Jacob 5:74-75

Brant Gardner

Perhaps the most important part of the allegory is the comment about the fruit that was the result of all of the various branches that were split off and returned. They included both those who were naturally of the house of Israel, and gentiles who were adopted in. In verse 74, the Lord of the vineyard says of the fruit of this entire process: “the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit; and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal.” It did not matter how one came to the covenant. The fruit is equal. Paul would later teach this very principle: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Verse 75 turns to the many servants and the Lord of the vineyard blesses them for their service. The result is “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. That sentiment is echoed in Doctrine and Covenants 18:16: “And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!”

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