The Savior's Final Week

by Andrew C. Skinner

Living apostles and prophets have testified that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the most important event in time or all eternity, and the event upon which our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness rests. This three-volume series explores the Savior's atoning sacrifice which took place in Gethsemane, Golgotha, and the Garden Tomb. The event centers on Gethsemane, the place where the Savior of the universe experiences his greatest suffering. It was the place where all prophetic history came together and eternity hung in the balance — the place where the Savior confronted the bitter cup and drained its dregs to the last drop. In latter-day revelation, the Savior himself bore personal testimony of his redemptive experience in that garden spot on the Mount of Olives and explained its significance for all mankind. Golgotha is a necessary sequel to Gethsemane, for what began in the garden of Gethsemane was completed on Golgotha's hill as well as in the Garden Tomb. In Gethsemane Jesus consumed the bitter cup so that we would not have to. On Golgotha's hill the bitter cup was refilled and drunk again. In this second book of Andrew Skinner's trilogy about the Atonement, we are drawn into the events surrounding the crucifixion of the Lord. The author brings scriptural and historical insights to bear on his discussion of what he calls "as profound a story of unsurpassed concern for others in the face of violent treatment as will ever be found." In The Garden Tomb, the third volume in his trilogy on the Atonement of our Savior, Brother Skinner affirms the wonder of it all—that Jesus did conquer the tomb, becoming that "as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Citing the scriptures, credible testimonies of faithful Saints, and the teachings of leaders of the Church, this inspiring book vividly describes the Savior's glorious triumph over the grave and testifies of our own eventual liberation from death. In doing so, Brother Skinner dispels some of the most compelling uncertainties associated with What happens to our spirits at the moment of death? What might we experience in the interval between death and resurrection? What will the wonder of resurrection mean to us and to those we love? The Garden Tomb affirms the message of the All mankind will be resurrected. Because of Jesus Christ, we are assured that the grave is not our final destination, merely the portal to immortality and eternal life.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Christian, Nonfiction

553 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 8, 2013

About the author

Andrew C. Skinner was born and raised in Colorado. He attended the University of Colorado where he earned his B.A. degree in history. He then earned an M.A. degree from the Iliff School of Theology in Jewish Studies and a Th.M. degree from Harvard in Biblical Hebrew. He did graduate work at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel. His Ph.D. was awarded from the University of Denver in Near Eastern and European History, specializing in Judaism.

Brother Skinner taught four years at Ricks College, and has filled three assignments at the BYU Jerusalem Center where he served as a faculty member and taught Near Eastern Studies. Since September 2000 he has served as the Dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University. Prior to his current appointment, he served as chair of the department of Ancient Scripture at BYU. He is the author or co-author of over 100 publications including Jerusalem: The Eternal City; New Testament Apostles Testify of Christ; Discoveries in the Judaean Desert: The Unidentified Fragments from Qumran Cave 4 (which is an analysis of all the unidentified Hebrew and Aramaic Dead Sea Scroll texts); Scriptural Parables for the Latter Days, and Gethsemane.

He served a full time mission for the LDS Church from 1970-72 in the California Central Mission and served as Branch President at the Missionary Training Center in Provo. He has also served as a bishop in Colorado and Utah and currently serves as a member of the Correlation Evaluation Committee of the Church.

He and his wife Janet Corbridge reside in Lindon, Utah, and they are the parents of six children.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written book, a must annual pre Holy Week read💗 So grateful for what my savior did because he loves us.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually three books that were written by Andrew Skinner from 2002 to 2005. In 2014, he had the three books published as a combined work. I picked up this book at Deseret Book, right before Easter of 2015, andd read it the week I was in South Carolina helping my daughter with her new baby. As I could not take with me all the scriptural commentaries that I am using to study the New Testament this year, this one book was a perfect way for me to keep studying while I was not at home. The three parts of the SAVIOR'S FINAL WEEK were: Gethsemane; Golgotha; and The Garden Tomb. Skinner did an excellent job in including parts of several NT commentaries, as well as quotes from Presidents of the Church and other general authorities. His insights were thought provoking and caused me to ponder some new ideas. I felt that reading this book right before Easter helped me have a greater love for my Savior, and a greater desire to follow Him.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a 3-in-1 collection of the short books Gethsemane, Golgotha, and the Garden Tomb by Andrew Skinner. These books do a great job explaining and harmonizing the events and doctrine of the four gospels about the final week of Jesus's mortal life, as well as what happened in the forty days after his resurrection. There were some really great insights that this book added to my understanding and appreciation of the scriptures based on the language, culture, and historical context and content of the scriptures. There were also a lot great doctrinal insights added from the scriptures of the restoration and teachings of modern prophets. I loved the balance and incorporation of both prophetic insight and scholarly insights into the scriptures. It helped the scriptural account come to life and be imbued with deeper meaning. These books were definitely valuable and worthwhile to read.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really three books: Gethsemane, Golgotha, and The Garden Tomb. It is an inspiring and comprehensive look at the totality of the Savior's Atoning sacrifice, crucifixion and resurrection with copious allusions to scripture, well researched background, and prophetic commentary. It is well worth the reading time, and will boost faith as it uplifts and informs.

[Steve Kendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have ever read about Christ’s final days. It is very well written and has many references. This book is a compilation of his three books 1- Gethsemane, 2- Golgotha, and 3- The Garden Tomb. I highly recommend reading it.

[Kathy]

LOVE it!!!!
Taught me so much abput the Savior.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Loved this book. Will read again and again. Learned so much.

[Trent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the deep analysis as well as the non-biblical sources to shed light on many aspects of the Savior's period.

[Kim Bleiweiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Powerful Testimony

It is a comforting and affirming message of the accomplishment by the Savior of the atonement. The wonderful insights are testimony of his love for each and every one of God’s children throughout all of his creations.

[Heather A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed the way I view the Savior and my relationship with Him. I have a better understanding of what He went through in His final days in mortality because of the way the author used scripture, quotes and the culture of the day to paint a picture of what things really were like at the time. I am so glad I was given this book!

[Shilrey Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a fantastic book! Final Week brings the greatest event in history right before our eyes, in detail. I have learned so much about His last week and some of the imagery, why things were the way they were, why the Romans installed crucifixion as a punishment, and what the apostles were doing at that time. I always found Peter's denial troublesome. It just didn't make sense that Peter, who stood up to protect Jesus and cut off the ear of one of mob members, would then go and deny knowing Jesus three times. This book has the explanation to this troublesome behavior plus many more helpful insights to the Saviors Final Week.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 3 book trilogy on the Life and the Mission of Jesus Christ relating to the three pivotal events and locations of his life, Gethsemane, Golgotha and The Garden Tomb, is a enlightening and engrossing read. Andrew Skinner writes in a friendly, readable style that warms as it instructs. It is evident by Brother Skinner's words his profound love of the Savior and His mission. I cannot recommend these books enough.

[Travis Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have truly enjoyed this 3 book series. I have a deeper understanding of the role and mission of my Savior Jesus Christ. I understand more of what he went through, who he was, who he is today and who he has become in my life. I know Christ lives. This is one of the best books, second to the Holy scriptures, that helps me understand more of Him. Thanks Andrew Skinner for all your efforts in writing the words in these books.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

For everyone, Jesus died.
Make a circle. You're inside.
Let His love surround you
to guide the things you do.