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God So Loved the World: The Final Days of the Savior's Life
There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection. Gordon B. Hinckley The period from Palm Sunday to Easter morning presents a wonderful opportunity for Latter-day Saints to reflect upon the last days of our Lord s earthly ministry. In God So Loved the World, each chapter examines the scriptural account of the Savior s last days and hours, providing historical context, cultural background, and biblical insights. The book also discusses the significance and personal application of that day s events and suggests additional readings to increase our understanding of the Atonement and draw us closer to the Savior. A way to refocus our attention from the traditional holiday celebrations and experience a more meaningful observation of Easter. Can be used as a personal or family study guide/devotional. Includes a chronology of events leading up to the Resurrection, full-color artwork, photographs of sites, maps, and sidebar articles.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published March 9, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 13, 2011
There are a myriad of books, articles and advent calendars that encourage us to make Christmas a more Christ-centered holiday. Starting even before the Thanksgiving turkey is cooked, we have our pick of various media or manipulatives to help us focus on Jesus' birth during what can be an overwhelmingly commercial time of the year. On the other hand, Easter, which commemorates the culmination of Christ's mortal life, sometimes seems to get short shrift in the LDS culture. There may be a talk or two in Sacrament Meeting and a choir number, but generally not much else. This may be partly because the date changes every year, allowing the holiday to sneak up on us unawares, but whatever the reasons, I've often been left with a nagging feeling that my personal Easter observances are lacking something that a honey-glazed ham, dozens of deviled eggs and bunnies bearing gifts can't fill. Enter Dr. Huntsman's book.
After a short introduction, “Rediscovering Easter,” Dr. Huntsman has organized his 135-page book with a chapter for each day of the Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday. Sidebars at the beginning of each chapter list the scriptural references for the events of that day, and red-bordered boxes highlight hymns and other sacred music that are especially applicable. Artwork, photographs of sacred sites in Jerusalem (complete with crowds of tourists and pilgrims), well-drawn maps, and illustrations of less familiar items (do you know what hyssop looks like?) add depth and beauty to the book.
As explained in the appendix, Dr. Huntsman approaches the occasional chronological discrepancy between the Gospels with both a scholarly and a devotional eye. Rather than harmonizing the four different accounts at all costs, he attempts to parse out the message each Gospel writer was trying to communicate to his readers. He is particularly adept at explaining symbolism and he draws connections between events that deepen the reader's understanding and appreciation for the week before the Passion and Resurrection. In blue-bordered boxes throughout the book, Dr. Huntsman shares his testimony and experiences as well, showing how a personal application of these concepts has enriched his life and his family's Easter celebrations.
Each night in December we, as a family, spend a few minutes before bedtime reading scriptural accounts of the Savior's birth, singing a Christmas carol or Primary song, and reading a Christmas story. I'm looking forward to this coming Sunday when we'll start this same process leading up to Easter with the scriptures and music mentioned by Dr. Huntsman in this beautiful book. Dr. Huntsman suggests that “to use the holiday more effectively to commemorate the sacred events that surround it, perhaps we need to choose to celebrate it, or at least prepare for it, a bit differently than we do now.” God So Loved the World provides not only the encouragement, but also many tools to put this more devotional approach to Easter in practice for families and individuals.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
After a short introduction, “Rediscovering Easter,” Dr. Huntsman has organized his 135-page book with a chapter for each day of the Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday. Sidebars at the beginning of each chapter list the scriptural references for the events of that day, and red-bordered boxes highlight hymns and other sacred music that are especially applicable. Artwork, photographs of sacred sites in Jerusalem (complete with crowds of tourists and pilgrims), well-drawn maps, and illustrations of less familiar items (do you know what hyssop looks like?) add depth and beauty to the book.
As explained in the appendix, Dr. Huntsman approaches the occasional chronological discrepancy between the Gospels with both a scholarly and a devotional eye. Rather than harmonizing the four different accounts at all costs, he attempts to parse out the message each Gospel writer was trying to communicate to his readers. He is particularly adept at explaining symbolism and he draws connections between events that deepen the reader's understanding and appreciation for the week before the Passion and Resurrection. In blue-bordered boxes throughout the book, Dr. Huntsman shares his testimony and experiences as well, showing how a personal application of these concepts has enriched his life and his family's Easter celebrations.
