The Parable of The Olive Tree

Introduction

(For a synopsis of the Parable of Zenos, See also The Old Man and the Tree)

Joseph Smith was once asked how to understand the meaning to parables given in the scriptures.  Joseph's response was that in order to understand the parable, one must first discern the question which prompted the parable.

This handout is designed to help understand the parable given in the Book of Mormon in Jacob chapter 3.  It is not intended to be a 'paper' as such, but rather an outline that one may use for scriptural references when studying the parable.

But to first understand the parable, we need to seek out the question asked that prompted the response.

The question which solicits this entire prophecy (for it is a thorough, specific, accurate foretelling of events to come for the church and world) is contained in Jacob 3:28:

…22 But behold, the Jews were a stiff-necked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand.

23 Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall:

24 For God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they can not understand, because they desired it.

25 And because they desired it, God hath done it, that they may stumble.

26 And now I, Jacob, am led on by the Spirit unto prophesying: for I perceive by the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that by the stumbling of the Jews, they will reject the stone upon which they might build, and have safe foundation.

27 But behold, according to the scriptures, this stone shall become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation, upon which the Jews can build.

28 And now, my beloved, how is it possible that these, after having rejected the sure foundation, can ever build upon it, that it may become the head of their corner?

In other words, Jacob is saying 'How will the Jews come back to Christ after they have already rejected & crucified  him?'

The answer, comprises the rest of the chapter. 

The story beautifully illustrates the process by which God will bring his ancient covenant people back to a knowledge of him. 

While this allegory may seem overwhelming by it's mere length, and perhaps may seem unclear given its multitude of symbolic references (Master of Vineyard, tame trees, wild trees, pruning, grafting, nourishing, visiting the vineyard, etc…), this allegory was NOT intended to be shrouded in mystery (as were some other parables);  rather, it WAS intended to be understood. 

The symbolism used in this parable is easily defined by other scripture, which God gave to us for  our understanding.  If God wanted us to understand these events, why then is this particular scripture given in story form? The answer is quite simple:  We humans remember stories easier than we recall sermons, history, etc.  Therefore, God gave us a story that we can remember, define, and apply its understanding to scriptural events--events of the past and events of the days to come.

Ultimately the story's message is this:  Because of disobedience to God's word, the covenant people would be scattered.  In a day when they come to a knowledge of Christ again and believe, they would be gathered together again.  (Deuteronomy chapters 29 & 30).  Nephi wrote:

1 Nephi 5:242 …And to be buried in a sepulcher, according to the words of Zenos, which he spake concerning the three days of darkness,

243 Which should be a sign given of his death, unto those who should inhabit the isles of the sea;

244 More especially given unto those who are of the house of Israel.

245 For thus spake the prophet, The Lord God surely shall visit all the house of Israel at that day;

246 Some with his voice, because of their righteousness, unto their great joy and salvation;

247 And others with the thunderings and the lightnings of his power, by tempest, by fire, and by smoke, and vapor of darkness, and by the opening of the earth, and by mountains which shall be carried up;

248 And all these things must surely come, saith the prophet Zenos.

249 And the rocks of the earth must rend;

250 And because of the groanings of the earth, many of the kings of the isles of the sea shall be wrought upon by the Spirit of God, to exclaim, The God of nature suffers.

251 And as for those who are at Jerusalem, saith the prophet, they shall be scourged by all people, because they crucify the God of Israel, and turn their hearts aside, rejecting signs and wonders, and power and glory of the God of Israel;

252 And because they turn their hearts aside, saith the prophet, and have despised the Holy One of Israel, they shall wander in the flesh, and perish, and become a hiss and a byword, and be hated among all nations;

253 Nevertheless, when that day cometh, saith the prophet, that they no more turn aside their hearts against the Holy One of Israel, then will he remember the covenants which he made to their fathers;

254 Yea, then will he remember the isles of the sea;

255 Yea, and all the people who are of the house of Israel, will I gather in, saith the Lord, according to the words of the prophet Zenos, from the four quarters of the earth;

This parable which compares the covenant people to a tame olive tree.  While we study it from the Book of Mormon, is was not 'created' or originally written by the Book of Mormon writers--on the contrary, it was written by the Hebrew prophet Zenos in the land of Jerusalem some time before 600 BC.  The Nephites had a copy of it in the brass plates which they brought with them from Jerusalem.  The prophecy was apparently common knowledge among the Jews, as Paul refers to the Jews and Gentiles, using the exact symbolism of the parable, without introducing it, as if its details were already commonly held and understood (Romans chapter 11).

