1 Ne 10:14 Who are the branches of the olive-tree, or the remnants of the
house of Israel?
¡°A detailed discussion of
the destiny of the house of Israel (as depicted through the allegory of the
olive-tree) will be undertaken in Jacob 5-6.
For the moment let us make some simple observations. The Lord chose an olive tree to dramatize the
destiny of his chosen people. An olive
tree almost never dies. It may be pruned
and worked with over numerous generations before the fruit is such as to
satisfy the owner of the vineyard; this is often after many and varied cuttings
and trimmings and replantings. So it is
with the house of Israel. That house is
stubborn and often requires constant and enduring care. It frequently requires
chastening and pruning, actions painful at the time but ultimately accepted as
a blessing and perhaps the only means of preservation. As it is with the dedicated gardener, so it
is with the Lord-his mercies and tender regard will simply not allow him to let
his chosen people go: he pleads with his people Israel to cleave unto him as he
cleaves unto them. (Jacob 6:5.)
¡°Whose branches should be
broken off? The Lord chooses periodically to ¡®break off¡¯ or separate certain
branches or groups of the house of Israel from the main body; through this
means-that of scattering-the blood and influence of' the chosen people may be
spread throughout the earth. The Nephite
and Mulekite branches are illustrative of this principle.¡± (McConkie, Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon,
vol. 1, p.69)