First 2000 Years From Adam to Abraham

The Thousand Years #1

by W. Cleon Skousen

The classic by Skousen reissed in 1997 with a new design with updated figures to the text, small new preface by author detailing the work and few changes. 329 pages with index, charts.

Genres: Religion, History, Nonfiction, Church, Lds, Mormonism, Historical

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

W. Cleon Skousen (1913-2006) was a popular teacher, lecturer and author in the United States for over 40 years. Born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada on January 20, 1913, Dr. Skousen’s growing up years were spent in Canada, Mexico, and California.

At age 17 he was called to serve a two-year, LDS mission to Great Britain for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He later attended college at the San Bernardino Junior College where he was elected Student Body President.

With scholarships and encouragements, he left California in 1934 to work as a government aid in Washington DC. Later Dr. Skousen applied and was hired as an FBI agent.

Dr. Skousen married his sweetheart, Jewel Pitcher of San Bernardino, California, August 1936. During the past 69 years, they have raised 8 children and are the grandparents of 50 grandchildren and over 69 great-grandchildren. He resided in Salt Lake City, Utah, the remainder of his life.

Dr. Skousen served the FBI for 16 years (1935-1951), and worked closely with J. Edgar Hoover. In 1951 he was asked to join the faculty of Brigham Young University. Here he headed up the Student Alumni organization. In 1956 he was asked to serve as Chief of Police of Salt Lake City. During his 4 year service, he also wrote his national best seller, "The Naked Communist." He also was the editor of the nations leading police magazine, "Law And Order." In 1960 he left the police force and began speaking tours around the country on the political crisis during that time period. He also ran for the governors office in Utah, but narrowly missed the primaries.

In 1967, Dr. Skousen returned to BYU as a professor in the Religion Department. He taught classes on The Book of Mormon, The Old Testament, and early LDS Church History. He continued that assignment until his retirement in 1978.

In 1972 Dr. Skousen organized a non-profit educational foundation, named "The Freemen Institute." Later changed to "The National Center for Constitutional Studies" (NCCS), Dr. Skousen and his staff became the nation’s leading organization in teaching seminars on the Founding Fathers and the U.S. Constitution. His book, "The Making of America" has been used nation-wide to educate students on the original intent of the Founders.

His many books and recordings include subjects from raising boys to principles of good government, to prophetic history. Listed in this web site are all the books and tapes which are still available today; Dr. Skousen shares a wealth of knowledge and optimism--a "diamond dust" of exciting history and eternal principles of hope, that calms the sea in today's stormy world of seemingly chaos and uncertainty.

Dr. Skousen passed away peacefully in his home on January 9, 2006, of natural causes incident to age, just 11 days shy of his ninety-third birthday. He was lovingly surrounded by his family and wife Jewel, with whom he was anticipating their 70th wedding anniversary in August. He will truly be missed by many.

Reviews

[Dee Toomey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting to read, but if a person wants to read this book, they need to do so with the idea in mind that Skousen writes from his point of view and not necessarily writes facts. Nevertheless, much of what Skousen writes in this book makes a person ponder and search the scriptures for themselves.

[Lou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written by a raving lunatic, from the text. Back when I was an LDS adherent, I read it, understood the origin of it and the "logic" of it but looking back, it's apparent that the man had zero critical thinking skills whatsoever and made up the majority of the trip out of his own head as opposed to actually sourcing any legitimate information.

It's a clear study on the extreme lengths people can go in order to support or rationalize their arbitrarily nutty beliefs.

If you pick it up to read, skip to the appendices first. Some great science fiction mixed with religion there. L. Ron Hubbard should feel challenged!

LMAO

--Wag--

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great way to bring the Old Testament to life! I am pretty weaksauce when it comes to reading things like the Old Testament from cover to cover, but Skousen's interpretations make the Bible digestable, more real. He doesn't have an answer for everything, but he has at the very least plausible explanations for most things found in the Bible.

