15 And it came to pass that a long time passed away, and the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor in the vineyard.(Jacob 5:15)There are a number of leadership lessons in Zenos's allegory of the olive trees. One of those lessons... Continue Reading →
Priests and Teachers – Jacob 1:18-19
18 For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi.19 And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of... Continue Reading →
With Thankful Hearts – Jacob 4:3
3 Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethren and our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorrow, neither with contempt, concerning their first parents.(Jacob 4:3)As I... Continue Reading →
“He Was Learned” – Jacob 7:4-5
4 And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil.5 And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I... Continue Reading →
He Was Learned – Jacob 7:4-5
4 And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil.5 And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I... Continue Reading →
O Be Wise – Jacob 6:12
12 O be wise; what can I say more?(Jacob 6:12)It is striking to me that Jacob gives us this three-word sermon at the end of 5 chapters of his preaching, including calling his people to repent of specific sins. In saying these words--"O be wise, what can I say more?"-- he clearly didn't mean to... Continue Reading →
Leadership Principles from Jacob 5
We can learn at least four leadership principles from the Allegory of the Olive Tree:Principle #1: Be patient. Make a plan, communicate it clearly, and then give it some time before evaluating whether it is working or not. Don't micromanage, and don't constantly check to see if the plan is working, or worse, constantly revise... Continue Reading →
The Allegory of the Olive Tree – Jacob 5
Jacob chapter 5 is known as the Allegory of the Olive Tree. Here's a summary of the allegory: Characters The Lord of the vineyard, who represents Jesus Christ A servant A tame olive tree, representing Israel Three other olive trees in distant parts of the vineyard: Tree 1 is in a "poor spot of ground." Tree... Continue Reading →
He Pruned It, and Digged About It, and Nourished It – Jacob 5:4-5
4 And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard went forth, and he saw that his olive tree began to decay; and he said: I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches, and it perish not.5 And it came... Continue Reading →
Because of My Over Anxiety for You – Jacob 4:18
18 Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you.(Jacob 4:18)In the prior chapter, Jacob taught us the importance of "firmness of mind." In this chapter, he gives several... Continue Reading →