Jacob 5:72 …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.
I absolutely love this allegory of the olive tree vineyard, and the love, patience, and effort that the Lord puts into each and everyone of us—over and over again. As I read it, I can feel the emotions of Christ, as he labors constantly in the vineyard. “I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it.” (Jacob 5:4) It’s a beautiful cycle of tough love, tender mercies, and spiritual food, in hopes that we will accept the loving mercy and allow His wisdom to strengthen our roots, that our hearts and minds will be pure, and our actions diligent in gathering those around us. “Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor in the vineyard.” (Jacob 5:15) “The servant of the Lord of the vineyard did according to the word of the Lord of the vineyard.” (Jacob 5:10) “The Lord of the vineyard and the servant of the Lord of the vineyard did nourish ALL the fruit of the vineyard.” (Jacob 5:28)
Jacob 5:58-59 And we will nourish again the trees of the vineyard, and we will trim up the branches thereof; and we will pluck from the trees those branches which are ripened, that must perish, and cast them into the fire. 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.
The most beautiful part is that the Lord NEVER gives up, even though he is devastated that his efforts have been in vain. “They beheld that the fruit of the natural branches had become corrupt also; yea, the first and the second and also the last; and they had all become corrupt.” Jacob 5:39) “It grieveth me that I should lose this tree.” (Jacob 5:7) “The Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my vineyard?” (Jacob 5:41) “I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. And it grieveth me that I should hew down all the trees of my vineyard.” (Jacob 5:47)
Jacob 6:5 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts.
He has made a perfect plan, so that even with mistakes, and troubles that come our way, we can still make it safely home to our Heavenly parents. “Be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son.” (Jacob 4:11) “These things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls.” (Jacob 4:13) The Lord goes before us in all situations that we allow him to lead our lives and prepares the way for us, especially during the most trying and difficult times. “Prepare the way for them, that they may grow.” (Jacob 5:64) “I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you.” (1 Nephi 17:13) “O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life.” (Jacob 6:11)
The Lord has invited each and every one of us to work side by side him in the vineyard (aka Youth/Adult Battalion) “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.” (Jacob 5:61) In Jacob 5, He gives us instructions of how to bring others to Christ, whether it’s family member we love so much, or a neighbor we want to share the light with, or a stranger we feel prompted to reach. We must be patient and meet others where they are, “As they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.” “that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire.” (Jacob 5:65-66) We will find that the impossible is possible through our diligent—exact obedience to what the Lord asks us to do. “The servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him.” (Jacob 5:70) “And 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.” (Jacob 5:72) “And thus they labored, with all diligence.” (Jacob 5:74)
Jacob 5:75 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.
What a beautiful opportunity we have to be a part of the gathering of Israel, the most important event in history. It has been prophesied of from all prophets—old and new. The Lord himself is begging us to help Him save His children. WE are those extended arms—and through the Holy Ghost we can be directed what to do. It won’t be easy, it will take diligence, and though few will join the Lord, he will make them mighty in their efforts and success. There are hearts and souls that are ready for The Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness, we just need to follow the Lord with exactness as we do this we will find a oneness with Christ, and he promises to labor beside us. Is there any greater call? Than to labor side by side the Savior? …and then he says we shall have JOY with Him. This is our way to let Christ know how much we appreciate his sacrifice and constant efforts to comfort us through our lives. We bring Him joy when we serve His children, especially the difficult ones. Let’s commit to LABOR SIDE BY SIDE THE SAVIOR!
-Sherri Jorgensen
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