For chapter 5, I am not going to be writing an interpretation of Zenos’s allegory of the tame and wild olive trees. You can find lots of better sources for that. I will be commenting on what I think is interesting to me today.
5:3
“For behold, thus saith the Lord, I will liken thee, O house of Israel, like unto a tame olive tree, which a man took and nourished in his vineyard; and it grew, and waxed old, and began to decay.” What does it mean, for us, to wax old and begin to decay?
I think it means that we aren’t as diligently feeding our spirit. We aren’t connecting to our roots as often as we should. Old pathways of spirituality have atrophied from non-use. Activities that were once exciting and frequent have become tired and rare.
The reason a tree will decay is because of a lack of nutrients. Whether those nutrients are of the soil or of photosynthesis from sunlight - as soon as the tree is deprived of them, decay is inevitable.
It usually happens slowly, over a long time - almost at an imperceptible pace. We won’t even notice it. The key is to maintain those strong connections between roots and leaves and ensure that it has the nutrients that it needs. If we are valiant in our care of a tree, it won’t ever “wax old, and begin to decay.” It is the same with our testimonies. If we are constantly feeding our spiritual selves, there is NO chance of waxing old and decaying.
5:7, 11, 13, 32, 51, 66
In these six verses, there is the same phrase spoken buy the Lord of the vineyard. “It grieveth me that I should lose this tree.” I’m not sure I’ve heard the same phrase repeated four times in a single chapter. I think Zenos was definitely sending the message how much the Lord wants EVERYONE to be reconciled. I’m reminded of Elder Kearon’s quote in this most recent General Conference. "God is in relentless pursuit of you." Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ care deeply. They feel emotions. They are grieved when we rebel and reject them.
5:18
“And he said unto the servant: Behold, the branches of the wild tree have taken hold of the moisture of the root thereof, that the root thereof hath brought forth much strength; and because of the much strength of the root thereof the wild branches have brought forth tame fruit.” This is the effect that the gospel can have on someone. There is so much moisture available from the roots of this church, anyone who actively taps into it will bring forth good fruit. I’ve seen the gospel soften hearts and help new members change course.
The key is that they “take hold of the moisture.” If you graft a new branch onto an old tree but not connect that branch to the moisture provided from the roots, it’ll die quick enough. I’ve also seen new members fall away quickly because they never do take hold to the moisture from the tree’s roots.
Moisture from the roots can be:
Studying scripture.
Listening to modern day prophets.
Building relationships with other ward members.
Serving in a calling.
Attending sabbath meetings.
5:22
“And it came to pass that 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.” It doesn’t matter our circumstances, any person can be nourished by the gospel. Whether we are born into a wealthy family or into poverty, all can be nourished by the gospel. No matter the situation in your life, you can always choose to be nourished and then produce righteous acts.
5:25
“And he said unto the servant: Look hither and behold the last. Behold, this have I planted in a good spot of ground; and I have nourished it this long time, and only a part of the tree hath brought forth tame fruit, and the other part of the tree hath brought forth wild fruit; behold, I have nourished this tree like unto the others.” God doesn’t withhold any spiritual nourishment from any of us. The nourishment provided, whether the ground is good or not, is the same.
The difference is how the tree receives the nourishment. It is this way for us. If you’re reading this, you have access to all of the gospel library. You have access to all known scripture, countless manuals, past General Conference talks, etc. If your testimony isn’t receiving the nourishment that it needs to flourish, it is you - not the nourishment itself.
I’ve seen many ex-members who claim that the church damaged them or their families. They blame the church and even claim to have post traumatic stress disorder from the experience. It doesn’t appear to occur to them that THEY might be the problem! I say blame the tree - not the nourishment.
5:32
“But behold, this time it hath brought forth much fruit, and there is none of it which is good. And behold, there are all kinds of bad fruit; and it profiteth me nothing, notwithstanding all our labor; and now it grieveth me that I should lose this tree.” The key to a spiritually-productive life is to bring the right kind of fruit. If we are busy producing bad fruit, it is good for nothing.
Imagine I’m producing wealth and prosperity but not growing as a disciple of Christ, is the fruit I am producing good for anything beyond my short life? Surely, that kind of fruit “profiteth me nothing, notwithstanding all of our labor.” The goal is to bring forth fruit that is eternally good.
5:33
“And the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: What shall we do unto the tree, that I may preserve again good fruit thereof unto mine own self?” I love that the Lord is asking the servant for a solution. This allows for an opportunity for the servant to progress and grow as he develops a possible strategy.
