Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Jacob 5

As the Master and His servants nourish His vineyard for the last time, He instructed -

"...let us take of the branches of these which I have planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft them into the tree from whence they came; and let us pluck from the tree those branches whose fruit is most bitter, and graft in the natural branches of the tree in the stead thereof." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:52)

And also -

"...the roots of the natural branches of the tree which I planted whithersoever I would are yet alive; wherefore, that I may preserve them also for mine own purpose, I will take of the branches of this tree, and I will graft them in unto them. Yea, I will graft in unto them the branches of their mother tree, that I may preserve the roots also unto mine own self, that when they shall be sufficiently strong perhaps they may bring forth good fruit unto me, and I may yet have glory in the fruit of my vineyard." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:54)

It appears that there is a grafting or gathering in several parts of the vineyard. But what the Lord instructs in this grafting process, in my mind, is direct instructions to His servants or saints in our day -

z'...we will nourish again the trees of the vineyard, and we will trim up the branches thereof..." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:58)

But -

"...Pluck not the wild branches from the trees, save it be those which are most bitter..." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:57)

"And this I do that, perhaps, the roots thereof may take strength because of their goodness; and because of the change of the branches, that the good may overcome the evil." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:59)

"...that, perhaps, the trees of my vineyard may bring forth again good fruit..." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:60)

And thus he tells His servants -

"...go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:61)

"Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time..." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:62)

"Wherefore, dig about them, and prune them, and dung them once more, for the last time..." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:64)

And of those servants that were faithful and willing -

"...it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.
73 And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly..." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:72 - 73)

And as a result of this great nourishing or rescue effort -

"...when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants, and said unto them: Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard." (Book of Mormon | Jacob 5:75)

This is the great work of the seed of Abraham to blessed the lives of all nations.