The Golden Plates #5: Premium Edition

The Golden Plates #5: Premium Edition-Nephi & Jacob’s Teachings & The Olive Tree Allegory is the fifth issue of an adaptation of the fifth best selling book of all time, The Book of Mormon, which has sold over 120 million copies. This graphic novel/comic book adaptation was first illustrated in 2005 by award winning artist Michael Allred. Issue #5 includes: 35 full color pages as well as 3 pages of commentary from Michael Allred on what inspired him to step out of his successful career in the comic book industry to create the series. His decision to leave high paying jobs for almost a year to create The Golden Plates was hailed as “the biggest announcement in Mormon comics ever.”  Allred described his work on The Golden Plates as “the most significant thing I’ll ever be a part of” and “by far my most personal work ever...this is something I simply had to do.” “Anyone interested in stories about human beings rising to their highest and most heroic potential will find that here...I’ve never been more alive with drawing anything in my life.”

The Premium Edition has replaced the full scriptural text originally included in the first edition with simplified, reworded text, making the story easier for younger readers to follow and also showcasing more of the stunning artwork.

Part 5 of a 6 issue series, Issue #5 tells of Nephi’s teachings on the need for baptism and why Christ was baptized. Nephi dies and Jacob begins keeping the records. Jacob teaches the people at the Temple and quotes the Allegory of the Olive Tree. The Lord of the Vineyard and his servant work with the Tame Olive Tree which has decayed to save it and preserve the tame/good fruit. The history of the family of Israel from 721 B.C. to the present is represented symbolically through visits and actions by the Lord of the vineyard with the Tame Olive Tree and the other trees in the vineyard (the world).