Book of Mormon 2020 - Jacob 5-7

My original post on Jacob 5 to 7, written in 2016, can be found at: https://gospeldoctrine2016.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-of-mormon-13-allegory-of-olive.html

The olive trees

The allegory of the olive trees is both complex and simple. We know that Christ used parables to teach gospel principles, so it was interesting to consider the differences between a parable and an allegory, and why this allegory is so important. A parable is a simple story that typically ends with a moral lesson. It uses symbols, similes (where one thing is said to be ‘like’ another, e.g. his voice was like the sound of sweet honey trickling into my ears), and metaphor (where one thing is said to ‘be’ another – it ‘is’ something, it is not just ‘like’ something, e.g. his voice was sweet honey trickling into my ears). A parable can be allegorical. The olive trees can be understood as a parable and as an allegory. An allegory is more complex. In an allegory characters, figures, and events are used to represent abstract principles and ideas. The allegory is a complete narrative where each element in the story has a deep meaning. This is shown in the wonderful infographic below.

The First Visit represents the time before Christ; the Second Visit stands for the time that Christ was on the earth; the Third Visit is the period of the Great Apostasy; and, the Fourth Visit is the restoration of the gospel. The allegory concludes with the Millennium. 

Brother S. Michael Wilcox advocates reading the olive trees as a parable that portrays the Good Shepherd, doing everything in His power for all of us. The grafting, counter-grafting, fertilising, and tender care, is a demonstration of the great love He has for us. It is illuminating for those who know they are in ‘rich soil’ as is shows the huge responsibility to produce good fruit after receiving so many blessings. It is comforting to those who have started out in ‘poor soil’. In Jacob 5:21-23, we read, “… the servant said unto his master: How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard. And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit…Look hither; behold I have planted another branch of the tree also; and thou knowest that this spot of ground was poorer than the first. But, behold the tree. I have nourished it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit; therefore, gather it, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self.” I was fortunate to have been planted in rich soil. I learned the gospel as a child. My parents loved me and encouraged me to live gospel principles. I was temporarily placed in ‘poor soil’ and suffered hardships because of poor decision-making but was grafted back into the original tree. It is my responsibility to live the best life I can.

We are guided to an understanding of the path needed to obtain unshakeable faith by the counsel of Jacob. In Jacob 4:6, we are told that the first step in obtaining unshakeable faith is to “search the prophets”. The up-coming General Conference will be special. President Nelson has told us that it will be a “unique conference that will commemorate the very foundations of the restored gospel” (KSL News). It will be even more memorable as a conference that will be delivered digitally, with no live attendees, due to the Coronavirus. This is the perfect opportunity to “search the prophets”, as Jacob suggested. This is where we can hear the words as if from the Lord Himself – guidance for us, now. If we prepare, as recommended by the Prophet, we will build our faith. We will need unshakeable faith in the days to come.

There is a huge contrast between the kind, hard-working vineyard owner in the allegory, and the first anti-Christ in the Book of Mormon, Sherem. In Jacob 7:1 we read “there came a man among the people of Nephi”. This could mean that Sherem was not a Nephite. He was well-presented and well-spoken. He used flattery to try to persuade the people that Jacob’s teaching about Christ was based on lies. He claimed that the Law of Moses was the only thing the people needed. I love the representation of the incident between Jacob and Sherem as portrayed in the Book of Mormon video below. Jacob is full of humility while Sherem is proud and arrogant. The Lord smites Sherem so that he is struck to the ground. Before his death, Sherem confesses to the people that he was wrong.

If we do not want to be deceived by false prophets and anti-Christs, we need to follow our true prophet, President Russell M. Nelson and the General Authorities, be obedient, live worthy of a valid temple recommend, and have courage. The Come Follow Me programme is designed to assist us, especially at this precarious time when we are in shut-down, unable to meet in chapels, and unable to attend a temple. I pray that we will use the time we have to study the scriptures, old and modern, learn about Christ, and follow His example and teachings.

Quorum of the Twelve