Olive Tree See also Israel; Oil A tree common to Israel and an important agricultural resource in Bible lands. It is grown for its wood, fruit, and oil. The olive tree is used most frequently in the scriptures to symbolize the house of Israel. The house of Israel is compared to an olive tree whose branches are broken and scattered, 1 Ne. 10:12 (1 Ne. 15:12). The Lord compared the house of Israel to a tame olive tree, Jacob 5–6. Joseph Smith called the revelation in section 88 the olive leaf, D&C 88 heading. A nobleman told his servants to go into his vineyard and plant twelve olive trees, D&C 101:43–62.