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Lesson 13: The Allegory of the Olive Trees
Jacob 5 is infamously known as the longest chapter in not only the Book of Mormon, but also in all of scripture. It contains Zenos’ Allegory of the Olive Trees, which was presumably included in the brass plates, and subsequently quoted by Jacob. The story can generally be outlined as follows.
- Treating the Decaying Olive Tree by Pruning and Digging
- Treating the Decaying Olive Tree by Grafting and Transplanting
- Revival of the Olive Tree
- Additional Decay
- Treating the Further Decay by Grafting and Burning
- A Final Effort
- Recovery and Success
- Additional Decay Foretold
- Jacob’s Comments
The symbolism is rich and complex, and as is the case with most figurative expositions, can be understood on several levels. Generally, it is understood as a historical recounting of certain aspects of the house of Israel, as well as a foretelling its future and destiny.
As a starting point for comprehension, the CES institute manual proposes the following interpretations for the symbolic elements of the story:
| Item | Interpretation |
| 1. The vineyard | 1. The world |
| 2. Master of the vineyard | 2. Jesus Christ |
| 3. The servant | 3. The Lord’s prophets |
| 4. Tame olive tree | 4. The house of Israel, the Lord’s covenant people |
| 5. Wild olive tree | 5. Gentiles, or non-Israel (later in the parable, wild branches are apostate Israel) |
| 6. Branches | 6. Groups of people |
| 7. The roots of the tame olive tree | 7. The gospel covenant and promises made by God that constantly give life and sustenance to the tree |
| 8. Fruit of the tree | 8. The lives or works of men |
| 9. Digging, pruning, fertilizing | 9. The Lord’s work with his children, which seeks to persuade them to be obedient and produce good fruit |
| 10. Transplanting the branches | 10. Scattering of groups throughout the world, or restoring them to their original position |
| 11. Grafting | 11. The process of spiritual rebirth wherein one is joined to the covenant |
| 12. Decaying branches | 12. Wickedness and apostasy |
| 13. Casting the branches into the fire | 13. The judgment of God |
For an overview of the narrative, please refer to the Olive Tree Allegory page.
The take home message from the allegory is the untiring efforts, labor, and love that the Lord and his servants put into the vineyard, or us.
Jeffery R. Holland refers to this allegory in a deeply moving way as he illustrates to love of God, his concern for us, and his sadness and frustration when we use our free will unwisely.
“In the midst of a grand vision of humankind which heaven opened to his view, Enoch, observing both the blessings and challenges of mortality, turns his gaze toward the Father and is stunned to see Him weeping. He says in wonder and amazement to this most powerful Being in the universe: “How is it that thou canst weep? … Thou art just [and] merciful and kind forever; … Peace … is the habitation of thy throne; and mercy shall go before thy face and have no end; how is it thou canst weep?”
Looking out on the events of almost any day, God replies: “Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands. … I gave unto them … [a] commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood. … Wherefore should not the heavens weep, seeing these shall suffer?”
That single, riveting scene does more to teach the true nature of God than any theological treatise could ever convey. It also helps us understand much more emphatically that vivid moment in the Book of Mormon allegory of the olive tree, when after digging and dunging, watering and weeding, trimming, pruning, transplanting, and grafting, the great Lord of the vineyard throws down his spade and his pruning shears and weeps, crying out to any who would listen, “What could I have done more for my vineyard?”” (“The Grandeur of God,” Ensign, Nov. 2003, 70)
While Jacob 5 is typically hard to read, it is well worth it for those who are seeking understanding, and read it in an open and interpretative state of mind.
