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Digging Deeper: Understanding and Applying Life-Changing Doctrines from the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is full of powerful teachings, but sometimes it feels challenging to find the practical applications that give those teachings added significance. The prophet Nephi rejoiced both in preaching doctrine and also in likening the scriptures to himself. Author Robert I. Eaton blends shrewd scriptural analysis with compelling personal stories to demonstrate how we all can make sure the principles in the Book of Mormon function as much more than abstract concepts. Delving deeply into both familiar and unsung stories, this highly accessible volume is sure to help readers get doctrines not only into their heads but into their hearts and lives.
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192 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2006
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28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 15, 2008
Robert Eaton has compiled an easy-to-read topical study guide for the Book of Mormon in “Digging Deeper: Discovering and Applying Life-Changing Doctrines from the Book of Mormon”. If readers are unable to get Lowell L. Bennion’s “The Book of Mormon, A Guide to Christian Living (Deseret Book, 1985), Eaton’s work is a fine way to examine the LDS scriptures in a topical framework.
Often when we read the Book of Mormon, Eaton writes, we get so caught up in the chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse plodding that we are unable to see the wider yet more detailed picture painted by the ancient American prophets’ lives. Eaton identifies the goal and purpose of his book as “somewhere in between a doctrinal commentary and a devotional or self-help book.” (p.x) His aim is to “emulate Nephi by examining several of my favorite stories and themes in the Book of Mormon with an eye to answering the ‘therefore, what?’ questions of life. My hope is that each chapter helps readers understand the Book of Mormon’s doctrines better while simultaneously inspiring them to apply those doctrines in their lives.” (p.x)
“Digging Deeper” is organized into five general categories: Life’s Journeys, Perspective, God’s Guidance, Leadership, and Conflict. Each of the general categories includes two to four chapters dealing with specific scriptural stories that apply to the subject at hand, and a handy chapter summary (entitled, “Therefore, what?”) points out the lessons and insights Eaton wants the reader to walk away with and apply in everyday life.
The very familiar stories of the brother of Jared, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis, the lonely ministries of Moroni, Abinadi, and Mormon, are thoroughly discussed by Eaton, but so are some seemingly minute details, such as Lehi’s family having meat “made sweet” for them in the wilderness.
Eaton often uses personal examples to demonstrate how the Book of Mormon can be applicable to modern life lessons. In the chapter entitled, “Satan’s Slippery Slopes”, Eaton discusses Sherem, Nehor, the Zoramites and Korihor as examples of people dealing with Satan’s subtle and evolving temptations which result in slippery slopes. He concludes the chapter by explaining how he learned he needed to pay attention to the music he listens to:
He writes, “I listened to the rest of the lyrics and was surprised to learn that the woman being celebrated in this song was a prostitute. It was a revealing moment. I am quite sure that on other occasions, I’ve sung along with more than one word of a tune whose message was fundamentally at odds with the gospel. Satan and his minions must chuckle when they manage to slip ideas past us in song or film – and even get us to repeat them – ideas or notions that we would never support if they were mere words, unvarnished with catchy music or flashy special effects.” (p.132)
The final chapter of “Digging Deeper” is itself titled “Therefore, what?” and reminds the reader that the whole point of the Book of Mormon is to be a witness for and encourage modern readers to come unto Christ. The chapter heading sums it up nicely: “Christ is the answer to many critical questions in the Book of Mormon – and in our lives.” (p.159) This strong concluding emphasis is a bright and welcome way to end the book, full of insights and ideas that shed more light on the purpose and importance of the scriptural account.
In Eaton’s words, “The more time I spend exploring the Book of Mormon with the Spirit as my guide, the more I come to know the Savior and the sweetness of His saving doctrines....His prophets remind us that by remembering God’s merciful hand in our lives – particularly the mercy He extends to us through the Atonement of His Son – our hearts become more attuned to receiving the further gift of revelation.” (p.170)
By helping readers focus on and understand Book of Mormon teachings and doctrines in a topical, rather than a linear, manner, Eaton is giving them another tool to find revelation and inspiration in their own lives as they compare his insights with their own and with those of the Book of Mormon prophets.
