The first eight verses (30–37) of this period of the allegory describe the visit of the Lord of the vineyard and his servant to the Gentiles who had been grafted into the house of Israel. This is easily interpreted by comparing it to Joseph Smith’s history as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price. “All sorts of fruit which did cumber the tree” (v. 30) fits the description Joseph Smith gave of the religious revivals that were prevalent in his youth:
5 Some time in the second year after our removal to Manchester, there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, “Lo, here!” and others, “Lo, there!” Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist.
6 For, not withstanding the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion, and the great zeal manifested by the respective clergy, who were active in getting up and promoting this extraordinary scene of religious feeling, in order to have everybody converted, as they were pleased to call it, let them join what sect they pleased; yet when the converts began to file off, some to one party and some to another, it was seen that the seemingly good feelings of both the priests and the converts were more pretended than real; for a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued—priest contending against priest, and convert against convert; so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions. [Joseph Smith— History 1:5–6]
The Lord’s tasting of all the fruit with the declaration that none of it was good (Jacob 5:32) corresponds with what we call the First Vision. In response to Joseph’s question about “which of all the sects was right,” the Savior told him to “join none of them, for they were all wrong” (JS—H 1:18–19). The servant’s observation that the wild branches had “nourished the roots, that they are alive” can be understood by referring to the Doctrine and Covenants explanation of the servant of the Lord referred to in Isaiah 11. The servant ( Joseph Smith) is identified as “a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph” (D&C 113:3–6). Thus Joseph Smith had the literal blood of Israel in his veins although he was living among the Gentiles and was by culture a Gentile. The blood of Israel had been scattered among the Gentiles and by some genetic process had been preserved. Abraham was promised that the priesthood “shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body)” (Abraham 2:11). Although this may not be proven scientifically, it is a truth fully supported by the Old Testament prophets (see Isaiah 11:11; Amos 9:8–9). This is further verified in the Doctrine and Covenants.
30 Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loins—from whose loins ye are, namely, my servant Joseph— which were to continue so long as they were in the world; and as touching Abraham and his seed, out of the world they should continue; both in the world and out of the world should they continue as innumerable as the stars; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the seashore ye could not number them.
31 This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law is the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth himself.
32 Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham; enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved. [D&C 132:30–32]