a connector for joining a soil - reinforcement grid extending through a slot in a block stacked with other blocks to define a mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall , the connector comprising matingly engaged first member having pins that are slidingly received in aligned openings defined in a second member while sandwiching a portion of soil - reinforcement grid therebetween , the grid having apertures through which the pins extend . the soil - reinforcing grid is loaded by being covered with backfill materials . the connector mechanically engages bearing surfaces within a channel in the block such that the tensile loading of backfill covering the soil - reinforcement grid lateral of the wall is distributed by the connector across the block . a method of constructing a mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall is disclosed as well as a connector and blocks useful with such methods and walls .