“Natural Branches Had Been Broken Off”

Brant Gardner

The focus now returns to the main root/trunk of the tree. The natural branches that were “broken off” are those that have just been transplanted in the vineyard’s nethermost parts. The grafted wild branches represent the infusion of Gentiles into the covenant people. The result is “all sorts of fruit.” It is essential for the allegory’s meaning that “all sorts” means good fruit, but of differing appearances: the rise of modern Christianity in all of its diversity. Scholars have now found that this diversity extends back to Christianity’s earliest days but certainly proliferated after the Reformation.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 2

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