What Can We Learn from Jacob 5?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Jacob 5-7 in a lesson titled “The Lord Labors with Us.” The lesson was introduced with the following information. 

There are many, many people who haven’t yet heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you ever feel overwhelmed by the immensity of the task of gathering them into the Lord’s Church, what Jacob said about olive trees in Jacob 5 has a reassuring reminder: the vineyard belongs to the Lord. He has given each of us a small area to assist in His work – our family, our circle of friends, our sphere of influence. And sometimes the first person we help gather is ourselves. But we are never alone in this work, for the Lord of the vineyard labors alongside His servants (see Jacob 5:72). God knows and loves His children, and He will prepare a way for each of them to hear His gospel, even those who have rejected Him in the past (see Jacob 4:15-18). And then, when the work is done, all those who have been “diligent in laboring with [Him] … shall have joy with [Him] because of the fruit of [His] vineyard” (Jacob 5:75).

The principle I have chosen to discuss tonight is “Jesus Christ is the Lord of the vineyard” (Jacob 5). This chapter is a story with symbolic meaning. It describes trees, fruit, and laborers. However, it is actually teaching about how God interacts with His people throughout history. Some of the symbols in the story are as follow: Lord of the vineyard (Jesus Christ), vineyard (the world), the time olive tree (Israel or those who have made covenants with God; see Jacob 5:3). There are other symbols. As you read Jacob 5, look for what the wild olive trees, good and bad fruit, and other symbols represent. It may be helpful to understand that Jacob 5 is all about gathering the children of Israel.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints produced a short video titled “Jacob Teaches the Allegory of the Olive Trees” (Gospel Library). It is about six minutes long and teaches how to care for olive trees. 

President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Anytime you do anything that helps anyone – on either side of the veil – take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is a s simple as that” (“Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, Juen 3, 2018], ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

What can you do to help gather Israel? What do you feel the Lord would have you do today in His vineyard? There is work enough for all of us. The Lord will reward us for service in His vineyard (Jacob 5:75). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught that the Lord loves effort. We will be blessed for our efforts no matter whether we succeed in our efforts or not. The first person that we should gather to Jesus Christ is ourselves. Once we become valiant workers in His vineyard, we will be helping to gather His children.