"We know all things testify of the Savior. But this is nowhere better demonstrated than with olives and the process of olive oil production. The olive tree and its products, especially olive oil, are the great symbols of Jesus Christ and His atonement." 
This is the millstone which is used to crush the olives. In ancient days it was either pulled by beast or pushed by man. We all had a turn pushing. Notice the size of the millstone...this gives a new perspective to the scripture in Matt 18:6..."But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
Harvested olives. "Just as olives are one of the seven common native fruits indigenous to this Holy Land (Dt. 8:8), so too Jesus as a native of this land, thought to be a commoner, but the Special One who worked out the infinite atonement amidst other common folks of this land. As Isaiah said of the people's attitude toward the Savior, "We esteemed him not" (Is. 53:3).
"Just as olives should be picked individually so as not to damage the tree, so too Christ' love is individual. (If you"strip" the branches, or beat the tree to harvest the fruit faster you damage the tree.)
This is the crushing part of the step. We took turns turning the mill-stone.
It becomes a mush which is then put into woven baskets which are stacked into position under one of two additional types of presses.
Allen's team pushing the heavy log around that helps crush the olives.....
We have gathered the mash and put it into this woven basket. It's ready for the press. This darling student is Heidi Hatch. We call her our "cousin". Her family is from Northern Az.
In order to extract even more oil from the mash, the filled baskets are stacked into position under one of two additional types of presses. This type of press is known as the "screw press" and was used in the late Hellenistic Period (1st century B.C.) Grandpa is using his strength to press out the oil from the stacked woven baskets.
"Just as olives were harvested, broken and crushed, and the oil of the olives was pressed out under intense pressures in the place called "the oil press," so too the goodness and perfection of Jesus' life was "harvested" in Gethsemane, where he was crushed and His life-blood was pressed out by extreme pressure in the garden of the "oil press". Just as the pressure on the olives under the press becomes more intense with each passing second, and thus the olives exude more of their oils as more pressure is applied, so too the pressure on the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane became more intense over time and put him under greater and greater strain (Lu. 22:39-44)."
This is the millstone which is used to crush the olives. In ancient days it was either pulled by beast or pushed by man. We all had a turn pushing. Notice the size of the millstone...this gives a new perspective to the scripture in Matt 18:6..."But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
Harvested olives. "Just as olives are one of the seven common native fruits indigenous to this Holy Land (Dt. 8:8), so too Jesus as a native of this land, thought to be a commoner, but the Special One who worked out the infinite atonement amidst other common folks of this land. As Isaiah said of the people's attitude toward the Savior, "We esteemed him not" (Is. 53:3).
"Just as olives should be picked individually so as not to damage the tree, so too Christ' love is individual. (If you"strip" the branches, or beat the tree to harvest the fruit faster you damage the tree.)
This is the crushing part of the step. We took turns turning the mill-stone. 
It becomes a mush which is then put into woven baskets which are stacked into position under one of two additional types of presses.
Allen's team pushing the heavy log around that helps crush the olives.....
We have gathered the mash and put it into this woven basket. It's ready for the press. This darling student is Heidi Hatch. We call her our "cousin". Her family is from Northern Az. 
In order to extract even more oil from the mash, the filled baskets are stacked into position under one of two additional types of presses. This type of press is known as the "screw press" and was used in the late Hellenistic Period (1st century B.C.) Grandpa is using his strength to press out the oil from the stacked woven baskets.
"Just as olives were harvested, broken and crushed, and the oil of the olives was pressed out under intense pressures in the place called "the oil press," so too the goodness and perfection of Jesus' life was "harvested" in Gethsemane, where he was crushed and His life-blood was pressed out by extreme pressure in the garden of the "oil press". Just as the pressure on the olives under the press becomes more intense with each passing second, and thus the olives exude more of their oils as more pressure is applied, so too the pressure on the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane became more intense over time and put him under greater and greater strain (Lu. 22:39-44)." 
The oil is collected in these holding pots and allowed to sit for several days where the oil separates from the dregs and then is collected for use.
"Just as the finished product of the olive-pressing process yields the purest and brightest burning of the vegetable oils, so too the pressing process in Gethsemane involved the purest and brightest of the Father's children.
Olive oil was used in the temple in ancient times and in our Temple's today for anointing. In ancient times, Israel anointed her prophets, priests, and kings with olive oil. This was done as a type and foreshadowing of the Anointed One (Hebrew "Messiah") who was also the true Prophet, Priest, and King of all eternity.
It is not by accident that we anoint with olive oil those seeking a blessing. Olives trees are not ordinary. They are extraordinary in an extraordinary land. They and the oil derived from them are the most powerful and plentiful symbols of Jesus Christ and his atonement. He is the master healer, born into a land with abundant reminders of His divinity and His greatest power."
What more can be said. We are grateful for these opportunities that allow us to understand our Savior and Redeemer and His great atoning Sacrifice for each of us.
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