The Book of Mormon: Another Witness

In your reading, try to identify doctrines of Christ by looking for the main message of the writer. In other words, what basic principle(s) of the gospel might the writer want you to recognize and apply in your own life? What is his purpose in writing?

 

1. Read Jacob 5:1-3 with chapter headnote, 1 Nephi 19:10-16, and Helaman 8:19. What do we know about Zenos, the original author of the allegory of the olive tree? What does the tame olive tree represent in Zenos' allegory?

 

 

BONUS: Read the quote from Zenos recorded in Alma 33:3-15. What did Zenos want us to understand?

 

 

2. Read Jacob 5:4-14, with footnotes 8a, 10a and 14a. During his first visit, what was the master of the vineyard willing to do to save his olive tree? Did it work? What further steps did he take to ensure a bountiful crop?

 

 

3. Read Jacob 5:15-28. During his second visit to the vineyard, what was the master planning to do? What kinds of fruit did he find growing on the original tree? On the "nethermost" trees?

 

 

4. Read Jacob 5:29-49, with footnote 30a. What kind of fruit did the master find on his third visit? From Jacob 5:41, how did the master react? How had the trees become corrupted?

 

 

5. Read Jacob 5:50-60, with footnote 52a. How do the actions taken by the master and servant relate to the gathering of Israel in the latter days? What might the natural roots and branches represent?

 

 

6. Read Jacob 5:61-72 with footnote 61c. How do the acts of pruning, grafting, digging, and dunging relate to the four areas of emphasis in today's church: perfect the saints, proclaim the gospel, redeem the dead, care for the poor and needy? Note in Jacob 5:72 - who is laboring, and how do they labor? Why is there urgency?

 

 

7. Read Jacob 5:73-77. What happened to wild branches and bad fruit? From Jacob 5:75, why were the servants of the master blessed? 

 

 

BONUS: List how olives were used in ancient Israel.