I had an experience recently where I was desperate for a solution. I prayed and asked God for help. I got the distinct impression that I needed to do all that I could. I had a few ideas of what to do and did them. I pled again with Heavenly Father saying that I had done what I could and it still wasn’t working and I needed his help. Soon after, I received detailed instructions about how to solve my problem. I did exactly what I had seen in my head and it worked immediately.
The Lord wants us to do what we can first.
5:40
“And the wild fruit of the last had overcome that part of the tree which brought forth good fruit, even that the branch had withered away and died.” It is often easier to successfully be a bad influence on someone and bring them down than it is to be a good influence and bring them up. Why is that?
I think part of it is that we are swimming in a world of worldliness. Of course it’s easier to breathe in the wickedness that is all around us. The world is very visible to us always. The eternal world is not visible. We see it through faith. It’s harder to see things through an eternal lens. We should be mindful of this as we navigate this world and attempt to pull others up.
5:48, 66
“And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard—have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good?” Our spiritual progression should line upon line. We exercise faith as we learn. As we do, our faithfulness progresses alongside our knowledge. Increased knowledge can lead to pride. If you click on the link to “loftiness,” it connects you to “pride.” As I see those who have become corrupted, there does appear to have a pride thread throughout every story I hear.
If we attempt to progress intellectually without the exercise of faith, we can outpace our faith. We can become disconnected to the roots that provide the nourishment we need. “And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves. Behold, I say, is not this the cause that the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted?” An intellectually based testimony isn’t connected to the roots of faith and is more likely to be corrupted. I think most critics of the church fall into this category.
“For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard.” I think this is what Zenos is saying - our faith and our knowledge grow at the same pace.
5:61, 72, 75
“Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.” We are the servants.
“And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.” I love the idea that the Lord is laboring right along with us. He’s not a detached observer. He is, and always has, giving everything that he has to ensure that not one of us is lost.
“And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard.” This battle we are in will be won. It is important that we keep this in mind. Our victory is already secured. We are on the winning team.
Our role is to be diligent in our labor.
6:3
“And how blessed are they who have labored diligently in his vineyard; and how cursed are they who shall be cast out into their own place! And the world shall be burned with fire.” We want to be counted among those who have “labored diligently in his vineyard.” What does that mean for you and I? What opportunities are there to labor? Are we taking advantage of each opportunity? We can probably do better.
I think it’s an interesting phrase that Jacob uses later in this verse. “cursed are they who shall be cast out into their own place.” I’m not sure but if I am being “cast out” to a place, it’s not a good place. Why would this place be considered my “own place?” I think it will be where we want to be. It will be a place where we’re most comfortable. This place is created by our own will. By doing what we want to do, we create a place that is ours. It’s not the Lord’s place. It is our place. The kingdom that WE create is truly a cursed place.
6:4
“…they are a stiffnecked and gainsaying people.” I had to look up what “gainsaying meant.” Some synonyms are: “challenge, declare untrue, challenge, shoot full of holes, discredit, debunk, disprove.” Consider those who have left the church and are actively working against it. They’re biggest source of pleasure is to gainsay the gospel. There’s nothing that gives them more enjoyment. Truly Jacob saw our day.
6:5
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you.” How can we cleave to God like he cleaves to us? Well, let’s first consider how God cleaves to us.
His work and his glory is based on our progression.
He sacrificed his son for our salvation.
He directed Jesus to create this world for us.
He listens to every prayer.
He has preserved scripture for our benefit.
He speaks with prophets to give us direction.
I could go on and on. The point is that God is working for us - seemingly every second of every day. He is 100% committed. He’s giving this everything that he has to offer. He’s holding nothing back. None of us can offer anything that he doesn’t already have - yet he selflessly works for us. He truly, truly loves us. He cleaves to us.
This is a good example of how we can cleave to him. We can hold nothing back. We can have no ulterior motives other than love. We can serve him at every opportunity. We can listen to him when we pray. We can study the scriptures that he’s preserved for us. We can really get in touch with our love for him. This is all part of cleaving to him.
6:6
“Yea, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; for why will ye die?” We should ask ourselves this question. What are the reasons why we would allow ourselves to spiritually die? Asked another way, what worldly reasons or rewards would motivate us to spiritually die. What’s worth it? Could there be anything worth it? If we think about it, no meaningless, temporary, worldly reward is worth our eternal souls. If we can simply keep that eternal perspective in the forefront of our mind, we will find less reasons to “die.”