Often when we read the Book of Mormon, Eaton writes, we get so caught up in the chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse plodding that we are unable to see the wider yet more detailed picture painted by the ancient American prophets’ lives. Eaton identifies the goal and purpose of his book as “somewhere in between a doctrinal commentary and a devotional or self-help book.” (p.x) His aim is to “emulate Nephi by examining several of my favorite stories and themes in the Book of Mormon with an eye to answering the ‘therefore, what?’ questions of life. My hope is that each chapter helps readers understand the Book of Mormon’s doctrines better while simultaneously inspiring them to apply those doctrines in their lives.” (p.x)
“Digging Deeper” is organized into five general categories: Life’s Journeys, Perspective, God’s Guidance, Leadership, and Conflict. Each of the general categories includes two to four chapters dealing with specific scriptural stories that apply to the subject at hand, and a handy chapter summary (entitled, “Therefore, what?”) points out the lessons and insights Eaton wants the reader to walk away with and apply in everyday life.
The very familiar stories of the brother of Jared, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis, the lonely ministries of Moroni, Abinadi, and Mormon, are thoroughly discussed by Eaton, but so are some seemingly minute details, such as Lehi’s family having meat “made sweet” for them in the wilderness.
Eaton often uses personal examples to demonstrate how the Book of Mormon can be applicable to modern life lessons. In the chapter entitled, “Satan’s Slippery Slopes”, Eaton discusses Sherem, Nehor, the Zoramites and Korihor as examples of people dealing with Satan’s subtle and evolving temptations which result in slippery slopes. He concludes the chapter by explaining how he learned he needed to pay attention to the music he listens to:
He writes, “I listened to the rest of the lyrics and was surprised to learn that the woman being celebrated in this song was a prostitute. It was a revealing moment. I am quite sure that on other occasions, I’ve sung along with more than one word of a tune whose message was fundamentally at odds with the gospel. Satan and his minions must chuckle when they manage to slip ideas past us in song or film – and even get us to repeat them – ideas or notions that we would never support if they were mere words, unvarnished with catchy music or flashy special effects.” (p.132)
The final chapter of “Digging Deeper” is itself titled “Therefore, what?” and reminds the reader that the whole point of the Book of Mormon is to be a witness for and encourage modern readers to come unto Christ. The chapter heading sums it up nicely: “Christ is the answer to many critical questions in the Book of Mormon – and in our lives.” (p.159) This strong concluding emphasis is a bright and welcome way to end the book, full of insights and ideas that shed more light on the purpose and importance of the scriptural account.
In Eaton’s words, “The more time I spend exploring the Book of Mormon with the Spirit as my guide, the more I come to know the Savior and the sweetness of His saving doctrines....His prophets remind us that by remembering God’s merciful hand in our lives – particularly the mercy He extends to us through the Atonement of His Son – our hearts become more attuned to receiving the further gift of revelation.” (p.170)
By helping readers focus on and understand Book of Mormon teachings and doctrines in a topical, rather than a linear, manner, Eaton is giving them another tool to find revelation and inspiration in their own lives as they compare his insights with their own and with those of the Book of Mormon prophets.
January 3, 2010
This book takes different aspects of the Book of Mormon and applies the lessons learned to every day trials we are going through. Since the Book of Mormon was written for our day, the author tries to answer the questions of what are we supposed to learn from it and how to we apply it to our lives now. I think the book was very well written and even though there are not any earth shattering new insights, it did cause me to look at a few things differently. I also found somethings within myself that I want to change.
June 7, 2009
An easy-to-read analysis of the Book of Mormon done in a topical framework. A few really good insights but not much that hasn't been said before.
The author does do a really good job of helping you apply the principles to your life.
The author does do a really good job of helping you apply the principles to your life.
Want to read
January 5, 2008I know the author!
October 22, 2009
Major insights into myself, again, I am seeing application to myself in all these but he points out lessons that I would not have seen otherwise.
December 5, 2009
I really liked this book. Eaton brings up a lot of details in commonly know BOM stories that I never considered.
June 26, 2010
A pretty good review of applying Book of Mormon to ourselves.
Want to read
July 28, 2017I have been really impressed so far by this book, it has a lot of amazing insights that have really helped me a lot. And I am only in the first chapter so far!
December 24, 2012
I think I particularly enjoyed this book because I had heard all the stories before told by the author or others in his family.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews