Jacob Flashcards
Why does God often use the Olive Tree as a symbol for peace?
The olive tree has been associated with peace for centuries. War and it’s effects (rape of the land, destruction, siege, and death) are hardly conductive to the cultivation of olive orchards that require many years of careful husbandry to bring unto full production.
When the dove returned to the ark, it carried an olive leaf in its beak, as though to symbolize that God was at peace with the earth once again. (Genesis 8:11). The olive branch was used in Ancient Greece and Rome to signify peace, and it is still used in that sense in the great seal of the United States where the American eagle is shown grasping an olive branch in its talons.
[Book of Mormon made easier, part # 1, p. 54]
What are some unique characteristic’s about the olive tree that give it significant symbolic significance?
If the green slip of an olive tree is merely planted and allowed to grow, it develops into the wild olive, a bush that grows without control into a tangle of limbs and branches producing only small, worthless fruit. To become the productive tame olive tree, the main tree of the wild tree must be cut back completely and a branch from a tame olive tree grafted into the stem of the wild one. With careful pruning and cultivating the tree will begin to produce its first fruits in about seven years, but it will not become fully productive for nearly fifteen years. After the olive tree becomes fully productive, it can produce fruit for centuries. As the tree finally grows old and dies, the roots send up a number of new green shoots that, if grafted and pruned, will mature into full grown olive trees. Thus, the root of the tree may go on producing fruit for millennia. It is believed that some of the ancient olive trees located in Israel today have come from trees that were ancient during Christ’s mortal ministry.
In other words, the olive tree cannot become productive by itself; it requires grafting by the husbandman (the farmer; symbolic of God) to bring into production. Throughout its history, Israel has demonstrated the remarkable aptness characterized by the symbol of the olive tree. When they gave themselves to their God for pruning and grafting the Israelites prospered and bore much fruit, but when they turned from Christ, the Master of the vineyard, and sought to become their own life and sustenance they became wild and unfruitful.
[Book of Mormon made easier, part # 1, p. 54]
Who said, “Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.”
Jacob
Jacob 3:1
Who are the three anti-Christs in the Book of Mormon?
Sherem (Jacob 7)
Nehor (Alma 1)
Korihor (Alma 30)
Describe the anti-Christ Sherem.
He is typical of many who oppose the church today. He is well educated as far as the world is concerned and full of self importance. He uses flattery to try and overthrow the doctrine of Christ. He taught that the people should keep the law of Moses and not look for the coming of Christ.
BofM made easier, part # 1, 375-376
When Sherem seeks a sign, what does Jacob do? What can we learn from this?
Rather than trying to prove the truthfulness of his testimony, Jacob left the outcome in the Lord’s hands. Sherem is smitten, confesses, then dies.
When others seek to criticize our faith, we can respond by stating simple testimony and responding in ways that invite the Spirit. Never retaliate and see opportunity in the midst of opposition.
BofM study guide, p. 97
After Nephi died, the people began to “indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices” (Jacob 1:15). Jacob called the people to repentance, warning them of what three sins?
The sin of pride
The love of riches
Sexual immorality
BofM study guide p. 87
In Jacob 2, Jacob states that the land is plentiful and that “the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly.” What does this refer to?
That God had blessed the people with riches.
BofM study guide p. 88
In Jacob 2:13, it states that God had given the people many riches. Because of these riches though, what did it cause some of the people to do?
Some of the people had obtained more abundantly than others. These people began to be lifted up in pride and “wear stiff necks and high heads.” Because of the costliness of their apparel, they began to persecute others because they supposed that they were better than them.
Jacob 2:13
If we are not careful, we can allow ourselves to be lifted up in pride after we receive the blessings we seek, like the Nephites did in Jacob 2. In Jacob 2:17-21, Jacob explains ways that we can overcome pride. What are they and how would doing these things influence how we view and treat others?
17 Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good–to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken unto you concerning pride; and those of you which have afflicted your neighbor, and persecuted him because ye were proud in your hearts, of the things which God hath given you, what say ye of it?
21 Do ye not suppose that such things are abominable unto him who created all flesh? And the one being is as precious in his sight as the other. And all flesh is of the dust; and for the selfsame end hath he created them, that they should keep his commandments and glorify him forever.
Treat other people as you would want to be treated. Give to the poor. Seek the kingdom of God first. Obtain a hope in Christ. Seek riches for the intent to do good.
Doing these things would help us think of other people before thinking of ourselves, which is how Christ would want us to treat others.
Jacob 2:17-21
Think of a modern day person or group of people who mistreat, ignore, or persecute others because they have “obtained more abundantly” than those they mistreat (Jacob 2:13). For example, because some people have more money, more friends, more athletic ability, or even a greater knowledge of the gospel than someone else, they may mistakenly think they are better than others or even persecute them. Ponder if there has ever been a time in your life when you have acted in a prideful manner.
Yes probably plenty of times :(
In Jacob 2:27, The Lord says “Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none”
In a scripture after this one, God states that the Lord’s people are authorized to practice plural marriage only when he commands it. What scripture is this? This is a very important scripture to keep in mind about polygamy!
Jacob 2:30
30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.
Here are some key features of Zenos’s allegory of the olive tree. What do they each represent?
- The vineyard
- Master of the vineyard
- The servant
- Tame olive tree
- Wild olive tree
- Branches
- The roots of the tame olive tree
- Fruit of the tree
- Digging, pruning, fertilizing
- Transplanting the various branches
- Grafting
- Decaying branches
- Casting the branches into the fire
- The vineyard-the world
- Master of the vineyard-Jesus Christ
- The servant- the Lords prophets
- Tame olive tree- the house of Israel, the Lords covenant people
- Wild olive tree- Gentiles, or non-Israel (later in the parable, wild branches are apostate Israel)
- Branches- Groups of people
- The roots of the tame olive tree-the gospel covenant and promises made by God that constantly give life and sustenance to the tree.
- Fruit of the tree-the lives or works of men.
- Digging, pruning, fertilizing- the Lords work with his children, which seeks to persuade them to be obedient and produce good fruit.
- Transplanting the various branches-the scattering of groups throughout the world, or restoring them to their original position.
- Grafting-the process of spiritual rebirth wherein one is joined to the covenant.
- Decaying branches- wickedness and apostasy.
- Casting the branches into the fire-the judgement of God.
Where is Zenos’s Allegory of the Olive Tree located? Who was Zenos?
Jacob 5 is often referred to as “The Allegory of the Olive Tree.”
BofM made easier, part #1, p. 348
Zenos was a Hebrew prophet whose writings are not found in the Bible, but are mentioned several times in the Book of Mormon.
(Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Teachers manual, lesson #13)
finish this question from the Book of Mormon: gospel doctrine teachers manual, lesson #13*
In Zenos’s allegory of the olive tree answer the following questions…
1. What the does grafting represent?
2. When was the gospel first taken to the Gentiles?
- Bringing Gentiles into the house of Israel
- Peter is commanded in a vision to take the gospel to the Gentiles[ Acts 10]. In the vision a vessel comes down full of “four footed beasts” and “creeping things” and “fowls of the air.” Peter is commanded by The Lord to kill and eat but Peter does not want to because the animals were considered common or unclean. God says “what God hath cleansed, that call not uncommon” [Acts 10: 11-16] Peter than realizes after Cornelius is sent to find him after his own vision that God had shown him not to call any man common or unclean [Acts 10: 28])
