“Stumbling Blocks”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet
The stumbling blocks spoken of by the angel appeared to be of two types: (1) the ignorance and uncertainty which came as a result of the loss of the plain and precious truths from the Bible; and (2) the Book of Mormon and the message of the Restoration themselves which would serve as stumbling blocks to the impenitent and hard-hearted of the latter days. In the meridian of time Paul wrote: “We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23).

“Taking Away of Their Stumbling Blocks”

Nephi described the latter days as a critical time of decision for the Gentiles, a time wherein they may be blessed or cursed, depending upon their disposition to receive the Lord and his anointed. In that day when the Deliverer would take away the “stumbling blocks” of ignorance and superstition caused by the removal of the plain and precious parts of scripture, the Gentiles would witness a “marvelous work,” the restoration of the everlasting gospel.

This everlasting gospel is that system of salvation which has sealing power-power to seal the obedient unto eternal life and to seal the disobedient and rebellious “unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure” (D&C 1:8-9), the dreadful day of the second coming of the Son of Man.

Those who receive the new covenant will become people of the covenant and come to know their true identity as members of the royal lineage. On the other hand, those who turn a deaf ear to the words of life will polarize themselves against the faith of their fathers and align themselves with the father of lies; they become a part of that “church of the devil,” an element of “Babylon the great, which shall fall” (D&C 1:16).

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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