Zenos' Olive Tree Allegory

Why was Israel scattered?
To preserve Israel. The House of Israel had become corrupt and apostasy had begun; therefore, the Lord, in order to preserve the family of Israel with His teachings and covenants, had  to scattered or separate them.


The Vineyard

The world



Master of the vineyard:

Jesus Christ, the Master Gardner


The Servant(s)

Prophets and others called to serve


Tame olive tree

House of Israel, the Jews, the Lord's covenant people, active church members



Wild olive tree

Gentiles, Non-Israel (later in the parable wild branches are apostate Israel). Disobedient members.


Branches

Groups of people (Lehites, Mulekites, 10 lost tribes, others)


Roots of the tame olive tree

(A) Gospel covenants and promises made by God that give life and sustenance to the tree
(B) Blood of Israel and its influence



Fruit of the tree

The lives or works of people


Digging, pruning, fertilizing, nourishing

The Lord's work with His children, which seeks to persuade them to be obedient and produce good fruit.

John 15:1-8

 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Transplanting the branches

Scattering of groups throughout the world, or restoring them to their original position. Full-time missionaries. Member families moving to new locations. Church being established throughout the world.


Grafting

Process of spiritual rebirth wherein one is joined to the covenant. Investigating the church, studying, praying, attending church, having the missionary lessons, having faith in Christ, repenting, being baptized and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost.


Decaying branches

Wickedness and apostasy. Going less active in the church. Turning away from the gospel and church.


Casting the branches into the fire

The judgment of God leading to punishment and destruction.  (Assyria, 721 BC, Babylon, 587 BC)


Trees

People


Mother tree

House of Israel of the Old World (Old Testament world). The homeland of Israel. Jacob and his original family.


Natural branches

Israelites by birth who were loyal and faithful.
Being bloodline descendants of Israel: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (see 1 Nephi 15:16)

Young and tender branches

Those who responded to the pruning and fertilizing. New converts.


Natural fruit

Personal righteousness. Good fruit, the best fruit, the most precious above all other fruit


Cumber

Burden


Nethermost

Lowest parts. Four quarters of the earth


Lay up unto myself, preserve unto myself

"Bring souls to me," Exaltation, eternal life, millennium



All trees become corrupt

Great Apostasy. Joseph Smith was told to join "none of the churches, for they were all corrupt."


Pluck

To move people to other places "for their own good".

Symbolism	Meaning
vineyard	this world
tame olive tree	the house of Israel
wild olive tree	non-Israel
branches	different parts / groups of the house of Israel: Lehites, 10 Lost tribes, Mulekites,
grafting	being joined to the house of Israel, repenting, being baptized, process of spiritual rebirth where people gain a testimony and join the church,
pruning, digging, and dunging	nurturing the house of Israel: teaching, ministering to, missionary work, home teaching, serving in the church,
fruit	works, lives of the people
the main top of the tree	leaders of the house of Israel
decay	apostasy, wickedness,
roots	the good word of God, teachings and covenants, scriptures and doctrine that give life and sustenance to the tree.
the servant	the Savior (some think it is prophets)
lord of the vineyard	God the Father (others think it is Christ)
casting branches into the fire	Judgment of God: Assyria in 721 BC, Jews taken captive into Babylon 587 BC,
trees	people
mother tree	House of Israel of the Old World (Old Testament)
natural branches	Israelites by birth who were loyal and faithful. Being bloodline descendants of Israel: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
young and tender branches	Those who responded to the pruning and fertilizing
cumber	burden
natural fruit	good fruit (good works, righteous living, the best fruit, the most precious above all other fruit
nethermost	lowest parts: 4 quarters of the earch
lay up unto myself, preserve unto myself	bring souls to Christ, exaltation, eternal life, millennium
all trees (people) became corrupt	apostasy. Joseph Smith was told to join "none of the churches for they were all corrupt."