Each night in December we, as a family, spend a few minutes before bedtime reading scriptural accounts of the Savior's birth, singing a Christmas carol or Primary song, and reading a Christmas story. I'm looking forward to this coming Sunday when we'll start this same process leading up to Easter with the scriptures and music mentioned by Dr. Huntsman in this beautiful book. Dr. Huntsman suggests that “to use the holiday more effectively to commemorate the sacred events that surround it, perhaps we need to choose to celebrate it, or at least prepare for it, a bit differently than we do now.” God So Loved the World provides not only the encouragement, but also many tools to put this more devotional approach to Easter in practice for families and individuals.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
May 1, 2014
I am so embarrassed that this book has taken me over a year to review. I went to Israel last year and upon returning and hoping to extend my memories and thoughts for as long as possible, I picked up this wonderful book written by someone who has spent a great deal of time studying the life of Christ and has lived for an extended time in the land where he lived. What makes this belated review unfortunate is that this is an Easter book. Huntsman breaks apart Holy Week and dissects what happened and when according to the four Gospels in the Bible as well as what scholarly research supports. In addition to just facts and information, Huntsman also includes helpful ideas on how to make the sacred week truly celebratory such as beautiful music about certain days or miracles as well as scriptures and hymns to focus on and enjoy during the week. He lays out a well-defended argument that this holiday should be as celebrated and revered as Christmas and families can do a lot to make it more than day of new dresses and candy. He does share my LDS belief but I do think any believer of Christ will appreciate his research and organization in presenting the last week of Jesus Christ’s earthly life.
April 23, 2019
This was a nice book and a good book to go along with the Come, Follow Me curriculum for the Holy Week. I liked that he included music that he likes to sing or listen to during the Holy Week. And I think the idea of an Easter creche is a really interesting one. However, for me it wasn't a five star book, because it didn't really involve me emotionally. I'm not quite sure how to explain it. Some books just grab me and put me very in touch with what Jesus Christ did for all men. This one just didn't quite do that.
July 28, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book during Holy Week. I wanted to have a more meaningful Easter and this book (in addition to celebrating Passover with some friends and watching Jesus of Nazareth) made my Holy Week so much more meaningful than it has ever been. I think Holy Week/Easter may now be my favorite holiday because it is less commercialized and busy, making more time for contemplative activities like reading this book. I particularly appreciated the book's suggestions about music for the week.
March 28, 2021
One of the best books I have read/studied from to learn about Easter. This is definitely a book to read each year around Easter, or even more frequently. I read it in a week, and it was a lot to do each day. One can choose how much they want to dive into the study material. I did the book and the hymns, next time I would like to do the scriptures with it, and the musical concerts it suggests. I liked the added parts that connect hymns to each day. This has given me more understanding as I sing those particular hymns.
December 19, 2025
It took almost a year to read & study this book.
Each chapter is one day of the last week of our Savior's life. The author provides relevant scriptures at the beginning of each chapter. I'd read his thoughts, then read the scriptures, and wrote down my own thoughts & feelings.
I really loved reading the author's thoughts, insights, and emotions. I definitely learned some things I didn't know before and got to think more deeply about other aspects.
I'm kinda sad I've finished the book. I wonder if he's done a study of Christ's birth?
Each chapter is one day of the last week of our Savior's life. The author provides relevant scriptures at the beginning of each chapter. I'd read his thoughts, then read the scriptures, and wrote down my own thoughts & feelings.
I really loved reading the author's thoughts, insights, and emotions. I definitely learned some things I didn't know before and got to think more deeply about other aspects.
I'm kinda sad I've finished the book. I wonder if he's done a study of Christ's birth?
April 23, 2019
I loved this book. It's the perfect book for adults to read and study during the Holy Week for a better understanding of Christ's divinity, his final week of life, including his atonement and resurrection. It's doctrinal and is broken into chapters by days of the week, starting with Palm Sunday. This will be a yearly tradition for my personal study from here on out.
