“Pruning, digging, getting out the decay then grafting in the new is future focussed. It is creation focussed. It is restoration focussed. It acknowledges that creation and restoring is an ongoing process. There is no point of arrival. It is progressive.” Meagan Skidmore BTSOD ep122.
Go to liftandlove.org/gather for more information about Gather Conference and GATHERings.
To join my virtual DFW metroplex GATHERing GO HERE (https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/78054). Anyone is welcome regardless of where you live!
Allegory of the olive tree Jacob chapter 5
House of Israel
pruning definition
apostate definitions
heretic definition
grafting definition and here
wound from grafting
research from OK state
___________________________________The Beyond the Shadow of Doubt™ podcast is a proud member of the Dialogue Podcast Network found at DialogueJournal.com/podcasts. Part of the Dialogue Journal, the Dialogue Podcast Network was founded by Eugene England, a Mormon writer, teacher and scholar. “My faith encourages my curiosity and awe,” Gene wrote in the very first issue of the journal. “It thrusts me out into relationship with all creation” and “encourages me to enter into dialogue.” My hope is that this podcast is an extension of his vision.
Come join me for “First Fridays Free Coaching.” Click here to register for free: https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages/71129
Schedule a complimentary chat with me here: https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages?provider_id=17026. Connect with me at meaganskidmorecoaching.com; click “Work with Me” to subscribe to get my free Pronouns 101 guide.
Hopeful Spaces is a Dallas Hope Charities component of Hopeful Discussions, which is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA. Hopeful Spaces is a monthly parent support group facilitated by Meagan Skidmore Coaching. To join Hopeful Spaces send an email to chc@dallashopecharities.org.
Please help the podcast grow by following, leaving a 5 star review on Spotify or Apple podcasts and sharing with friends.
The inspiration for today’s episode comes from a lesson I recently taught for a monthly gathering. If you’re not familiar with Gatherings, you can learn more at liftandlove.org/gather.
The Gatherings stem from the GATHER Conference, which took place for the first time in September 2023. You can join a group in your area—or even create your own if none exist nearby. At their heart, Gatherings are an inclusive Sunday school curriculum created by queer folks, based on the Come Follow Me program.
I host one virtually for folks in the DFW metroplex. Earlier this month, we discussed the allegory of the olive tree, found in Jacob 5. As I was preparing for and teaching this lesson, there were several concepts that stuck out to me that I wanted to share with you today.
According to BYU Studies, the longest allegory in scripture is Zenos’s allegory of the olive tree. In Jacob 5:3, Zenos explains that the tame olive tree represents the house of Israel (BYU Studies source).
The chapter heading notes that the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees is a likeness of Israel and the Gentiles.
In Mormonism, “House of Israel” refers to God’s covenant people, but it also includes everyone who embraces the gospel and is adopted into that house (gospelstudy.us source).
Decay
Pruning/Digging
Grafting
Focus on the Fruit
Pruning is the selective removal of certain parts of a plant—branches, buds, or roots. It has intention and purpose. Contrast that with shearing, which is indiscriminate cutting (source).
In faith terms, pruning makes me wonder:
What if beliefs or traditions in our faith have decayed and are in need of pruning, digging, or nourishing, so that new growth can emerge?
Jacob 5 describes this hope: “that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches and perish not.”
Traditionally, “apostasy” is defined as the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief (from the Latin apostasia meaning “defection”). But I propose this term is outdated and inaccurate for today’s faith journeys.
Faith is ongoing, evolving, and deeply personal. Why use terminology that pits one against another? Isn’t there another way?
I think about how some church teachings produced “bad fruit”—for example, the exclusion of Black members from the priesthood prior to 1978. Those who expressed contrary beliefs leading up to the 1978 revelation—were they apostates? Heretics? Progressives? Or simply people recognizing fruit that had gone bad?
Why must we label, divide, and shun people? That doesn’t feel Christlike.
In Jacob 5:6–7, even after pruning and nourishing, the top of the tree was still perishing. The master of the vineyard then instructed the servant to graft in branches from the wild olive tree.
Grafting is when tissues of two plants are joined so they continue to grow together (Wikipedia; The Spruce). The wild branch (the scion) is joined into the tame tree’s rootstock, creating something entirely new.
What’s fascinating is that grafting creates DNA that has never existed before. It’s a unique creation—something new, something restorative, something progressive.
Jacob 5:8 emphasizes that the master of the vineyard is focused not on the root, but on the fruit. The newness created through grafting allows for new fruit—fruit that hasn’t been seen, tasted, or experienced before.
This shows us that pruning, digging, and grafting are all future-focused, creation-focused, and restoration-focused. They acknowledge that growth and restoration are ongoing. There is no final point of arrival.
I’ll leave you with this to ponder:
What ideas, individuals, groups of people, or concepts could be like the wild olive branches—grafted into the tame tree—to bring new life and create fruit that has never existed before?
It’s an exciting thought.
As always, thanks for joining me. Until next time.