The Book of Mormon Made Easier: Part 3

by David J. Ridges

In our busy world we sometimes find our scripture study isn't always productive. The solution is here with The Book of Mormon Made Easier! Along with the complete text of the Book of Mormon, this valuable study guide includes in -the-verse notes and additional insights and commentary. A perfect study companion!

Genres: Religion, Lds, Nonfiction, Church, Reference, Christianity, Scripture

393 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2004

About the author

David J. Ridges taught for the Church Educational System for thirty-five years. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Brigham Young University and taught adult religion and Know Your Religion classes for BYU Continuing Education and spoke at BYU Campus Education Week for many years.

Ridges has served as a curriculum writer for Sunday School, seminary, and institute of religion manuals. His callings in the Church include Gospel Doctrine teacher, bishop, stake president, and patriarch. He and his wife, Janette, have served two full-time Church Educational System missions. They are the parents of six children and are enjoying a growing number of grandchildren. They reside in Springville, Utah.

Reviews

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. It’s fun to read the Book of Mormon with new insights.

[Danny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read all three Book of Mormon sections of this, I really wanted to like it because of what it cost. I was expecting them to be more like an institute manual or a study guide I guess. It's neither. It has a few interesting thoughts and tidbits but for the most part it's just summarizing what you read. Defining the same words over and over again and interrupting the verse to basically just rephrase it drove me crazy and I just started ignoring the italic sections. I would have liked to see more things he talked about be gospel sources rather than just his thoughts (many of them repetitive) on the matter. I know a lot of people like this series and I could see it being helpful to someone new to trying to understand the language of the scriptures. Just not my cup of tea ( if I can use that phrase reviewing an LDS book 😉).

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I finished The Book of Mormon again with this study guide and I learned new stuff. David J. Ridges helps me in my gospel study.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Studying the Book of Mormon along with Ridges added insights was helpful in a deeper appreciation of this great book of scripture.

[Kathy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books really have made reading the Book of Mormon easier. I'll definitely be reading them over and over again. ❤

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading The Book of Mormon this way. It helped me see some of it in a new way and learn new things.

[Jane B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the Book of Mormon many times but I learned many things I didn’t know reading it with David Ridges text. There were several ah-ha moments. My sister read Book or Mormon Made Easier and recommended it to me, and I recommend it to you.

[Sal4gal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books, it’s like they explain things for seminary age students.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this! I can't tell you how much I loved these books by David Ridges. Such a powerful way to study the scriptures. I feel a little sad to be done with them and done with my seminary class on Thursday. I'm going to miss my students this summer! And I'm going to miss being immersed in the Book of Mormon...I learned so many lessons this time through, such a powerful book of scripture. I am so blessed to have it to guide my life. I'm planning on picking up the D&C versions of these books soon, to get crackin' on next year.

[Rada · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last book in the Book of Mormon Made Easier series was just as good as the rest.
Some of you may be misled by the title. There is nothing bumbed down in these books. It is explained in a manner that more people can understand than just reading the scriptures by themselves. I know that over the time I have read this series, my love and devotion of God has increased and my testimony has been strengthened.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful that David Ridges compiled and published this series. It makes my scripture study much more meaningful and enjoyable. He puts the footnotes, side notes, meanings of words, Bible Dictionary definitions.... right in the test of the scriptures so I don't have to go looking all over over the place to clarify as I study. All his sources are listed in the front of each volume, and they are all trusted sources. I use these books every day!

[Jason Comely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad to see this series end. David J. Ridges has an incredible understanding of scripture. Now I'd like to find another study guide for the Book of Mormon, but the 'Made Easier' series will be hard to match.

Another excellent guide is Laybe Packer's My Daily Book of Mormon Devotional - 365 Day Personal Study Guide. I'll probably revisit that one again at some point.

[Janet Rowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes it Clear

Very good commentary without footnotes for both new readers and seasoned readers of this wonderful Book of Mormon. Makes it clear and easy to understand in both context and chronology.

[Julie Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time to read it again! ☺️

[Meleece · Rating 4 out of 5]

The commentary in vol. 1 was better, but I like the direct quotes from scriptures and prophets, and easier to make my own notes.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cool way to approach reading the Book of Mormon. There are a lot of great insights and additional information and references included that you wouldn't get out of just reading the Book of Mormon cover-to-cover on your own. I appreciated the extras and a lot of the explanations. I did find some of the explanations of terms/vocabulary that were in parentheses tucked right into verses a little tiresome and tedious to wade through or skip over. Many of them were unnecessary to me, but I can see how they might benefit someone unaccustomed to scripture language. That's the only reason I rated this book as 4 stars rather than 5. Regardless, it was a significantly more in depth study of the Book of Mormon (Helaman through Moroni) than I've had on my own so I definitely appreciated the experience.

[LMoody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gained some cool insights from this third book in David Ridge’s Book of Mormon Made Easier series. Here is one of my favorite comments from Ether 12: "The word, “hope,” as used in the Book of Mormon, is not a “wishing for” or a tentative “hoping” that maybe something will be obtained. It is a much stronger word than that. In Alma 58:11, “hope” is coupled with the terms “assurances” and “great faith.” In 2 Nephi 31:20, we see “a perfect brightness of hope” leading to “eternal life.” Thus, “hope,” in a strong Book of Mormon sense, means that you can “plan on” eternal life in the presence of God because of faith in Christ."

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Done

I really enjoyed this commentary. I found it added to my understanding if the Book of Morning. It was a great way to study it. Thank you for all the with that went into the making of it!

[Cassaronda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for help with basic understanding and some definitions. Definitely didn’t agree with all of his “interpretations.” It’s good for a seminary-student-level of inquiry. I would recommend Skinner or Welch for deeper scholarship.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

greater understanding

Verse by verse showing a deeper meaning than what is seen by the eye and missed at first glance. Every time it is reread it is amazing at what more can be learned

[Danica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like studying with these guides. :)

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wish it came in audio format!

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has made a tremendous difference in my study. I understand so much more.

[Linda P Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Believe in Christ. I love Him. He is our Saviour!

This book is true! I have prayed about it and received my witness for myself! As far as I am concerned, end of discussion!

[David Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the Book of Mormon (as always) with this guide. I enjoyed all three of the guides.

[Karijean31 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in a little differant style than his first two. I found it a little harder to read but still enjoyable

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great companion study to the book of Mormon!!

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned several good insights from this book that are staying with me and causing me to ponder them. I would recommend this book.

[Sara Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an amazing resource! I loved having the extra notes and understanding while listening to the Book of Mormon.