The Allegory of the Olive Tree, Sherem and Enos

In institute this morning we discussed Jacob 6-Enos. Here are some of the things we discussed.

The Allegory of the Olive Tree (Jacob 5)

1. Symbolism (v. where first appears)
   • Tame Olive Tree = the house of Israel (v. 3)
   • Vineyard = the world (v.3)
   • decay = apostasy (v.3)
   • master/Lord of the vineyard = God (either the Father or the Son) (v.4)
   • Pruning and digging = the Lord's work and care for his people (v.4)
   • branches = groups of people (v.4)
   • main top = leadership (v.6)
   • servants = prophets, the Savior, others are perhaps missionaries and members (v.7, 70)
   • wild olive tree = Gentiles (v.7)
   • cast into the fire = judgement (v.7)
   • grafting = spiritual rebirth, (also a means of scattering and gathering Israel) (v.8)
   • root = covenants, source of strength (v.8)
   • fruit = lives and works of men (v.8)
   • loftiness = pride (v.48)
   Olive trees take at least five years to bear fruit, and live about 500 years. They are the longest living fruit-bearing tree.
2. There are seven sections to the allegory:
   • The house of Israel - v. 3
   • The scattering of Israel - v. 4-14
   • The former-day saints (the time of Jesus' original church) - v. 15-25
   • Apostasy (dark ages) - v. 29-49
   • The Gathering of Israel (and restoration) - v. 50-74
   • The Millenium - v. 74-76
   • the Last Judgement Day - v. 77
   These sections contain the history of the House of Israel.
3. This allegory says a lot about the love and care that God has for his people. Some favorite verses are:
   • "It grieveth me that I should lose this tree and the fruit thereof." (v. 13)
   • "I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. And it grieveth me that I should hew down all te trees of my vineyard... Who is it that has corrupted my vineyard?" (v. 47)
4. Elder Jeffrey R Holland said about this allegory:

   “This allegory as recounted by Jacob is from the outset intended to be about Christ. … Even as the Lord of the vineyard and his workers strive to bolster, prune, purify, and otherwise make productive their trees in what amounts to a one-chapter historical sketch of the scattering and gathering of Israel, the deeper meaning of the Atonement undergirds and overarches their labors. In spite of cuttings and graftings and nourishings that mix and mingle trees in virtually all parts of the vineyard, it is bringing them back to their source that is the principal theme of this allegory. Returning, repenting, reuniting—at-one-ment—this is the message throughout." (see quote from manual)

Sherem, The anti-Christ (Jacob 7)

1. Sherem was a charismatic, educated, flattering, persuasive, powerful speaker.  He was the equivalent of a modern day "spin doctor". He was diligent in his labors to overthrow the doctrine of Christ.
2. Sherem sought out Jacob deliberately. It was suggested in class that Sherem believed if he could take down the religious leader, that everyone else would follow.
3. Jacob "could not be shaken" (Jacob 7:5) because of his faith and his testimony.
4. Several quotes were read:
   
   • Joseph F. Smith said that those who seek after a sign are on a slippery slope. (General Conference Apr 1900)
   • Joseph Smith said that it is a wicked generation that seeks signs.
   • Signs come by faith, by the will of God. (See D&C 63:9-12)
   In other words, don't seek after signs. If you have faith and God is pleased with you, signs will come.
   
5. We must avoid being deceived by false teachers like Sherem, and there are a lot more of them around today.
6. Ezra Taft Benson suggested three questions we can ask to avoid being deceived. They are:
1. What do the standard works (scriptures) have to say about it? (See also Jacob 7:23)
2. What does the Prophet say about it?
3. What does the Holy Ghost tell me about it?
7. President Ezra Taft Benson gave a talk entitled, "Watchman, Warn the Wicked" from which we read many quotes in class.
8. We were encouraged to watch this video, on protecting religious freedom.

 Enos

1. Enos pondered on the words of his father, Jacob. (Enos 1:3)
2. His soul hungered. Hungering is a deep desire. (v. 5)
3. Enos trusted in God's word. (v. 6)
4. Because of Enos' faith in Christ, his sins were forgiven - even though the atonement hadn't actually been made yet, and wouldn't be made for hundreds of years.
5. Enos began with himself, with his own faith and repentance. When he had gained his own assurance, he began to have charity for others - first for his family and brethren, and then his charity expanded to include his enemies. He sets an example for us:
   "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (Luke 22:32)