The angel who narrated Nephi’s vision explained that the removal of “plain and precious” truths from the scriptures would cause many people to “stumble” (1 Nephi 13:29, 34). The remedy was the arrival of another set of scriptures, the Book of Mormon, which would not only “establish the truth” of the Bible but would also “make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away” (1 Nephi 13:40). The angel indicated that this new information would “[take] away their stumbling blocks” (1 Nephi 14:1).
The Hebrew word kashal (כָּשַׁל) means to stumble, stagger, or totter. It indicates that you’ve been thrown off balance and are unable, at least temporarily, to move forward. The related word mikshol (מִכְשׁוֹל) means literally something that makes you stumble. It is usually translated in the King James Version of the Bible as “stumblingblock,” even though it technically doesn’t contain the word “block.” It refers to anything that causes you to lose your stability and therefore your momentum.
After his father’s death, Nephi pleads with God, “Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me” (2 Nephi 4:33). Stumbling blocks can be caused by the poor choices of other people, like the removal of plain and precious truths from the scriptures. They can also be caused by events which are no one’s fault, but are simply part of mortality. God can clear those stumbling blocks out of our path, and sometimes He does, but not always. Sometimes, He helps us cross them without stumbling. Sometimes, He helps us regain our balance and momentum after stumbling.
Other stumbling blocks are self-inflicted. Nephi foresaw that some people would stumble because of pride:
And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning.
2 Nephi 26:20
Ezra Taft Benson indicated that pride is a stumbling block for us as well. In fact, he called it “the great stumbling block to Zion” (“Beware of Pride,” General Conference, April 1989).
Today, I will seek God’s help in overcoming the stumbling blocks in my life. I will strive to maintain my balance and avoid stumbling, but when I do, I will seek God’s help to regain my stability, so that I can continue moving forward.
Leave a Reply