The Allegory of the Olive Tree (Jacob 5) / writings of Zenos (as cited in the Book of Mormon)

The Allegory of the Olive Tree, found in Jacob 5 of the Book of Mormon and attributed to the prophet Zenos, uses an extended agricultural metaphor to describe God’s long-suffering efforts to preserve and redeem Israel.

The allegory recounts grafting, pruning, and transplanting to illustrate scattering, gathering, patience, and sorrow at loss; it repeatedly notes that the Lord grieves over losing his tree.

Latter-day Saint speakers reference Zenos to highlight divine mercy and the emotional dimension of God’s relationship with his people, connecting this to Genesis narratives about judgment and mercy.

While not an independent printed ancient book outside the Book of Mormon, the allegory functions as a canonical scriptural text within LDS tradition and is used as interpretive key here.