Alma-2 synthesizes elements from Lehi's Vision and Zenos' Allegory

The question arose last week on a reddit thread (link here) as to whether the Small Plates of Nephi were known to later writers/prophets.  I summarized one example in this post last week.

Today I'll be discussing what I believe to be another example.

If you keep in mind the order in which the Book of Mormon was translated, the connections I'm about to share become even more impressive (Alma 32 was dictated at least one month prior to 1 Nephi 8 or Jacob 5).

In Alma 32, Alma is preaching to the destitute Zoramites who have been kicked out of their synagogue. He delivers a masterful sermon on faith.  If you don't pay close attention, you might completely miss a definite allusion to Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life in verse 42 and a probable allusion to Zenos' Allegory of the Olive Tree in Jacob 5.

Reference to Lehi's Vision

Alma leaves no doubt as to what fruit he is talking about in his sermon.  What other "sweet", "white", and "fill[ing]" fruit could he be talking about?

42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

Compare the words in bold to Lehi's description of the fruit of the Tree of Life in 1 Nephi 8:

11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. 

12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.

Couple this with the direct reference to the Tree of Life in verse 40, and you have what I consider to be very clear evidence that Alma studied the writings on the small plates. That is a pretty incredible connection, but it doesn't end there!

A Second Allusion to Zenos?

I will admit, this one is not as definite, but seems highly plausible. Beginning in verse 37, Alma teaches that we must take care of the tree that is beginning to grow to ensure it "gets root":

And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.

He then uses language found in Jacob 5, which talks at great length about preserving roots and growing up trees in order to bring forth good fruit. For example, compare Jacob 5:11-12.

11 And the Lord of the vineyard caused that it should be digged about, and pruned, and nourished, saying unto his servant: It grieveth me that I should lose this tree; wherefore, that perhaps I might preserve the roots thereof that they perish not, that I might preserve them unto myself, I have done this thing.
12 Wherefore, go thy way; watch the tree, and nourish it, according to my words.

Some form of the word "nourish" shows up 22 times in this chapter.  "Root" shows up 23 times. There are also 67 mentions of "fruit."

Furthermore, after Alma concludes his sermon, send asks the people what they think of his words. He then continues teaching them, and in verse 3 of Alma 33 (only a couple verses later) he directly mentions the prophet Zenos, albeit in a different context.

Conclusions we can draw from these findings:

1. Alma studied the words of Nephi and Jacob and knew them well enough to synthesize his own spiritual analogies.
2. The Book of Mormon contains remarkable internal consistency. Consider the task at hand for the person who produced this text.  There is no evidence that Joseph Smith used any notes as he dictated these words at a rate of about 8-10 pages per day. 
• Alma 32 was the 61st chapter in sequence of dictation. 1 Nephi 8 was the 181st, and Jacob 5 was the 233rd chapter. 
• Alma 32 references the Tree of Life and its "sweet", "white", "filling" fruit, but he won't dictate 1 Nephi 8 (Alma's source material for the analogy) 120 chapters later.  
• Alma also uses language found throughout Jacob 5 about the proper care of trees, along with a mention of the ancient Old World prophet Zenos, but he won't dictate that for another 172 chapters.  That's a lot of specific detail that he gets just right, without notes. Great memory, Joseph!