The whole of Jacob 5 comprises his quotation from the prophet Zenos, a Hebrew prophet mentioned several times in the Book of Mormon, of the allegory of the olive tree.
An allegory is an extended analogy or literary comparison. In this instance the allegory teaches God's dealings with His covenant people, Israel. Depicted in it are the scattering and, in these latter days, the subsequent gathering of the House of Israel. The gathering is depicted in verses 61-77, wherein servants are called to preserve the good branches in the olive vineyard and graft them into the original tree.
In his book, The Articles of Faith, Elder James E. Talmage, taught of the commencement of the gathering through keys restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith:
"It is evident that the plan of gathering comprises:
"1. Assembling in the land of Zion of the people of Israel from the nations of the earth.
"2. Return of the Jews to Jerusalem.
"3. Restoration of the Lost Tribes.
"The sequence of these events as here presented is that of convenience and has no significance as to the order in which the several gatherings are to be accomplished. The division first named constitutes an important part of the current work of the Church, though the labor of assisting in the restoration of the Lost Tribes is included. We are informed by revelation, given in the Kirtland Temple, that the appointment to and authority for the work were solemnly committed to the Church. And through none could such authority be more fittingly conferred than through him who had received it by divine commission in a former dispensation of united Israel. Moses, who was the representative of Israel's God when the Lord set His hand the first time to lead His people to the land of their appointed inheritance, has come in person and has committed to the latter-day Church the authority to minister in the work now that the Lord has 'set his hand a second time' to recover His people.
"Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, each of whom had been duly ordained to the apostleship, testify of the manifestations made to them, in these words: 'The heavens were again opened to us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed to us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the Ten Tribes from the land of the north.' (Doctrine and Covenants 110:11.) The importance of the work thus required of the Church was emphasized by a later revelation, in which the Lord gave this command: 'Send forth the elders of my church unto the nations which are afar off; unto the islands of the sea; send forth unto foreign lands; call upon all nations, first upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews. And behold, and lo, this shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people: Go ye forth unto the land of Zion. . . . Let them, therefore, who are among the Gentiles flee unto Zion. And let them who be of Judah flee unto Jerusalem, unto the mountain of the Lord's house. Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon.' (Doctrine and Covenants 133:8, 9, 12-14.)"