[thethousanderclub · Rating 3 out of 5]

In every cultural group there are household names. W. Cleon Skousen is one of those names among Latter-day Saints. In fact, like Hugh Nibley, Skousen is a Latter-day Saint academic that achieved enough prominence and visibility that some members of the Church incorrectly referred to him as "Elder" Skousen, inadvertently suggesting he was a Apostle, which he was not. Skousen achieved this level of visibility by writing books like The First 2,000 Years and its subsequent follow-ups, as well as other treatises relating to government, communism, and Latter-day Saint doctrine. The First 2,000 Years is the second book I have read from Skousen, the first being The 5,000 Year Leap. Although I enjoyed the The First 2,000 Years, it was very front-loaded and lacked less and less interesting insight the further I got into it.

If anything is immediately associated with Skousen when mentioned to Latter-day Saints, it would probably be the word speculation. Although Skousen is constantly referencing scripture, his interpretations and conclusions may sometimes surprise readers, even Latter-day Saints. What's most interesting about these speculations to me is that Skousen writes with total confidence. (I will say, however, that I find Skousen's explanation of the Atonement and why it was necessary to be extremely compelling and reasonable). He rarely provides multiple opinions and then delineates why he falls on one side or the other of a particular issue or topic. I find this to be the weakest aspect of Skousen's writings. I love the compare and contrast method of learning (see The Lord's Way or A Conflict of Visions as examples). The First 2,000 Years is a direct and concise commentary from one author; it could have offered more by pulling from other authors, both academic and ecclesiastical.

Skousen has the most to contribute when it comes to the beginning of all things, at least the beginning of our earth and related universe. Latter-day Saint scripture is far more robust and expansive than contemporary Christianity, and Skousen takes full advantage of unique details and doctrines Latter-day Saints consider canonized scripture. This is there the majority of the speculation can be found. Some of the commentary is a little too literal from my perspective but interesting nonetheless. As in science so in theology, if you go far enough back, the details of what actually happened and when they actually happened becomes fuzzier and fuzzier. (I'm mostly speaking of the creation of the Earth and our pre-mortal experience). What surprised me most regarding The First 2,000 Years is that Skousen pays little attention to what has been said by modern Prophets and Apostles regarding the topics he's discussing and elaborating on. A good example of an author who does pay a great deal of attention to what has been said by modern Prophets and Apostles while still maintaining his own speculations and conclusions is the book Earth in the Beginning, also written by a Skousen but I'm not sure of the relationship.

The first quarter or half of The First 2,000 Years is far more interesting and intriguing than the second half of the book. Once the Abraham epoch and commentary begins it feels like more of a scavenger hunt for who was born and when. There were a few insights here and there that I found intriguing but certainly nothing provocative.

The First 2,000 Years is the first of several books of commentary written by Skousen regarding the Bible, as well as other Latter-day Saint scripture. It was a passing amusement, but I'm not sure if I'll read the other books in this particular series. The book provides some interesting doctrinal topics of conversation, even if it only acts as a springboard, but I don't find much more value in it than that.

http://thethousanderclub.blogspot.com/

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit I enjoyed reading this book by Skousen. I do believe he is an authority on the scriptures. I enjoyed reading about the events in the Old Testament due to the fact that the Old Testament has some of my most favorite scripture stories.

BUT: Although I enjoy Skousen, and he does site references, I still feel that his books are filled with opinion. I do take to heart that what he writes may be personal opinion, but for me, it is still fun to read...keeping that in mind. This book has brought on some fun conversations at work and with my husband debating some of Skousen's beliefs. Whether completely accurate or not, it still gets me thinking more about the messages in the scriptures and gets me excited to hopefully someday know the real stories and facts of what is written in the scriptures.

[Josh Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is crazy. But the old testament is crazy too. I love the book but I do keep in mind it's purpose which I believe is to help get you thinking about the o.t. In a new way. That new way is not necessarily the only way or the correct way just one mans thoughts on a text that is no matter what going to be tough to swallow.

