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Scripture Study Made Simple: The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is central to the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As such, it is imperative that members of the Church strive to gain a deeper knowledge of this sacred volume. In Scripture Study Made Simple, Kathryn Gordon presents readers with a unique guide to the scriptures, displaying the full scriptural text along with additional commentary designed to deepen your understanding. With her masterful research and reflections on this holy book of scripture, the author leads readers through the sacred words of the Book of Mormon in spectacular detail. By delving into individual verses, you will develop a rich familiarity with the history, terminology, and characterizations found within familiar doctrinal accounts. Scripture Study Made Simple is a powerful yet easy-to-understand work of gospel scholarship, sure to illuminate the words of ancient scripture as readers find new meaning in this keystone of our religion. For those seeking a broader understanding of the scriptures, this essential guide makes it easier than ever before to truly feast upon the word of Christ.
648 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2015
24 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 2, 2017
Best. Reference. EVER!
I'm not kidding, this is the most amazing scripture study book, and nothing else even comes close.
Primarily, the layout is much easier to make sense of than in similar books. In other scripture reference books I've found, the font/spacing/format are awkward and impractical. This sounds silly, but my eyes are literally repulsed by the way the text is printed.
But the way Jenkins' book is set up is comfortable and accessible. Instead of a side-by-side commentary that has random blocks of of text and space on the page, or references to verses or passages without the actual scriptures, this is simply a reprint of the Book of Mormon with her commentary and information directly after (in a lighter color and indented). Its vastly easier to process and her writing style is personable as she summarizes other, sometimes more academic, books.
To bridge that gap, she'll explain what is important to notice and then refer to or quote the supporting texts. Some commentaries simply give the quotes without specifying the overall point that's being made and you wouldn't think so, but it makes a huge difference!
Another thing I love about her commentary is that she often shows how many lists, formulas, and if-then statements (hello, computer coding) there are. Pointing out how they are structured as such made an enormous difference in how I perceived some of these prophetical sermons. If you haven't noticed, I'm quite visual, so this aspect appealed to the way I process information. It made instructions, warnings, admonitions, etc. simple and concise.
I also appreciate how she will give historical background information as it pertains to the verses, and even recaps the people and stories from the Old Testament that the Book of Mormon authors refer to. Like the political and moral climate in Jerusalem when Lehi left and why the city would be destroyed. She'll include things about the culture or location that give you a better context for the setting of the events. Simple things like harvesting techniques, Jewish customs, or travel logistics can break a verse wide open! Suddenly, you get a layer of meaning that maybe the Nephites took for granted, yet we have no concept of. It sometimes led me to do some research on my own, like exactly what kinds of seeds and foods they had and could carry out of Jerusalem. Pretty interesting, it turns out.
Something else she drew my attention to was word definitions. She regularly included apostolic interpretation of certain words or phrases like Bruce R. McConkie's full, spiritual description and context of the word 'charity'. This often leads me to look up the definition in the regular dictionary, which can send me down a rabbit hole of intriguing connections (charity has several definitions, including generous acts, benevolence to the needy, leniency and forbearance to those in disfavor, and Christian Love. It's origins stem back to the Latin word 'carus', meaning dear or valued, which other words like 'caress' and 'cherish' are derived from, and connects to other meanings like desire, esteem, and affection. However, the Latin translation of the Bible in the 4th century used a translation of the Greek word 'agape' which refers to love, specifically of mankind. Agape is now an English word, as well, meaning unselfish love for fellow men, akin to God's own love for mankind. It is supposedly from the Greek 'agapan' which means love, but also to greet with affection, and was used by early Christians for their "love feast" held in connection with the Lord's supper. It also turns out, the word agape was never very uniformly translated in several versions of the Bible, coming out mostly as 'love' and sometimes as 'charity' and that one revised edition just made them all 'love'. Whew! See what I mean?)
One last thing, is that Jenkins provides handy little side boxes summarizing important people in the Book of Mormon. She includes basic facts about them, their accomplishments or errors, and what we learn from them. I want to make flip-book out of them or something.
Obviously, I cannot say enough about how highly I recommend this book--for me, it's been a game-changer. Now that I'm done, I've been trying a couple of the other commentaries out there, but they've only solidified the superiority of this one.
I'm not kidding, this is the most amazing scripture study book, and nothing else even comes close.
Primarily, the layout is much easier to make sense of than in similar books. In other scripture reference books I've found, the font/spacing/format are awkward and impractical. This sounds silly, but my eyes are literally repulsed by the way the text is printed.
But the way Jenkins' book is set up is comfortable and accessible. Instead of a side-by-side commentary that has random blocks of of text and space on the page, or references to verses or passages without the actual scriptures, this is simply a reprint of the Book of Mormon with her commentary and information directly after (in a lighter color and indented). Its vastly easier to process and her writing style is personable as she summarizes other, sometimes more academic, books.
To bridge that gap, she'll explain what is important to notice and then refer to or quote the supporting texts. Some commentaries simply give the quotes without specifying the overall point that's being made and you wouldn't think so, but it makes a huge difference!
Another thing I love about her commentary is that she often shows how many lists, formulas, and if-then statements (hello, computer coding) there are. Pointing out how they are structured as such made an enormous difference in how I perceived some of these prophetical sermons. If you haven't noticed, I'm quite visual, so this aspect appealed to the way I process information. It made instructions, warnings, admonitions, etc. simple and concise.
I also appreciate how she will give historical background information as it pertains to the verses, and even recaps the people and stories from the Old Testament that the Book of Mormon authors refer to. Like the political and moral climate in Jerusalem when Lehi left and why the city would be destroyed. She'll include things about the culture or location that give you a better context for the setting of the events. Simple things like harvesting techniques, Jewish customs, or travel logistics can break a verse wide open! Suddenly, you get a layer of meaning that maybe the Nephites took for granted, yet we have no concept of. It sometimes led me to do some research on my own, like exactly what kinds of seeds and foods they had and could carry out of Jerusalem. Pretty interesting, it turns out.
Something else she drew my attention to was word definitions. She regularly included apostolic interpretation of certain words or phrases like Bruce R. McConkie's full, spiritual description and context of the word 'charity'. This often leads me to look up the definition in the regular dictionary, which can send me down a rabbit hole of intriguing connections (charity has several definitions, including generous acts, benevolence to the needy, leniency and forbearance to those in disfavor, and Christian Love. It's origins stem back to the Latin word 'carus', meaning dear or valued, which other words like 'caress' and 'cherish' are derived from, and connects to other meanings like desire, esteem, and affection. However, the Latin translation of the Bible in the 4th century used a translation of the Greek word 'agape' which refers to love, specifically of mankind. Agape is now an English word, as well, meaning unselfish love for fellow men, akin to God's own love for mankind. It is supposedly from the Greek 'agapan' which means love, but also to greet with affection, and was used by early Christians for their "love feast" held in connection with the Lord's supper. It also turns out, the word agape was never very uniformly translated in several versions of the Bible, coming out mostly as 'love' and sometimes as 'charity' and that one revised edition just made them all 'love'. Whew! See what I mean?)
One last thing, is that Jenkins provides handy little side boxes summarizing important people in the Book of Mormon. She includes basic facts about them, their accomplishments or errors, and what we learn from them. I want to make flip-book out of them or something.
Obviously, I cannot say enough about how highly I recommend this book--for me, it's been a game-changer. Now that I'm done, I've been trying a couple of the other commentaries out there, but they've only solidified the superiority of this one.
September 12, 2018
This is a good companion study guide that has the complete scripture text within the commentary.
There were many (too many for me) references to the "proving the authenticity of the Book of Mormon". I don't need or necessarily care about all that. Not a question for me. I just enjoy the explanations and the author's perspective on doctrine, symbolism etc. It's kind of like taking an institute class without having to schedule that into my life. And I like not having to jump back and forth between 2 books. It's all there together, on my Kindle which makes it so much easier to travel with and not get behind on my daily scripture effort.
One thing I wish they would add is the chapter headings that is in the actual scriptures. They leave those out but if I want to see them I have to get my scriptures.
I'm certain I will not read this title again even though I intend reading the Book of Mormon for the rest of my life. I have found a new commentary that I think I will like even better.
There were many (too many for me) references to the "proving the authenticity of the Book of Mormon". I don't need or necessarily care about all that. Not a question for me. I just enjoy the explanations and the author's perspective on doctrine, symbolism etc. It's kind of like taking an institute class without having to schedule that into my life. And I like not having to jump back and forth between 2 books. It's all there together, on my Kindle which makes it so much easier to travel with and not get behind on my daily scripture effort.
One thing I wish they would add is the chapter headings that is in the actual scriptures. They leave those out but if I want to see them I have to get my scriptures.
I'm certain I will not read this title again even though I intend reading the Book of Mormon for the rest of my life. I have found a new commentary that I think I will like even better.
October 3, 2019
I learned more from this version of The Book of Mormon than I ever have in my life I'm 72 and I finally finished the book and I know what all of the scriptures in it mean because of this author
this author explains scripture by scripture the meaning of what is said I really recommend reading the book of Mormon with this author describing what each passage means it's incredible what I didn't know
this author explains scripture by scripture the meaning of what is said I really recommend reading the book of Mormon with this author describing what each passage means it's incredible what I didn't know
October 13, 2017
This book really helped me to understand the Book of Mormon better! What a great resource! I liked that it pulled important commentaries from other well known books, and also added quotes from prophets, to help me liken the scriptures to me.
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January 16, 2017 It includes the Book of Mormon, verse by verse, with green-type insertions of quotes and references from general authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and scholars, notes on historical context and other helpful terminology clarifications, and some of the author's personal observations.
Here's a link to the feature I did for the Mormon Times section of the Deseret News.
Here's a link to the feature I did for the Mormon Times section of the Deseret News.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews