Nephi explains his father’s reference to the allegory of the olive tree. (See 1 Ne. 10:12–14 and accompanying commentary.) Interestingly, Nephi’s (correct) explanation of the olive branch was not part of his vision. How did he so rapidly translate his prophetic vision into the allegory? There are two explanations, either of which may be correct. First, and most logically, although Laman and Lemuel had probably heard their father read the allegory from the brass plates (see commentary accompanying 1 Nephi 10:12), Nephi either paid greater attention or read it himself. Therefore he would understand that his vision and the allegory treated the same subject. Second, given his understanding of the future, the symbol simply took its place in the history that would unfold.
Variant/Translation: The 1981 edition for verse 13 reads: “after the Messiah shall be manifested in body.” However, the original manuscript, the printer’s manuscript, and the 1830 edition read: “after the Messiah hath manifested himself in body.” Skousen notes that this change is more stylistic than grammatical.