April 12, 2020
Great book! I learned more about the symbolism of Holy Week and the Four Gospels. My favorite chapters were about Thursday & Friday. There were a few things that deepened my understanding of the Atonement and I loved it. I was also inspired about how to celebrate Easter a little better this next year!
April 19, 2020
Huntsman is an exceptional Biblical scholar. This was written to be read during Holy Week with each chapter focusing on each day of Jesus' final week starting with Palm Sunday and ending with Resurrection Morning.
April 12, 2021
This book discusses the final week of the Savior's life. I wanted to read it each day of Holy week, but I got a little behind. It was very well done, with explanations of the perspective of the various Gospels and conflicting evidence regarding chronology.
April 20, 2025
A detailed look at Holy Week. There were interesting observations about the discrepancies between the gospels. For me, the book lacked the invitation for me to consider the personal impact of the final days of the Savior's life. It was almost there, but not quite.
May 7, 2025
I tried reading this for Easter and got as far as Good Friday. The pictures are lovely and the information is good. I suppose I expected a little more of a history than a discussion, so I was slightly disappointed, but I did learn some things.
October 3, 2017
Deepened my understanding and gave more meaning to my celebration of Easter. Wonderful.
April 12, 2020
Holy Week. Passion. Art. Bible. LDS interpretation.
November 4, 2023
Wonderful resource book for understanding the final days of Jesus Christ.
April 16, 2011
Growing up in a home with two different predominant Christian religions gave me some insight into Holy Week and palm Sunday, but I never fully understood the meaning of The Passion of Christ. This book brings the last week of Christ's mortal life into focus. After reading God So Loved The World, I have a deeper knowledge of the events that led up to his Crucifixion and the ressurrection. Eric Huntsman uses scriptural passage from the Synoptic Gospels, words to hymns, sidebars and text boxes to weave a full portrait of each day of the week leading up to the final events of Easter. He also adds geographical photographs of surrounding areas Bethany and Jerusalem, plus fine art depictions of mentioned scenes to appeal to the visual learner. Mr. Huntsman's rich knowledge and personal feelings of Christ's sacrifice highlight depth and meaning that goes beyond just facts.
As a society we tend to place a huge focus on Christmas and forget to prepare ourselves for the miraculous event that occurred at the garden tomb. God So Loved the World points out numerous times that "without Easter there would be no Christmas."
I will be passing this book on to my family members and applying the suggestions given for preparing for Easter beginning this Sunday. It was a timely read for me, and I have to thank Deseret Book for giving us a beautifully crafted account of Holy Week, and a wonderful tool to be used in teaching our children about Christ's life here on earth
As a society we tend to place a huge focus on Christmas and forget to prepare ourselves for the miraculous event that occurred at the garden tomb. God So Loved the World points out numerous times that "without Easter there would be no Christmas."
I will be passing this book on to my family members and applying the suggestions given for preparing for Easter beginning this Sunday. It was a timely read for me, and I have to thank Deseret Book for giving us a beautifully crafted account of Holy Week, and a wonderful tool to be used in teaching our children about Christ's life here on earth
January 1, 2016
I have used Dr. Huntsman's Easter materials for several years now and finally bought and read his book this year.
Celebrating Holy Week has been a wonderful experience for our family and I have Dr. Huntsman to thank for getting me started on it. My children are still young so we use lots of object lessons and coloring pages.
As for the book itself, it contains a basic overview of the week with some musical and worship suggestions, but I feel like his materials online are better. I was hoping for more family worship suggestions. His online materials also contain more reflections on the material.
That is not meant to say the book is not good. Overall it is very well done and worth reading, particularly if you have not yet discovered the full power if Easter and Holy Week.
Celebrating Holy Week has been a wonderful experience for our family and I have Dr. Huntsman to thank for getting me started on it. My children are still young so we use lots of object lessons and coloring pages.
As for the book itself, it contains a basic overview of the week with some musical and worship suggestions, but I feel like his materials online are better. I was hoping for more family worship suggestions. His online materials also contain more reflections on the material.
That is not meant to say the book is not good. Overall it is very well done and worth reading, particularly if you have not yet discovered the full power if Easter and Holy Week.
