Lehi’s comparison of the house of Israel to an olive tree is evidence that the Prophet Zenos’ allegory of the tame and wild olive trees was originally on the plates of brass. Lehi would have had a lot of time to study the plates while his sons made their second return to Jerusalem to get the family of Ishmael (1 Nephi 7). Nephi alludes to Lehi’s coming to the knowledge he spoke of above “while dwelling in a tent in the valley of Lemuel” (v. 16). As Jacob, brother of Nephi, recorded the allegory upon the small plates of Nephi he asked: “Behold, my brethren, do ye not remember the words of the prophet Zenos, which he spake unto the house of Israel,” (Jacob 5:1). This question also verifies that the brass plates were available for them to read. However, Jacob 4 addresses “our beloved brethren and our children” as he explains the difficulty of engraving upon the plates. Apparently he was concerned, that the allegory would be among the plain and precious things lost from the record of the Jews, so he did “labor diligently to engraven” them upon the plates of Nephi for future generations (Jacob 4:1–3).
Paul also alludes to the allegory of the olive tree in his writings to the Romans (11:11–27). While some may not agree that Paul was basing his message to the Romans on the allegory, his reference to the Gentiles, the context of his message, and the conclusions he draws are the same as found in the allegory, and the same as drawn by Lehi and illustrated below.
While the Spirit may have given all three prophets the same prophecy, it is more probable that Lehi and Paul were relying on Zenos. Both Lehi and Paul help us to interpret the allegory. The branches of Israel will be scattered, they will be gathered after the Gentiles have received the fulness of the gospel (v. 14), and they will all come to the knowledge of the true Messiah.