Jacob 5

 “The parable of Zenos, recorded by Jacob in chapter five of his book, is one of the greatest parables ever recorded. This parable in and of itself stamps the Book of Mormon with convincing truth. No mortal man, without the inspiration of the Lord, could have written such a parable. It is a pity that too many of those who read the Book of Mormon pass over and slight the truths which it conveys in relation to the history, scattering, and final gathering of Israel” - Joseph Fielding Smith

Okay, so for most of us, Jacob 5 is not fun. To be honest, I feel the same way, but I am determined to learn all I can about this chapter! It's in here for a reason, and I am going to figure out what that reason is.

So here's something cool I learned about the allegory, apparently, Jacob didn't even write it. Zenos did. Zenos was an Old Testament prophet who was alive sometime between Isaiah and Lehi. It's a shame that his writings are only found on the brass plates, and not on the Old Testament. He is just as confusing as Isaiah, and I'm sure they would be great friends.

 ‘One Jewish legend identifies the tree of life as the olive tree, and with good reason. The olive tree  is an evergreen, not a deciduous tree. Its leaves do not seasonally fade nor fall. Through scorching heat and winter cold they are continually rejuvenated. Without cultivation the olive is a wild, unruly, easily corrupted tree. Only after long, patient cultivating, usually eight to ten years, does it begin to yield fruit. Long after that, new shoots often come forth from apparently dead roots. [The appearance of gnarled trunks gives] the impression of travail—of ancient life and renewing life.’

[Truman Madsen, “The Olive Press: A Symbol of Christ,”in The Allegory of the Olive Tree, ed. Stephen D. Ricks and John W. Welch (1994), 2.]

“You have come to the earth when the foundation has been laid for this great work. The gospel has been restored for the last time. The Church has been established in almost every part of the world. The stage is set for the final dramatic scenes to be enacted. You will be the principal players. You are among the last laborers in the vineyard. This is the yoke that is set upon your necks. This is the service for which you are chosen” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1983, 47; or 

Ensign, May 1983, 33).