June 5, 2011
I'm not quite finished, but I have to say that this book is wonderful. It provides a very detailed account (along with different interpretations of events from various scholars) of the week prior to the Resurrection of Christ. There are beautiful photographs as well. I am very impressed as the author obviously wanted this book to leave a lasting impression. I will very likely read it again next year during the Easter season.
6/5/11: I just finished this book. It is a very beautiful book (both the pictues, presentation and the words written) that is also very detailed and very well-written. Amazing read to help prepare for Easter and/or to understand the final week of the Savior's life.
6/5/11: I just finished this book. It is a very beautiful book (both the pictues, presentation and the words written) that is also very detailed and very well-written. Amazing read to help prepare for Easter and/or to understand the final week of the Savior's life.
October 8, 2011
this was quite an exquisite book. It basically takes the reader along with Christ on his last week. It is beautifully presented, almost like a table book BUT you really don't just peruse it. You need to read it, a section, and then think about it. There are sidebars, colored boxes with further info that made me a little crazy....I'd be reading the text and then find myself read the box, thinking I had followed the text...but was on a side street. But after a bit, I learned to read correctly. The pictures are amazing and the thought and comparison between the event and the prophecies (perhaps) and the traditions were great to consider.
July 3, 2011
Huntsman takes his readers on a scriptural journey through the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. Each chapter dealt with a specific day of the week between Palm Sunday and Easter morning. I chose to read this book, a chapter a day, during the week before Easter. I felt that I gained increased understanding of what happened each day of that momentous week, as well as increased spirituality as I drew close to my Savior.
May 26, 2016
Huntsman breaks down the last week of Christ's life, using New Testament scriptures, pictures of the Holy Land, and even music to provide an understanding of this crucial time. Designed to invite readers to celebrate Easter, this book is perhaps not an obvious choice for other times of the year, but really, anyone, anytime, who is interested in learning more about the Savior's final days will find valuable insights here.
April 22, 2019
This is an excellent book. It focuses on each of the days of the last week of the Savior's life, providing sound Bible scholarship and inspiring spiritual insights. Reading each chapter on each day of the week leading up to Easter was a perfect way to celebrate the Holy Week. I will probably do it again next year, and I will probably also by Huntsman's other books with a similar format (he has one on Christmas and another on Jesus' miracles).
August 20, 2011
Fantastic insight into the last week of the Savior's life. I appreciated the different sources (scriptures, music, etc) added to each section and the detail that in gave in helping me to more fully understand the purpose of His life, death, and resurrection. Would be a great read during the Easter season or at any time when you feel the need to be closer to Christ.
April 9, 2012
This was nice--I liked all the content in it. Just found myself at times wishing for more, or deeper, or something, I guess. But it will be on my reread list for preparing for Easter in the future, and we read parts of it along with the suggested scripture chapters in family scripture study. Nice.
March 30, 2016
This was an incredible book! It takes you through the events of Holy Week and then Easter day by day. It is thorough, insightful, and moving. Spencer and I read it day by day as a part of our Easter celebration this year, and it really did help me more fully appreciate and even understand the Lord Jesus Christ's atonement, crucifixion, and resurrection. I highly recommend this book.
July 12, 2011
Very well done. Takes you day by day for each event that happened during the final days of the Saviors Life. Eric Huntsman has done a fantastic job researching & writing this book. Highly Recommended.
April 20, 2011
Very well done. The book is loaded with beautiful illustrations and photographs. It is very informative and our family will be using it to make Easter more meaningful. I loved this book and couldn't put it down.
April 10, 2012
I so enjoyed this devotional approach to Easter, with Huntsman discussing each day of the Savior's final week. I'd like to revisit this work another Easter season and exactly follow the author's recommendations for a richer spiritual experience for the holiday.
April 1, 2013
I loved following the outline of reading from the Gospels for Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday. There were insights I had not thought of on my own, and connections and symbolism that deepened my understanding of the Savior and Atonement. Time well spent.
April 26, 2014
A close look at the last week of the Savior's life, along with some ideas about how to celebrate Easter. Filled with lots of great pictures, painting and maps.
Page Turner: 4/10
Honest: 8/10
Intelligent: 8/10
Uplifting: 7/10
Page Turner: 4/10
Honest: 8/10
Intelligent: 8/10
Uplifting: 7/10
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews