In a previous article I summarized the allegory of the Olive Tree, which the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob retold. It was first told by a prophet named Zenos, whose writings we no longer have. In another article, I explained the meaning of the tree. Today, I’d like to help you understand who the Lord and Servant are in the story.
There are two possible interpretations for this. One is that the Lord of the Vineyard is the Savior, and the servant is his prophets. The other, less commonly offered, is that the Lord of the Vineyard is God, and the servant is Jesus Christ, due to the Savior’s role as the Intercessory. The servant, you may recall, was always the one pleading for just a little more time. This role could suit either interpretation.
However, you view it, the Lord of the Vineyard is a member of the Godhead (the Godhead consists of God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost) and the story is one of love. We see, as we study the story carefully, how very much the Lord loves his vineyard, and particularly the tree at the center of the story. He has enjoyed it for many years, loving it and caring for it. When He sees He is about to lose His tree, He devotes great time and effort to save it.
If we view the servant as the prophets, we can look back through the history of the world, whenever prophets were on the earth, and see how they often pleaded for their people and labored, under God’s guidance, to save the people. They struggled to humble their people so the top wouldn’t steal strength from the roots. If we view him as Jesus, we see Him working, also under God’s direction, to build the kingdom.
When the master transplants branches of the parent tree in far-flung corners of the vineyard, which represents the world, he doesn’t simply forget them. He gives them the same attention and love the parent tree receives. He sends his servant to nurture those young branches. In this same vein, God has not forgotten the scattered tribes of Israel. The world declares some are lost, but God always knows where they are, and we know He has had communication with at least some of them in times since their scattering. God doesn’t misplace the children He loves.
Just as the Lord of the Vineyard gathered the far-flung branches he had transplanted and made a final, mighty effort to save the vineyard, God will bring about a restoration of Israel with the help of His prophets. Yes, It will take the work of all those who are dedicated enough to participate however difficult it will be—and that includes all of us, who are invited to hear the words of the prophet and to assist God in His glorious work at closing down our time on earth.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