A few scriptures as way of introduction:

·        1 Nephi 3:16 Yea, even my father spake much concerning the Gentiles, and also concerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared like unto an olive tree, whose branches should be broken off, and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.

17 Wherefore he said it must needs be that we should be led with one accord into the land of promise, unto the fulfilling of the word of the Lord that we should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.

18 And after the house of Israel should be scattered, they should be gathered together again;

·        Matthew 21:44-55  Jesus said unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner; this is the Lord's doings, and it is marvelous in our eyes.  Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.  For whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.  And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.  And they said among themselves, Shall this man think that he alone can spoil this great kingdom? And they were angry with him, but when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they learned that the multitude took him for a prophet.  And now his disciples came to him, and Jesus said unto them, Marvel ye at the words of the parable which I spake unto them?  Verily, I say unto you, I am the stone, and those wicked ones reject me.  I am the head of the corner. These Jews shall fall upon me, and shall be broken.  And the kingdom of God shall be taken from them, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof; (meaning the Gentiles.)  Wherefore, on whomsoever this stone shall fall, it shall grind him to powder. And when the Lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, he will destroy those miserable, wicked men, and will let again his vineyard unto other husbandmen, even in the last days, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

·        Deuteronomy 29:24-29, 30:2-5 24 Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?

25 Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt;

26 For they went and served other gods, and worshiped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them; 27 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book; 28 And the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.

29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. 1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing, and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee,

2 And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

3 That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.

4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee;

5 And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.

The next section helps to define some of the events in the Parable of the Olive Tree.

Prophecy of Zenos, Jacob Chapter 3, Worksheet.

All these terms below appear several times in the prophecy of Zenos.  Each term has significance in the understanding of what the allegory represented in the life of the House of Israel. 

For each term, look up the reference scriptures given (or use a concordance and find others--this is not an exhaustive list).  Then, in your own words, give a short definition (3 or 4 words) of what the term represents in a spiritual sense.

Full Scriptures from Worksheet Listed

Term: Vineyard

Definition: The World

References:

·        1 Nephi 3:16 Yea, even my father spake much concerning the Gentiles, and also concerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared like unto an olive tree, whose branches should be broken off, and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.

 

·        2 Nephi 8:77 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant:

 

·        1 Nephi 4:19 Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer, and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. (20) And then at that day, will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock and their salvation? (21) Yea, at that day, will they not receive the strength and nourishment from the true vine?  (22) Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God?  (23) Behold, I say unto you, Yea: they shall be remembered again among the house of Israel;  (24) They shall be grafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree;  (25) And this is what our father meaneth;   (26) And he meaneth that it will not come to pass, until after they are scattered by the Gentiles;   (27) And he meaneth that it shall come by way of the Gentiles, that the Lord may shew his power unto the Gentiles, for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the house of Israel:  (28) Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days;   (29) Which covenant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

Term: Branch

Definition:  A Group of People, a Nation

References:

·        2 Nephi 2:7 And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins, the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel;

 

·        2 Nephi 6:105 And because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations, they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel.

 

·       Jacob 2:34 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the loins of Joseph.

Term: Husbandman

Definition: The Lord God

References:

·        Luke 13:6 He spake also this parable, A certain husbandman had a fig tree planted in the vineyard. He came and sought fruit thereon and found none.

 

·        John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

 

·       James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Term: Servant, Servants

Definition: Primary Servant is Christ (the world's advocate); He is the (only) one that the master is speaking to when discussing the work needed in "the vineyard" (world). Others called (few in number) are The Priesthood

References:

·        Gen1: 2   I am the Beginning and the End; the Almighty God. By mine Only Begotten I created these things.

 

·        John 1:1 In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.

·        Jacob 3:136 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few.

 

·        I John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. But if any man sin and repent, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

 

·        Moroni  7:28 For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him, will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens?

 

·        DC 32:1e  And my vineyard has become corrupted every whit; and there is none which doeth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances, because of priestcrafts, all having corrupt minds.

 

·       DC 92:1d  But, behold, verily I say unto you, There are many who have been ordained among you, whom I have called, but few of them are chosen:

 

Term: Nourish, Prune, Dig

Definition: Preach the word, restore & teach the truth, Remove the bad

References:

·        Jacob 3:127 Graft in the branches; begin at the last, that they may be first, and that the first may be last, and dig about the trees, both old and young, the first and the last, and the last and the first, that all may be nourished once again for the last time.