[Robb Menlove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good commentary on the Old Testament. A bit of a stretch in places. HOWEVER, in the appendix there is an article about why we need the Atonement which ought to be required yearly reading for everyone on the earth. EXCELLENT!!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

He definitely extrapolates the truth of what is actually written in scripture but it does make for an interesting read that gets you thinking about what people of the Bible could have felt, said, or did. It brought it to life for me.

[Dad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me a whole different feeling about the bible. It brought it to life so I felt I really knew the characters in the first 2000 years of this earth's history.

[Jabari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skousen view on blacks was out dated and slightly races

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and have read it several times. It makes the Old Testament from Adam through Abraham come alive.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much conjecture not enough doctrinal support.

[Jeff Birk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished Cleon Skousen’s “The First 2000 Years” today. It’s a long book and took a little longer than usual because he has questions to be answered at the end of each chapter kind of like taking a test. I went ahead and answered all the questions. Excellent book with lots of great insights and information about the beginning of time on this earth all the way up through Abraham. He also has an excellent article in the appendix about why there had to be an atonement. He has a second look after this one which covers the second 2000 years. I will get to that one eventually. He brings to light many thoughts and things to consider about all the characters in the Old Testament during the first 2000 years since Adam was created. It will be good review to go back and look at my answers to his questions from time to time.

[Lynette Winterton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skousen was a master at creating thought provoking scenarios as part of his teaching. I had many classes from him at Brigham Young University. He used sources and documentation and then added a human element to create more reality, more connection. I find nothing that conflicts with the truths we have in the Bible, especially considering how it has been edited over the years. The Book of Abraham adds more actual truth, and gives Brother Skousen more human element to work with. I hear him teaching in his classroom as I read his book with a playful gleam in his eye as he weaves captivating thought provoking story around documented truths. I think my personal exposure to his style of speaking in the classroom leaves no question in my mind that he is NOT mingling the philosophies of man with scripture.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure there are some good insights and thoughts in here, but I just felt like most of it was purely his own speculation and theory and it bothered me that he was presenting it as fact (one of my pet peeves, when authors' are misleading with opinions vs. facts). So that just made me feel too uncomfortable with it to finish reading it. I think for religious purposes I'd rather stick to accepted doctrines.

[Corby Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic study resource!

This makes it so much easier to understand so many Bible stories. It really analyzes all the related scriptures and fills in the gaps in ways that make the stories which often seem outlandish to make a whole bunch more sense.

[Nate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to be Mormon and I used to love this book. But not so much anymore.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, one I want to read again and again.

