Seminary and Come, Follow Me
Jacob 5:54–77; 6:1–13: “How Blessed Are They Who Have Labored Diligently in His Vineyard”

“Jacob 5:54–77; 6:1–13: ‘How Blessed Are They Who Have Labored Diligently in His Vineyard,’” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)

“Jacob 5:54–77; 6:1–13,” Book of Mormon Student Manual

Jacob 5:54–77; 6:1–13

“How Blessed Are They Who Have Labored Diligently in His Vineyard”

people reading the Book of Mormon

How does the allegory of the olive trees recorded in Jacob 5 relate to you? The final part of this allegory symbolizes the Lord’s work in the last days, including the efforts He and His servants make to gather souls to Him for a final time. This lesson is intended to help you feel a greater desire to labor with the Lord in helping Heavenly Father’s children come unto to Him.

A great work

Imagine the following scenario:

Annika was recently asked by her bishop to prayerfully consider ways she might reach out to and help one of the young women in her ward who has not been attending church. Annika feels a little nervous and wonders, “Why is the bishop asking me to do this? He would probably be much more effective at helping her than I would.”

  • What could be some of the reasons Annika’s bishop may have invited her to reach out to the young woman instead of reaching out himself?

Today, you will study the final portion of the allegory of the olive trees recorded in Jacob 5. This portion of the allegory represents the last days. One truth we can learn from this portion of the allegory is that the Lord invites His latter-day servants to labor in His vineyard by participating in the gathering of Israel.

Before you begin studying, consider your feelings about being invited by the Lord to help gather people to Him. Have you ever wondered why He invites you to help Him in His work of saving souls? As you study, look for teachings that can help you better understand the Lord’s purposes for inviting us to participate with Him in the gathering of Israel.

The master of the vineyard invites servants to labor with him

The final part of the allegory begins with a conversation that takes place between the master of the vineyard, who represents Jesus Christ, and his servant, who represents the Lord’s prophets.

Read Jacob 5:61–62, 70, looking for what the master of the vineyard instructed his servant to do and why he asked him to do it.

  • Who in these verses could represent you and other members of the Church?

President Russell M. Nelson discussed the work the Lord and His servants perform in the last days:

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President Russell M. Nelson

The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith that now, meaning our day, is the eleventh hour and the last time that He will call laborers into His vineyard for the express purpose of gathering the elect from the four quarters of the earth [see Doctrine and Covenants 33:3, 6]. …

Would you like to help gather Israel during these precious latter days? …

… Think of it! Of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth, we are the ones who get to participate in this final, great gathering event. How exciting is that!

Our Heavenly Father has reserved many of His most noble spirits—perhaps, I might say, His finest team—for this final phase. Those noble spirits—those finest players, those heroes—are you! (Russell M. Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], supplement to the New Era and Ensign, 8, ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

  • What did President Nelson’s statement help you learn or feel about God?

  • What did it teach you about yourself and the role you are to play in the gathering of Israel?

  • What do you think are some of the reasons why the Lord invites us to help gather people to Him?

Your portion of the Lord’s vineyard

  1. Complete the following:

    In your study journal or on another piece of paper, draw a picture of a vineyard or a field that represents the Lord’s vineyard. Then draw or write a few things that represent the following:

    1. Opportunities you have to labor in the Lord’s vineyard and help gather Israel. Examples could include pictures or words that represent people you could help come closer to the Savior, actions you could take to share the gospel in person or online, or efforts to bless people on the other side of the veil through temple and family history work.

    2. Obstacles you face in your efforts to labor in the Lord’s vineyard. Examples could include pictures or words that represent obstacles such as fear, unsurety about what to do, or feeling too busy with other things.

Study the following verses, looking for teachings that could help you overcome the obstacles you identified. Consider adding pictures or words to your vineyard drawing based on what you learn.

  • What did you learn about the Lord from these verses?

  • What words or phrases from these verses could help someone who is hesitant to participate in the gathering of Israel?

  • What blessings have you seen or experienced for participating with the Lord in laboring to bring souls to Him?

Take a moment to think about your next steps for participating with the Lord in the gathering of Israel. Record a goal related to this in your study journal or build on a goal you’ve already set for yourself. You could also include words or pictures that represent your goal on your drawing of the vineyard. Consider watching “2021 Youth Theme Song: ‘A Great Work’” (4:06), which is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, as you ponder what you want your goals to be.

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