1 Nephi 15:12-13

Nephi now turns to explaining what the "branches of the olive tree" meant in Lehi's words to his brothers and him.

In verse 12 he says that the house of Israel was compared to an olive tree. The house of Israel is the twelve tribes if Israel or the descendants of Israel. Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh are three big ones. Judah being the Jews and Christ was one. Ephraim is the tribe that has many church members or the Gentiles referred to in the Book of Mormon. We have a responsibility to bear the priesthood, proclaim the gospel, and the raise the ensign for the gathering of Israel. Lehi was a descendant of Manasseh and so many of the native American tribes are his descendants. They are charged with assisting the tribe of Ephraim in the gathering of Israel.

This is what Nephi is saying. Aren't we a branch of the olive tree or a part of the house of Israel that is broken off because we are going to a promised land in the Americas? Then our father talked about grafting in the natural branches of the olive tree through the fullness of the Gentiles. This means that in the latter days when only the seed of the Lamanites remains and has dwindled into unbelief (many years after Christ came), shall the fullness of the gospel be taught to them. This is happening in our day. We are called to be missionaries and invite people to church. We are in charge of gathering them into the fold. We need do what we can to fulfill this scripture, and we will.