[Carol Nicolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for the person who wants to get the most from a serious study of the Old Testament. Cleon Skousen brings the past alive in his storytelling and careful research.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a book to read. I have a lot of issues with it. Upon completing this book the biggest one is that people still go to it and many of Skousen's others for authoritative gospel and scripture interpretation. He doesn't have any authority and shouldn't still be referenced. The good of this book are the rare insights he has on scriptures and the fact that he goes through ever major event from Adam to Abraham. I emphasize the RARE in that last statement. His 'good' insights are not common enough to warrant reading this, though. The bad of this book is that it is 1 part repeating scriptures and 2 parts of making broad assumptions and jumping to doctrinal conclusions that there is no evidence for. Forget everything you know about this guy and what is he? Simply a member of the church with opinions. That's all it is. He wasn't a general authority, he shows himself not really as a scholar (using only his cherry picked references to reinforce his interpretation). But, his opinions are presented in an authoritative way, rarely showing any deference to ignorance or humility on the matter, and presented in a method to make it easy to swallow (He largely writes like it is a clear narrative if you just study it enough). What that led to is way too many people in the 1950s 60s 70s 80s 90s 2000s relying on the clarity without questioning the veracity. I get why it happened, the church didn't have EFY speakers and BYU professors presenting accessible interpretation of the Bible, General Conference talks were largely dry doctrinal dissertations. But, come on! Let's move off the terribly shallow support for wresting the scriptures and move onto greater understanding! There is so much more to be understood! This is a faulty foundation to build biblical scholarship on. Please leave it behind. Leave Skousen behind, he's done all the good he could, we can now do better.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thought provoking examination of the origins and early history of the human race from Biblical, historical, and LDS materials. The author made it very clear when he was directly quoting his resources and when he was using his own understanding of human nature to connect the dots. For example, there is no Biblical account of Adam telling Eve that their youngest son had been murdered, any by his older brother. But it is likely that such a conversation did occur. Contemplating the emotional turmoil of these first parents as they considered having another child deepened my appreciation for their actions. Skousen has a good grasp on human nature (likely a skill from his days in the FBI) and uses that to explore the possible emotions that could be involved in similar circumstances throughout the historical record. The Bible tells us what happened, and this author gives a compelling explanation for why things happened as they did. This book pointed me back to its source materials with a greater perspective, and helped to humanize the start of the human race.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned quite a few things here, like how most of Adam and Eve's children rejected God, and the relief that came from understanding the gospel so late in their parenthood. I liked the genuine (non sterile) commentary on where God's power comes from and how he must obey laws to keep it. The treatment of Nimrod was excellent, and the multiple tribes of the righteous leading to exalted cities and the tribe of followers who visited the boy Jesus. Many scriptures popped out at me that I had never put together before, and expressed in a pleasant conversational tone like taling to my grandfather. It was a bit tedious sometimes, but I was surprised that so much interesting insight was gathered from such sparse and tedious source material. Thanks Mr. Scousen!

[Lauren Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has provided an overwhelming amount of doctrinal insight into what is contained in the Books of Moses, Abraham, and Genesis covering the first two thousand years of man's history on Earth. I found myself pouring over every page as I gained a deeper understanding of the doctrines presented from scriptural accounts of the war in heaven all the way down to the death of Abraham. This book made the prophets of old seem familiar (and human) while demonstrating that God loves us all and can use us as instruments for building His kingdom in spite of our imperfections. I can't wait to read it again and look forward to buying a hard copy for continued reference.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the 52 books in 52 weeks reading challenge. I used the 2021 prompt read a book that includes a historical event you know little about. I think the content deserves five stars. the writing was ok and in an easy to read format. However there were one or two spots in the book that i simply disagreed with the authors theory. hence the four star rating.

[Joanne Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book alongside my reading of the Old Testament. It gave me a deeper understanding of the events in Genesis. Now that I have read it, I will likely refer back to it from time to time to "see what Skousen has to say about this". Skousen discusses the events clearly and even gives us the references for his sources of study.

[Jason Nemrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is an older book and doesn't reflect any recent scholarship on the subject, it is still a very good grounding that seems focused on being almost a student textbook. I enjoy Skousen's writing style very much, though he includes a lot of personal speculation based on his background in law enforcement and predicting human nature.

[Red · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history of the world through the view of the scriptures? Yes please. This book was faith inspiring for me to see how much God's hand is continually trying to help us, his children. That the gospel was taught from the start. The book is easy to read and follow. I appreciated what this has added to my knowledge of the gospel.

[Brooks Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleon does a great job of reading between the lines of scriptural history. As a natural storyteller, he sometimes expands on just a small phrase to extrapolate further meaning from it. I don’t agree with all of his ideas and conclusions, but they certainly open the mind to some new thoughts and possibilities.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skousen frames the Bible (the Old Testament) as an epic tale, with big surprises every dozen chapters! I loved reading his history of the ancient world, and would recommend it to any Christian student of antiquity, or of scripture.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with a lot of information. Some of the chapters are outdated & do not align with modern revelation (book was written in 1972). I learned so much and have an even greater appreciation for Abraham & earlier prophets.