The Allegory

Today I learned something cool and new about blackberry bushes. There are two types that I know of; one being the wild blackberries that grow in apparent abundance here in the Washington/Oregon state areas. They hold sharp and painful thorns when you go to pick the blackberries. And yet the berries tend to have a sweeter and stronger flavor than that of their counter parts. Meaning the domesticated Blackberry bush. This bush does not have thorns like it's wild and weed-like cousin... if taken care of properly. When it is cared for and well nourished by the owner the bush does not produce the painful thorns and still gives the desired berries, though maybe not as tasteful and sweet.

This reminded me of the way that is explained in the Book of Mormon on the care of the olive trees as described in the book of Jacob chapter 5. The evil branches, or thorny branches in this case, are cut off and taken away from the main body. Thus protecting the good, or not thorny branches, and keeping the fruit you want on the plant. The evil or thorny branches are then done away with and tossed away from the main body of the Blackberry bush. An interesting connection.

Thought it might make some think a little on that.