A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon

by Daniel H. Ludlow

The most helpful guide to studying the Book of Mormon that is now available. That is how several distinguished professors of religion at Brigham Young University and teachers at seminaries and institutes have described A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon. The purpose of this important volume is to provide pertinent information on the coming forth of this standard work as well as supplementary information on some of its important and more difficult passages. The commentary on these passages comes from the teachings of General Authorities, from the writings of Book of Mormon scholars, and from the observations and experiences of the author, a professor of religion at BYU and director of Correlation Review for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Teachers, students, and all who wish to gain greater insight into the understanding of the Book of Mormon.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Church, Nonfiction, Reference

396 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1976

Reviews

[Shauna]

I have loved reading this book. I am sad to have finished it. This book actually belonged to my incredible grandmother, who passed away 23 years ago. When I was looking through her old books and I saw her personal handwriting written in this one, I knew I had to read it. I am so glad I did. Besides loving the content, which was both insightful and uplifting, every time I held the book in my hands, it made me think of her.

[Christy]

"The most helpful guide to studying the Book of Mormon that is now available."

That is how several distinguished professors of religion at Brigham Young University and teachers at seminaries and institutes have described A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon. The purpose of this important volume is to provide pertinent information on the coming forth of this standard work as well as supplementary information on some of its important and more difficult passages. The commentary on these passages comes from the teachings of General Authorities, from the writings of Book of Mormon scholars, and from the observations and experiences of the author, a professor of religion at BYU and director of Correlation Review for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Teachers, students, and all who wish to gain greater insight into the understanding of the Book of Mormon will find within these pages:

(1) Background information on the coming forth of the Book of Mormon;

(2) A discussion of the major sets of plates associated with it;

(3) A historical background leading to the period of the Book of Mormon;

(4) A brief review of its secular history;

(5) Commentary and information on difficult and challenging verses of this inspired volume of scripture; and

(6) Testimonies of those who have tested and verified the validity of the Book of Mormon.

[Michele]

One of my Sunday hobbies is finding older church books like this one and reading them. I really like Daniel Ludlow and his amazing insights.

Page 201 says that the word guile can mean strategy, which he says Alma planned to use with King Lamoni, but it seems to me the scriptures refers to King Lamoni not Alma so I have always wondered about that one, as we soon find out what a good, sincere man the King was.

215:
Belief is in a sense passive, an agreement or acceptance only; faith is active and positive, embracing such reliance and confidence as will lead to works.....faith is vivified, vitalized, living belief.

299: gives high praise for Moroni.

[Tyler]

This is an old commentary but it has a lot of good information in it. It was worth my time and I learned some things I didn't know before.

[David Barney]

The book hits upon certain scriptures throughout the Book of Mormon.

[Erin]

I began reading this in Jan of 2008 as I began my study of the Book of Mormon in preparation for teaching the Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class. I read a few pages each week, following the suggested reading schedule. There was so much information I really enjoyed. Daniel Ludlow quotes Hugh Nibley, James E. Talmage, Bruce R. McConkie and many early latter-day prophets. (This book was published in 1977) The book is organized neatly and very easy to understand. Although there is no Bibliography, which I would have liked. This book is not all inclusive, which other authors have tried to do with more current books on this same topic. However, I found that this length of book was good. Not too long, yet not too short. I liked it very much. I would read it again the next time I teach a Book of Mormon class.

[James Miller]

The Ludlow companions are very helpful for LDS scriptorians. Ludlow has compiled interesting comments, quotes, and observations from various sources to compile a meaningful and authoritative commentary.

He draws on sources such as church manuals from BYU and sunday school classes, general conference talks, and books written by church authorities such as teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith.

I recommend it to those who would like to learn interesting facts and gain perspective. However, Ludlow only provides commentary on those versus that he feels warranted. Therefore, this book may not be useful to someone who wants a long-winded verse by verse commentary that re-explains even the simplest passages

[Heidi]

It added so much to my understanding. Insightful.

[Johnny]

Great

[Etta Mcquade]

Very helpful in my re-reading of The Book of Mormon.