 

·        Jacob 3:138 For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard: for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh;

 

·        Jacob 4:3 And in the day that he shall set his hand again the second time to recover his people, is the day, yea, even the last time, that the servants of the Lord shall go forth in his power, to nourish and prune his vineyard; and after that, the end soon cometh.

 

·        Jacob 4:11 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?

 

·        Alma 16:171 And because of your diligence, and your faith, and your patience with the word, in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by, ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white; yea, and pure above all that is pure;

 

·        Moroni  6:5 And their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

 

·       Jacob 4:11 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?

 

Term: Tame Tree

Definition: House of Israel

References:

·        Jacob 3:31 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.

 

·        Jacob 3:48 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard went his way, and hid the natural branches of the tame olive tree in the nethermost parts of the vineyard; some in one, and some in another, according to his will and pleasure.

 

·       Jacob 4:2 That the things which this prophet Zenos spake, concerning the house of Israel, in the which he likened them unto a tame olive tree, must surely come to pass.

Term: Natural tree

Definition: Original House of Israel

References:

·        Jacob 3:118 And it came to pass that they took from the natural tree which had become wild, and grafted in unto the natural trees which also had become wild: 119 And they also took of the natural trees which had become wild, and grafted into their mother tree.

 

·        Jacob 3:133 And the branches of the natural tree will I graft in again, into the natural tree; and the branches of the natural tree will I graft into the natural branches of the tree;

 

Term: Natural Branches

Definition: Natural Branches are the remnants of the House of Israel

References:

·        1 Nephi 3:19 Or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fullness of the gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer.

 

·        1 Nephi 4:14 Behold, I say unto you, that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive tree, by the Spirit of the Lord which was in our fathers;  (15) And behold, are we not broken off from the house of Israel; and are we not a branch of the house of Israel? (16) And now, the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fullness of the Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years and many generations, after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, then shall the fullness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed; (17) And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord;  (18) And then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him;  (19) Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer, and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved.

 

·        Jacob 3:48 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard went his way, and hid the natural branches of the tame olive tree in the nethermost parts of the vineyard; some in one, and some in another, according to his will and pleasure. (natural are the remnants of the House of Israel)

Term: Natural Fruit

Definition: Differs from Natural branches--Natural fruit is the correct response to the Gospel--keeping commandments, plan of salvation according to God's word

References:

·        Jacob 3:53 And he beheld that it was good: and the fruit thereof was like unto the natural fruit.

 

·        Jacob 3:125 Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our mights 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.

 

·        Jacob 3:129 And if it so be that these last grafts shall grow, and bring forth the natural fruit, then shall ye prepare the way for them, that they may grow;

 

·        Jacob 3:134 And thus will I bring them together again, that they shall bring forth the natural fruit; and they shall be one.

 

·        Jacob 3:141 And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly;

 

·        Jacob 3:143 And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself, that the trees had become again the natural fruit;

 

·        Jacob 3:144 And they became like unto one body; and the fruit were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.

 

·        Jacob 3:146 And I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning; and blessed art thou.

 

·        Jacob 3:147 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.

 

·        Alma 16:169 And thus it is if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

 

·        Alma 16:170 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold, it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life;

 

·        Alma 16:171 And because of your diligence, and your faith, and your patience with the word, in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by, ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white; yea, and pure above all that is pure;

 

·       Alma 16:172 And ye shall feast upon this fruit, even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

Term: Corrupt Fruit

Definition: Defined by Nephi as false teachings, false doctrines, churches lifted up in pride.

References:

·        2 Nephi 12:14 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted; and their churches are lifted up; because of pride, they are puffed up.

 

·        Jacob 3:87 And it came to pass that they beheld that the fruit of the natural branches had become corrupt also; yea, the first, and the second, and also the last; and they had all become corrupt.

 

·        Jacob 3:90 Behold, I knew that all the fruit of the vineyard, save it were these, had become corrupted.

 

·        Jacob 3:91 And now, these which once brought forth good fruit, have also become corrupted.

 

·        Jacob 3:97 And now behold, notwithstanding all the care which we have taken of my vineyard, the trees thereof have become corrupted, that they bring forth no good fruit:

 

·        Jacob 3:145 And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants and said unto them, Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will;

 

·        Jacob 3:147 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.

 

·        3 Nephi 6:29 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

 

·       3 Nephi 6:30 A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Term: Wild Tree

Definition: Gentiles

References:

·        Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wast grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

 

·       Romans 11:24 For it thou wast cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

Term: All kinds of fruit, all bad from one tree

Definition: Many doctrines, none authorized by God

References:

·        Jacob 3:90 Behold, I knew that all the fruit of the vineyard, save it were these, had become corrupted.