6:7-9
These verses really lay out what the Lord does for us and the consequences for knowingly rebelling against what we know and reject the many gifts that we are being offered. “For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire?” If we are nourished all day long and reject it - we will certainly be hewn down.
Jacob provides a list of what we’ve been given.
“Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him.”
“…and deny the good word of Christ.”
“…and the power of God.”
“…and the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
If we willfully rebel and:
“…quench the Holy Spirit.”
“…make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you?”
The consequences will be bad. “Know ye not that if ye will do these things, that the power of the redemption and the resurrection, which is in Christ, will bring you to stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of God?” It is the knowing rebellion that really affects our spiritual destiny. Why wouldn’t it. If we knowingly rebel now, are we NOT going to knowingly rebel when the veil is lifted? If our character is to rejects the gifts of God, how will we not reject further gifts from God. Rebellion is setting up an awful destiny for those who rebel.
6:12
“O be wise; what can I say more?” The plan of salvation can be easily understood. It isn’t a scientific mystery. It is plan and precious. To be wise is to utilize what we know and make good decisions. Keeping the eternities in mind as we live our day-to-day lives is a good way to be wise.
7:2, 4 - 5
“And it came to pass that he began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ.” Why is flattery so convincing? Of course it has to do with pride. We LOVE hearing things that are pleasing to us. There is nothing more pleasing than flattery.
“And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil.” If you find someone who is very articulate and speaks well, especially under pressure, then you have a very convincing guy. I have seen many people like this on the internet. They use flattery to draw people in and use their intelligence and articulate speech to persuade. Sherem is definitely one of these people. If someone is very convincing, that doesn’t mean they are right. In fact, the devil himself may be giving power to the deceiver.
I’ve seen it happen in person and online. Unfortunately, the person they are speaking with hasn’t thought through their convictions very much and can’t articulate a compelling argument to contradict what’s being said. The flattering person almost always has the upper hand. It’s hard to watch. I’m not suggesting that the attacked person should fight back with an opposing argument (although that would be great to watch). Instead, they should follow Jacob’s example.
First, why was Jacob so unshaken by Sherem? “And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.” Certainly, if you have received the revelations that Jacob had received and literally heard the voice of the Lord, it would be impossible for someone to convince you otherwise.
But, chances are we are not in the same situation as Jacob was. However, we can approach the convincing deceivers in much the same way.
Ensure that we have the Spirit with us. “But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words.” If we lean on our own understanding and power of compelling speech, we won’t win this argument. The ONLY way we may have any effect on the deceiver is to invite the Spirit into this conversation.
Ask questions and build from there. Rather than being on the defense, ask questions to understand their thinking. A well placed question is an invitation. An invitation is an opportunity for the person to feel the Spirit. Jacob starts by asking two questions: First, “Deniest thou the Christ who shall come?” Second, “Believest thou the scriptures?” These two questions helped Jacob understand what Sherem’s problem was and the possible problem with his argument. Once Jacob understood that Sherem believed the scriptures, they had common ground that they could reference. Jacob’s response did this, “Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ.”
Testify according to promptings from the Spirit. At the end of the day, it is your testimony that has the greatest chance of helping the deceiver feel the Spirit. “And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost.” It is impossible to argue with a testimony. In this case, Sherem doesn’t argue but switches his strategy to ask for a sign. Typical.
7:18-19
Sherem is converted and attempts to repent by speaking with the crowd. “And he spake plainly unto them, that he had been deceived by the power of the devil. And he spake of hell, and of eternity, and of eternal punishment.” Of course, Sherem has fear that his future is bleak. “And he said: I fear lest I have committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ, and said that I believed the scriptures; and they truly testify of him. And because I have thus lied unto God I greatly fear lest my case shall be awful; but I confess unto God.” He was filled with fear because he was aware of his sin.
I have hope for Sherem. I think he is repentant. He is not continuing to openly rebel. I do not think that his “case shall be awful.” He is headed in the right direction. God will give him another chance I’m sure. Jesus is full of grace and mercy.
7:23
Without contention, beautiful things can happen in a community. “And it came to pass that peace and the love of God was restored again among the people; and they searched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man.” Understanding the scriptures is a catalyst to developing peace and love in a community. A community of scripture-strengthened people is immune to the words of wicked men.
7:26
Jacob writes an interesting phrase. “…our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream.” Isn’t that how it is? Time is traveling by so quickly. This morning, Marci and I were astonished that it had been a year since we were in Israel. It seems so recent. I thought about how I likely have ~20-30 years left in my life. It will go by so quickly. At the end, it will seem like it all was a dream. We should live every day with purpose.
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