob 5:70), gather out of “the strength of the Lord’s house” (Jacob 5:71). The great end-time exodus commences, with the Lord’s presence manifesting to some on the journey. Christ will appear to his faithful remnant in the New Jerusalem (Jacob 5:72, D&C 103:15-20).
15 Behold, I say unto you, the redemption of Zion must needs come by power;
16 Therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man, who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel.
17 For ye are the children of Israel, and of the seed of Abraham, and ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched-out arm.
18 And as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be.
19 Therefore, let not your hearts faint, for I say not unto you as I said unto your fathers: Mine angel shall go up before you, but not my presence.
20 But I say unto you: Mine angels shall go up before you, and also my presence, and in time ye shall possess the goodly land.
After the servants gather out the faithful into safety, the faithful remnant grows and thrives. This is thanks to the guidance and protection of the Lord.
Wild Olive Branches Removed & Zion Achieved
The finishing of the separation of the wheat and tares continues during this time. “The wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof” (Jacob 5:73). The servants labor right up until the Lord comes in glory. The servants establish Zion, under the Lord’s power, protection and guidance.
74 …thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit, and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.
Millennial Rest & Evil Fruit Returns to the Vineyard
Verse 75 begins the millennial period where the Lord rewards the faithful servants for their labors.
75 And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants, and said unto them: Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will… I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard.
Good Fruit is Becoming God’s Sons & Daughters
Many will receive the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost (or laying up fruit) during the millennium (Jacob 5:76). At the end of the millennium, “evil fruit” will return to the vineyard and disrupt the peace of the earth. The great battle of Gog and Magog will ensue, with it’s casting out of the unworthy fruit (Jacob 5:77)
77 …when the time cometh that evil fruit shall again come into my vineyard, then will I cause the good and the bad to be gathered; and the good will I preserve unto myself, and the bad will I cast away into its own place. And then cometh the season and the end, and my vineyard will I cause to be burned with fire.
Jacob’s Allegory of the Olive Tree Explanation
The house of Israel is the tame olive tree (Jacob 6:1) in the allegory of the olive tree. God knows that initially his people are not sufficiently strong enough to enter into the covenants designed to sanctify them. This can only come through the blood of the lamb, eventually making them as he is.
Again The Second Time to Recover His People
However, in His mercy, He gives them every opportunity through the process of eternal lives to do so. This “second time” is often interpreted on two levels:
- Moses exodus and then the exodus that Joseph Smith will yet lead.
- Joseph Smith’s first and second ministries.
God sends again his servants, shortly before the second coming and they gather Israel one last time. This is “even the last time, that the servants of the Lord shall go forth in his power” (Jacob 6:2).
The Laborers’ Work is Separating Wheat From Tares
The servants separate out the wheat, and bind upon the tares the final testimony for their destruction (Jacob 6:3). They will have proven that they had rejected all efforts from God’s servants to offer the Lord’s salvation. This work will commence among Latter-day Saints and all branches who have the scriptures of the restoration.
Although most of Israel rejects God and won’t come unto Him, God still “stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long.” He gives them every opportunity to repent, return, and ascend along with those who ultimately will (Jacob 6:4). Jacob pleads: ye are Israel, God’s arm of mercy is extended to you. Take it, repent, and return (Jacob 6:5).
Today, we must decide to “hear his voice” and “harden not your hearts” (Jacob 6:6). We do this by offering up a broken heart & contrite spirit to the Lord. This shows the Lord that we are willing to take upon us His name and do His will. That we are truly willing to worship him “in spirit and truth.”
After Ye Have Been Nourished By the Good Word of God
At the end of the allegory of the olive tree, Jacob is reminding his audience of some uncomfortable truths. His audience are those who profess to believe in the Book of Mormon. He emphasizes: You (his readers) “have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long” (Jacob 6:7). You’ve had the spirit poured out upon you. The prophecies from God’s true messengers are in your hands every Sunday morning. You skim over the doctrine of Christ in plainness. You call a lifeless, $32,000,000 building “the great symbol of your membership” in God’s kingdom, instead of the assurances (comforters) of redemption from Christ himself. Don’t harden your heart and go on to destruction!
The truth is, many Latter-day Saints worship and follow their leaders. These ecclesiastical administrators do not teach them the doctrine of Christ by the power and authority of the Holy Ghost. Latter-day Saints offer up to God services, offerings, rituals, covenants and worship patterns that He has never asked of us. Latter-day Saints (like others) must repent, return, and come unto Christ in the manner that He instructs (Jacob 6:8-10).
Repent Ye & Enter in At The Strait Gate
Latter-day Saints must receive the doctrine of Christ and offer up as a sacrifice broken hearts and contrite spirits. If we repent and “enter in at the strait gate” (receive baptism of fire and Holy Ghost), we’re God’s children. After that, we endure to the end (feast upon Christ’s words) until we return to His presence in the flesh.
11 O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life.
O Be Wise; What Can I Say More?
12 O be wise; what can I say more?
13 Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear. Amen.
Wise virgins “take the Holy Spirit as their guide” always. Therefore, they receive the truth and avoid deception. The fullness of the gospel is restored again through Joseph Smith in his second ministry. The separation among the Latter-day Saints is taking place, and the fullness gospel will be declared by “the strength of the Lord’s house” and taken to the four quarters of the earth.
Zenos’s allegory of the olive tree as summarized by Jacob is a powerful wake-up call to those who seek to be part of the Lord’s people.
Key scriptures: Jacob 5:49-77; Jacob 6:1-13; D&C 101:43-66, D&C 103:1-28, D&C 45:56-57,25-45; 2 Nephi 28:14,21,24-28,32; D&C 76:56-58,63-69; D&C 84:56-59
