Jacob Chapter 5

Over the last few years as I have spent more time in the Book of Mormon, I have come to love Jacob chapter 5 with its Allegory of the Olive Tree. And though its main message is that of the scattering and gathering of Israel, what I have come to love most are certain phrases and words within it that teach me of God's ways and His love for His children. So here are some of those phrases and what they mean to me.

vs 5: "according to his word" - His promises are sure - we can rely on the Lord! As it says in D&C 1:38, "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth shall pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled." That which He has promised us we will receive as we remain faithful. This understanding gives such a surety of hope as we wait upon the Lord.

vs 7, 11, 13, 32, 46, 47, 51, 66: "It grieveth me that I should lose this tree" - He cares for us. He loves us. He grieves when we are lost. Also that grief is a godly attribute. There is no anger, frustration, or irritability. Not indignation or criticism, just godly sorrow and grief. No "I told you so," just a wish for the salvation of loved ones.

vs 8, 13-14, 36, 53-54, 75: "withersoever I will," "according to his will and pleasure," "for mine own purpose" - He is the Lord of the vineyard, the gardener. We must learn to trust Him and accept His will above our own. It is His choice, not ours. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

vs 3-5, 7-13, 20, 22-28, 31, 33-34, 36-37, 46-47, 52-58, 60, 62-64, 67-69, 71, 73-77: Prune, pluck, dig about, dunged, graft, nourish, preserve - These words are found more often than not throughout the chapter. I love the reminder that they are of the Lord's constant care for His people, as well as the reminder that such care is not always comfortable or pleasant. Pruning, plucking, grafting, digging and dunging about - these don't sound like particularly pleasant experiences for those on the receiving end. And yet we know that this is how the nourishing and preserving are brought about. Without the painful or at least uncomfortable efforts and experiences, the desired result could not be achieved. Elder Maxwell taught that principle beautifully over and over again, reminding us of the necessity of such opposition in our lives if we are to be made in His image. "Know though, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (D&C 122:7).

vs 8, 11, 18-20, 23, 29, 31, 33, 46, 54, 71, 74, 76: "lay up of the fruit thereof against the season, unto mine own self" - The Lord desires to bring us unto Him. We wants to make us His own, because He loves us.

vs 10: "the servant of the Lord of the vineyard did according to the word of the Lord of the vineyard" - How blessed we are to be led by a prophet of God! He speaks for and acts in behalf of the Lord in these latter-days. He leads the church "according to the will of the Lord," and so we can rely and depend on him. He is trustworthy just as the Lord is.

vs 15, 29: "a long time passed away" - Sometimes it feels as though "a long time (has) passed away" in our own lives before we receive the guidance, direction, or blessings we are seeking from the Lord. The presence of these words reminds me that it's okay. Sometimes He intends for us to wait, but our time will come, He will come.

vs 22: "I knew that it was a poor spot...wherefore...I have nourished it this long time" - It doesn't matter where we are planted, how ideal or not ideal our situation or environment is. The Lord will nourish us, and that is all we need to thrive and bring forth good fruit. The Lord will give us everything we need, even if it's not everything we want, to succeed.

vs 41, 47, 49: "What could I have done more for my vineyard?" "I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long," "I have done all" - Truly the Lord has done all. He gave His all, His life, Himself, and continues to so give, nourishing, lifting, and strengthening us, caring for us. He has and will do all He can to preserve and save us. That is the love that He has for us.

vs 48: "Who is it that has corrupted my vineyard? ...the loftiness of thy vineyard...taking strength unto themselves" - We must learn humility. Pride, trusting in the arm of the flesh, these lead to our ultimate failure. Hence the need for pruning, to cut back our "loftiness." We need to learn to be able to say, "Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down." Because surely he does so only for our own good and salvation.

vs 50-51: "spare it a little longer" - He has such patience with us! How many times have we produced corrupt fruit, but He has chosen to "spare us a little longer," working with us and enabling us to progress and improve rather than giving up on us and our imperfections? If He is so patient with us, we ought to be as well. We must learn to be patient with ourselves and with our loved ones as we continue to struggle along our journey, and choose to spare judgment "a little longer."

vs 54: "sufficiently strong" - Am I "sufficiently strong"? Am I bringing forth good fruit unto the Lord? And am I rooted firmly enough to continue doing so? If so, what am I doing right to keep myself "sufficiently strong"? If not, what am I doing that I need to stop doing, and what am I not doing that I need to start doing?

vs 59: "because of the change...the good may overcome the evil" - Sometimes a little bit of change is all we need to help us grow and push forward. Change can be hard, it can be scary, but it can also be just what we need. So if and when unexpected changes comes into your life, ask the Lord how you can grow from it rather than worrying or complaining. See what it is He wants you to learn.

vs 66: "clear away the bad according as the good shall grow" - This principle is so meaningful to me. We can't expect to change overnight. Sometimes where we are looks so far from where we want to be. But if we try to cover that distance in one, big jump, we will fail. Just as with gospel knowledge, personal growth comes line upon line, one step at a time. We have to let the good within us continue to grow before we can expect to root out the bad, the weaknesses and imperfections. And when we do it that way, those failings and faults will fall away naturally. When we try to scour them out before learning the correct patterns to replace them, we are left with a big, empty hole and no understanding of how to properly fill it. So it's okay if you're still struggling to overcome that bad habit that feels like it has been plaguing you for years. That's how it's meant to be! Growth is slow and gradual, so much so that we likely will not even recognize it in our day-to-day lives unless we regularly take the time to stop and reflect on where we have been and how far we have come.

vs 72: "the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them" - The Lord indeed does labor with us and at our sides when we are engaged in His work. What greater help and companion could we hope for than the Lord Himself?

Hear Him

How do I "Hear Him"?

I hear Him when I read from the "best books." When the words of others come from the pages and into my heart. When the author's words become His, speaking to me.

That is how I hear Him.

I hear Him in sacred music. It's beauty brings peace to my heart and I hear Him saying "Be still."

That is how I hear Him.

I hear Him when I am with family. When I am surrounded by the laughter, smiles, and companionship of loved ones. I hear Him saying that the joy of family is everything.

That is how I hear Him.

I hear Him because of what my parents have taught me. The family lessons, the individual conversations, the heartfelt prayers. I hear Him because they showed me daily how to listen.

That is why I hear Him.

I hear Him in the temple. Its peace enfolds me. He enfolds me. That sacred space reaches in and touches all of me. I hear Him saying that this is truth, and truth eternal.

That is how I hear Him.

I hear Him when I obey. For what good is the hearing if we fail to act? And as I act, He speaks again and tells me to keep going.

That is how I hear Him.

I hear Him when I am surrounded by his creations. When the din and confusion of mankind and our manufactured world take a back seat to the grandeur and beauty of His. When I step past the buildings, the cars, and the artificial lights and step into the forests, the fields, and the rolling hills. I hear Him saying, "By My hand were these made."

That is how I hear Him.

I hear Him in my anguish. When the pain is more than I can bear. When I am broken and in despair. He soothes my aching soul, binds my broken heart, calms my troubled mind. I hear him saying, "I understand."

That is how I hear Him.