 

·        Jacob 3:91 And now, these which once brought forth good fruit, have also become corrupted.

 

·        2 Nephi 12:13 Yea, they have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.

 

·        2 Nephi 12:14 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted; and their churches are lifted up; because of pride, they are puffed up.

 

·        Helaman 2:57 And thus seeing that their laws had become corrupted, and that they had become a wicked people…

 

·        3 Nephi 6:29 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

 

·       3 Nephi 6:30 A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Term: Branches broken off, Grafting in

Definition: Grafting in means to come to a full knowledge of their redeemer

References:

·        1 Nephi 3:19 Or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fullness of the gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer.

 

·        Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wast grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

 

·       Romans 11:24 For it thou wast cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

 

Term: Destroy the Vineyard with Fire

Definition: End of the world, new heaven *& earth

References:

·        DC 43:7e  and the earth shall pass away so as by fire;

 

·       3 Nephi 6:31 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Term: Lay of Fruit for the season

Definition: Preserve the righteous Grant Salvation

References:

·        1 Nephi 2:51 Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.

 

·        1 Nephi 4 :61 Wherefore, the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken;  (62) Wherefore, the wicked are rejected from the righteous and also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits: (63) Yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

 

·        Alma 16:171 And because of your diligence, and your faith, and your patience with the word, in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by, ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white; yea, and pure above all that is pure;

 

·       DC 6:5e  If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.

The Prophecy of Zenos, as found in Jacob 3:26-153

26 And now I, Jacob, am led on by the Spirit unto prophesying: for I perceive by the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that by the stumbling of the Jews, they will reject the stone upon which they might build, and have safe foundation.

27 But behold, according to the scriptures, this stone shall become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation, upon which the Jews can build.

28 And now, my beloved, how is it possible that these, after having rejected the sure foundation, can ever build upon it, that it may become the head of their corner?

·        This verse summarizes the ultimate purpose of the prophecy.  The question is asked, paraphrasing, "How can the Jews come back to Christ after having already rejected him?"  The rest of the prophecy is an allegory (type, similitude, analogy, pattern, etc.) revealing in story form how the Jews will be restored to a knowledge of Christ.  The points of the story--the trees, the servants, the grafting, the pruning, etc.,--all have their perfect spiritual parallels in the history of time, and in the history of the church.

·        Matthew 21:44-55  Jesus said unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner; this is the Lord's doings, and it is marvelous in our eyes.  Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.  For whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.  And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.  And they said among themselves, Shall this man think that he alone can spoil this great kingdom? And they were angry with him, but when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they learned that the multitude took him for a prophet.  And now his disciples came to him, and Jesus said unto them, Marvel ye at the words of the parable which I spake unto them?  Verily, I say unto you, I am the stone, and those wicked ones reject me.  I am the head of the corner. These Jews shall fall upon me, and shall be broken.  And the kingdom of God shall be taken from them, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof; (meaning the Gentiles.)  Wherefore, on whomsoever this stone shall fall, it shall grind him to powder. And when the Lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, he will destroy those miserable, wicked men, and will let again his vineyard unto other husbandmen, even in the last days, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

·        Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.

·        Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders refused has become the headstone of the corner.

29 Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you.

30 Behold, my brethren, do ye not remember to have read the words of the prophet Zenos, which spake unto the house of Israel, saying: Hearken, O ye house of Israel, and hear the words of me, a prophet of the Lord:

·        Zenos was apparently a prophet known in Jerusalem prior to Lehi's departure to America.  His writings were had among the plates of brass, brought to America.  While the bible does not mention 'Zenos' by name, the apostle Paul also referred to his writings in Romans 11, referring to the House of Israel as the 'Tame Olive tree' and the gentiles as the 'wild' tree.

·        Perhaps this writing will one day be discover in dead sea scrolls, or otherwise, will reveal this ancient revelation in Israel.  External proof of the Book of  Mormon.

·        Also note, this message was written to the House of Israel, (the descendants of Jacobs 12 sons), therefore, the allegory has to start with their history, not people like the Brother of Jared, etc.  The study of the story of Joseph is also a type and shadow of the restoration of the House of Israel by the remnant of the descendants who preserved the Book of Mormon.

31 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.

·        1 Nephi 3:16 Yea, even my father spake much concerning the Gentiles, and also concerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared like unto an olive tree, whose branches should be broken off, and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.

·        2 Nephi 8:77 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: