Christ and The New Covenant

by Jeffrey R. Holland

Introducing a major new doctrinal work written by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland who shares his apostolic witness of the central figure of the Book of Mormon — the Lord Jesus Christ. For most of a decade, Elder Holland has read the Book of Mormon repeatedly and thoroughly, focusing on all references to the Savior and his teachings. The result is an intelligent observation and thorough study of the Book of Mormon's contribution to our understanding of Christ.

Genres: Religion, Lds, Church, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Inspirational, Christian

436 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 23 June 1994. At the time of this call, Elder Holland was serving as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, to which he had been called on 1 April 1989. A native of St. George, Utah, he has spent most of his professional life in Church education. He received his bachelor and master degrees from Brigham Young University and a master degree and Ph.D. from Yale University.
From 1980 until his call as a General Authority in 1989, Elder Holland served as president of Brigham Young University. He is a former Church commissioner of education and dean of the College of Religious Education at BYU.
Elder Holland is the author of several books, one of which he co-authored with his wife, Patricia. They were married in 1963 and are the parents of three children and the grandparents of 12 grandchildren.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it fair to give a church book only 3 stars? I love Jeffrey R. Holland. His conference talks are always so inspiring to me. I picked up this book a couple of years ago, and well it's taken me about that long to get through this book. I love how basic and simple the principles are in this book. A person who is investigating the church could read this book and truly have a better understanding of the Book of Mormon, that the Book of Mormon is truly all about our Savior Jesus Christ. I loved that part of the book. I think that maybe I just expected too much out of this book and I just really need to appreciate it for what it is just basic explanation of each book in the book of mormon and how each prophet testified of the Savior. I wish I could say it was powerful for me, but it wasn't. At least not how the Book of Mormon is for me, or the conference talks. Anyway I feel a little bad about giving a book written by an apostle whom I love a 3 star...I liked it, but I didn't love it. I do have a strong testimony of the Savior and His Atonement, of the Book of Mormon and this gospel.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Elder Holland!

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elder Holland undertakes to outline the Book of Mormon's central character and primary subject: Jesus Christ. It appears to be a culmination of years of personal scripture study, of many many sessions of putting thoughts and impressions onto paper, and trying to make sense of the scriptural text.

It looks like some reviewers were expecting some groundbreaking exegesis, and were disappointed. As I see it, this is not an interpretive or theologically innovative work. It is rather a doctoral inventory of the Christology found in the Book of Mormon. And in that regard, it does very well. It hails back to a period decades ago when general authorities were publishing more scriptural and doctrinal volumes. For whatever reasons, these days that task seems relegated to BYU religion faculty, so it is nice to get a thorough scriptural treatment of fundamental doctrine from a contemporary general authority voice.

I was particularly pleased to see the topic of Nominal Appropriation and (Christ as the Father) covered.

More will be said later of Christ's role as "Father," but this is one way in which that title is appropriately applied to him who is customarily referred to as "Son." He is the Father of redeemed, restored, spiritual life—in short, eternal life. The faithful are born again—of Christ and by Christ and through Christ—when this mighty change wrought by him comes into their hearts. As is appropriate at the time of a new birth, a name is given, and the name the redeemed take upon themselves is "the name of Christ."

The short of it is that the Book of Mormon figures took Jesus very seriously. In working out their salvations, Jesus became their "Heavenly Father" in the very process of revealing his own.

Although this book is now nearly 20 years old, it is still worth reading. There is great value in returning to the fundamental doctrine of Christ as found in foundational scripture, guided by a current authority whose commission is primarily to "teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matt 28:19)

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This amounts to a running commentary on the Book of Mormon by the Apostle, Jeffrey Holland. It is more or less a sequential treatment, but is broken up by topics related to Christ. While a very fine book, the phrase that came to me in retrospect was Nephi's personal assessment that "neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking." Holland, who is unarguably mighty in speaking (perhaps the best among all the Brethren) has done a commendable job, but I was neither moved or enlightened to the extent that I generally am when I hear him speak. To that extent, the book was a slight disappointment. Certainly well worth reading, especially the final chapter, which is indeed powerful, and has the feel of his speaking power (perhaps because I have heard him actually say much of what is there written).

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elder Holland outlines the different ways that the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ in this book. It dawned on me while reading this that this whole book is him doing his job as an apostle, which is testifying of Christ. He does it in his own way, which is always a pleasure to read. Elder Holland is articulate and thoughtful. For me, the highlight of the book actually came from his testimony at the end. It was very powerful.

One of the highlights of the book was the following quote, from George Q. Cannon (Elder Holland's great-great-great grandfather): “No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so."

If you read this, I recommend you couple its reading with A Case for the Book of Mormon by Tad R. Callister.

[Skye Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent insights on the Book of Mormon. I especially love the ending testimony. Many wonderful gems in this one.❤️

[Jason Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subject and the author are enough to give this book 4 stars. Although most of the book is quoting Book of Mormon scripture, the last chapter caps it all off with Elder Holland's powerful witness of the Book of Mormon.

[Terry Earley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this treatment of the Book of Mormon from the perspective of the all-pervasive role of the atonement. The atonement of Jesus Christ is found on just about every page of this book of scripture.

It is a unifying theme and message, giving urgent meaning to one's reading.

[Apzmarshl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me unify everything inside of the Book of Mormon. Sometimes my reading is still in its infancy and I compartmentalize principles and ideas that belong together for a fuller truth.

[Tamra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dense reading. It took me a while to get comfortable with his writing style. I often had to re-read entire sections. Though this could be my failing, not his.

I read about 100 pages before I decided that this book would be best used as a reference book, a supplement, or one of those books where you read a chapter a week.

His insights, however, were fantastic. I will never read the story of the brother of Jared the same way again. Amazing.

I wouldn't mind owning this book, but I can't imagine reading it cover-to-cover in a short time span. I'm not saying that the analysis wasn't good, I just think the presentation left a little to be desired. And that's a shame.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am re-reading this book again because I think it is one of the best ever written concerning the Book of Mormon. Though it is not a "commentary" on the Book or Mormon, it provides the reader with a different perspective on how to approach it. With Elder Holland's insights compounded with a powerful testimony, it is one that stands out on my bookshelf and I'd recommend it to anyone.

[David Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A powerful testimony of Christ, the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith. The whole book is awesome, but the final chapter in which Elder Holland bears his testimony is magnificent. As I read the entire book, I could hear Elder Holland's distinctive voice in my mind. It was like he was reading the book to me. It was a marvelous experience.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was given to me by my parents almost 10 years ago. My dad said he walked into the bookstore and couldn't even consider another book. It's message and Elder Holland's testimony have come to me many times in the years since I received it. I wouldn't consider it a cover to cover read. This, in my opinion, is meant to be a companion to your study of The Book of Mormon.

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I study the Book of Mormon, the more I understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. This book opened my eyes to even greater understanding of who the Savior is and what his earthly mission was all about. I know him better now and love him more.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeffrey R. Holland is amazing. He opens up so many doors in the Book of Mormon! He has the ability to make the scriptures so personal, making the Book of Mormon that much warmer a read.

[Jorgina]

I am so going to read this book

[Albert]

Enlightening. It contains the scriptures of many passages, but adds an apostle's insight.

[Micah Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough exposition of the Book of Mormon. Lots of insights from a lifetime of study.

[Jackie Gommess · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent study of exactly how the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and how it accompanies the Bible in declaring Christ as our only Savior and Redeemer. I really liked the parallelism Elder Holland draws between the beginning and ending of the Book of Mormon: it starts with three witnesses of Christ (Nephi, Jacob, and extensive quotes from Isaiah in the Bible) and ends with three witnesses of Christ from Moroni (leading to his famous exposition of faith, hope, and charity). And Elder Holland's own witness of Jesus Christ was a beautiful way to end his own book!

