BOOK OF MORMON - LESSON 13
Jacob 5-7
"The Allegory Of The Olive Trees"


Scriptural Highlights

A study of this lesson will help us better understand Zenos's allegory of the olive trees and how it applies in our day.


Jacob 5 & 6

  1. In Lesson 12 we discussed the fact that Jacob was commissioned by Nephi to write only that which was of great value or "most precious".
  2.  WHO WAS ZENOS?
  3. WHAT IS AN ALLEGORY?
Scattering & Gathering
  1. WHAT IS THE OVERALL THEME OF ZENOS ALLEGORY?
  2. Basic principles concerning the scattering & gathering:
Metaphors from the Allegory of the Olive Trees
  1. Vineyard = The world.
  2. Tame olive tree = The house of Israel (v3).
  3. Wild olive tree = The Gentiles (those who are not of the house of Israel by birth).
  4. Master of the vineyard = The Lord.
  5. The servant = A prophet or prophets.
  6. Grafting natural branches into the wild trees = Branches of Israel dispersed among Gentiles.
  7. Grafting wild branches into the natural tree = Adoption of Gentiles into Israel.
  8. Pruning, nourishing, and cultivating = The work of the Lord and his servants to save their people.
  9. Natural fruit = Faithful Saints and their righteous works, worthy of eternal life (v61).
  10. Wild fruit = Unfaithful individuals and their unrighteous works.
  11. NOTE: These same symbols were used by Paul which might indicate that he was acquainted with the allegory of Zenos.
The Allegory
  1. First Visit to the vineyard:
  2. Second visit to the vineyard:
  3. Third visit to the vineyard:
  4. Fourth visit to the vineyard:
  5. Jacob's summary of the allegory is found in Jacob 6.
  6. In addition to the lesson manual, information on Zenos' allegory was also obtained from:

Jacob 7

  1. WHY DO YOU THINK SHEREM WAS ABLE TO LEAD SO MANY PEOPLE AWAY FROM THE TRUTH? (v1-7).
  2. WHAT EVIDENCE TO YOU SEE THAT SOME PEOPLE TODAY USE SIMILAR METHODS TO LEAD OTHERS AWAY FROM CHRIST?
  3. HOW WAS JACOB ABLE TO CONFOUND SHEREM?
  4. HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES FROM THE DECEPTIONS OF ANTI-CHRISTS TODAY?
    1. See v23 - they searched the scriptures.
    2. Romans 16:17-18:  "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
          "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
    3. Live to be worthy of the Spirit.

Next Lesson


Home Page Gospel Doctrine Class Nature Gone Wild
Home Improvement Family Pages Favorite Links Photo Gallery
 

Page created by: bbeard1@ix.netcom.com. Please E-Mail comments.
Changes last made on: Mar 25 2000