There were many things I learned and may quotes I wrote down but here's my favorite, starting with a scripture written by Nephi when Christ reassures him that the sign for his birth into the world will be given just in time to save all of His believers from being put to death:

"'Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son--of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.' [3 Nephi 1:14]

Intriguingly, the 'me' in Christ's reference to himself--his spiritual self--is identified with the Fatherly role, while his flesh is linked with his role as the Son. That is the very doctrine Abinadi taught [Mosiah 15:7]--that the Father (the spirit) in Christ gave direction and had to be obeyed, while the Son (the flesh) in Christ had to yield and obey." (pg 191)

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pondering book: read a little, think a lot, read some more, think some more. Repeat to the end. And worth it. If you’re looking for light opinions, this is not it. And that’s good. :)

I listened to this book as I did laundry or ran errands on my own. You need all the quiet you can get to process the good depth of this commentary on the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I think I’ve been listening to his book in snatches for at least a year, possibly more. So when I say slow reading, I mean slow. Now that I have an overview I think I may go back and listen to it all at once with greater speed to enhance the continuity.

I love Elder Holland and hearing him read this book is probably the closest I will ever get to hearing an audiobook of him reading the Book of Mormon. But man, oh man, if he did. His love for this book is evident in every paragraph and especially in his affirmation at the end. It’s so easy to see he loves to discuss the Book of Mormon because it talks of Christ, testifies of Him, and seeks to bring any and all, who will, to Jesus.

Read this as you study of the Book of Mormon for insights and clarity, or on your own—but proceed slowly or be ready to be overflowing with rich language and deep reflections that span literature and history and theology. Jeffrey Holland is an educated man and his academic vocabulary coupled with fervent love for Jesus make this a rich and comforting read.

[Dlora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was uplifted and renewed, taught and motivated by this book. I think it was both because of the subject material but also because of how skillfully and elegantly author Jeffrey R. Holland organized and explained the Book of Mormon and its message. My review really should be about the book—which is about the Book of Mormon, which really is about Christ—but I was amazed by Elder Holland’s writing and insight. I was blown away by his wonderful grasp and use of language, his in-depth analysis of scripture, both looking at a single word or a sentence or overarching themes and events. His witness and message throughout the book came through clearly and movingly: “In a lifetime of reading, the Book of Mormon stands preeminent in my intellectual and spiritual life, the classic of all classics, a reaffirmation of the Holy Bible, a voice from the dust, a witness for Christ, the word of the Lord unto salvation.” Given that he has a bachelor’s in English and a master’s in Religious Education, and a second master’s and a doctorate in American Studies from Yale, that is saying something!

[Jeff Birk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elder Holland has always been a favorite speaker of mine. Listening to this book was certainly enhanced with him as the narrator. He spends much time speaking first about how three of the early Book of Mormon prophets (Nephi, Jacob and Isaiah) testify of Christ. It's important to acknowledge that the book starts this way for a reason: to get us immediately into the mode of focusing on Christ. He then covers many of the other main characters and their experiences and testimonies of Christ (Abinadi, Alma the elder and younger, etc). Elder Holland ends with a great testimony of his own about the book itself and its translator, Joseph Smith, essentially saying “I wasn’t in the room with John Taylor when he took four balls for the Prophet, but I would be.” He also says of the thousands of books he’s read and hopes to read, the Book of Mormon stands preeminent. My inner flame has been fanned again to make this holy book a bigger part of my life.

[Brad Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a helpful, chronological outline of the Book of Mormon, and its role as a testament of Jesus Christ.

It shows how the book is “bookended” with 3 witnesses of Christ. First, Nephi, Isaiah, and Jacob, all 3 of whom saw Jesus Christ and were called to witness of him. The 3 of them set the stage of the Book of Mormon as a book which witnesses of Christ. As Elder Holland puts it, reading the witness of these 3, they act as sentinels, admitting the reader into the scriptural presence of the Lord.

The Book of Mormons ends with 3 witnesses of Christ, as cited by Moroni. He first cites a witness of Christ and his dealings with the nephites. He then details the witness of the brother of Jared. He then finished, sharing his personal witness of Christ, and directs that witness to the future readers of the Book of Mormon.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has read the Book of Mormon numerous times, I was amazed at how much new I learned about that book from Elder Holland. He gives a grand overview of the Book of Mormon in a way that is hard to pick out from a typical read of the Book of Mormon, and beautifully highlights how both the teachings and the symbolism throughout the Book of Mormon are centered on Jesus Christ. I even obtained an answer to one of my long-held questions from reading Elder Holland's book. I would highly recommend this for anyone seeking to gain a greater understanding of the Book of Mormon. And to those new to the topic, I would highly recommend the Book of Mormon. It is a life-changing book that lends itself to a lifetime of study.

[Myranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. If you've ever loved a talk by Elder Holland, you NEED to hear his abridged narration of this book. I had hoped to read along, and do wish he'd narrated the whole book... but it is SO beautifully spoken (as expected) that it doesn't feel anything is missing. His testimony and explanation in the final chapter, entitled "Witness", is worth the cost of the whole book many-many times over... DEFINITELY worth the cost of my yearly subscription to the Deseret Bookshelf Plus app.

First printed as a beautiful hardbound volume in 1997, it was printed in soft cover in 2006 which made it more accessible to those with more limited funds. I HIGHLY recommend seeking out a copy for your own family library.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book on my kindle for years! I finally listened to it through the DeseretBook Bookshelf and loved it! I'm so very glad now that I have it on kindle to reference.

I see Holland in this book much like I see Mormon with the Book of Mormon. Mormon had a mass of books to sift through and compile a record of the people of the America's. Choosing above all to testify of Christ in his abridgment along with commentary. Holland took from the Book of Mormon the many key points where Christ is discussed. I can only imagine how ones testimony of Jesus Christ would grow when going through the exercise of writing a book like this. This book is a treasure!

[Brandon Checketts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holland does an amazing job with this book. When I first picked it up, I was expecting it to be more of Elder Holland's words and personal insights into the Book of Mormon. Instead, Holland mostly uses scripture. A lot of the content of this book is verses straight from the pages of the Book of Mormon. The intention of this book, as it seemed to me, was not to offer Elder Holland's wisdom, but to highlight how Christ and his Atonement line every page of the Book of Mormon. While Christ only physically appears in a handful of chapters in 3 Nephi, this book helps you recognize that the symbols and teachings of Christ were in the Americas from the very beginning.

[Tyler Rockwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely wonderful read. It was full of wonderful insights about the Book of Mormon that I’d never considered before. When I read the Book of Mormon, I often fall into the habit of rushing through certain sections, but this book has helped me to gain additional insights from verses that I had never previously considered to be particularly valuable. I will definitely be rereading this book in the future. It acts as a sort of commentary of the Book of Mormon, which is extremely helpful for personal scripture study and writing talks. If you’re looking for some way to refresh your scripture study, or just want something uplifting to read, consider picking up a copy of this book!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a scholarly treatise, but rather a heartfelt, deep, and thought-provoking walk through the Book of Mormon chronologically (by topic) with Elder Holland. He goes through the anticipation, atonement, appearance, afterward, and affirmation of Christ and how the Book of Mormon is constantly testifying of Christ and His mission. I don't recommend just reading it straight through, although that's what I did. This is one that I will re-read and go through each section, pausing after each section to read the corresponding part of the Book of Mormon.

There's a lot to process here and it's worth reading and pondering. Holland's testimony is powerful.

[Stephan van Velzen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sometimes there are books that take all the joy of reading away, but for one reason or another, you feel you need to finish them. This is one of those books for me. Written by one of my favorite apostles, about an amazing subject, I figured this book would be perfect and I tried to see it through to the end.

Unfortunately, I couldn't finish. I really couldn't handle a book that was basically a list of scriptures about Christ, with very little meat to it. It's like a junior version of Jesus the Christ, without Talmage's epic insights.