A Companion to Your Study of the Old Testament

by Daniel H. Ludlow

The Old Testament provides the background for an understanding of all other scripture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even so, it "is considered by most people to be the book of scripture most difficult to understand and appreciate," writes author Daniel H. Ludlow

To help Church members understand and appreciate this sublime book of scripture, Doctor Ludlow has written A Companion to your Study of the Old Testament.

Part I of the book contains:

1. An overview of the beliefs, customs, and lives of the major Old Testament families.

2. A list of Old Testament prophecies to be fulfilled during Old Testament times, New Testament times, and in the latter days.

3. Selected quotations from presidents of the Church on the major Old Testament prophecies to be fulfilled in the latter days.

4. Excerpts from several important Church documents related to Old Testament topics.

Part II, comprising the bulk of the book, contains doctrinal and historical explanations of hard-to-understand passages from the Old Testament, identified by book, chapter, and verse. These are often supplemented by helpful quotations, usually from General Authorities of the Church.

The book includes an alphabetical list of difficult words and terms from the King James text, with definitions, explanations, and alternate readings.

This book, written specifically to be used with the Latter-day Saint edition of the King James Version of the Bible, is a concise reference work that belongs in the library of every student and teacher of the Old Testament.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Lds

437 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1981

Reviews

[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 McConkie's New Testament commentary.

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. While this style works great for easier to read scripture, like that of the New Testament, I felt like much of the mysterious passages in the Old Testament were ignored by Ludlow, largely because no authoritative voice has spoken about the passage in question.

[Mandy]

This was a good tool to have while reading the Old Testament. My only complaint was that it seemed like I only needed half of the information it provided. The other half was information I could already find in the footnotes. The quotes I did find in there were great. I actually ended up copying some of the quotes and putting them inside my scriptures.

[Elaine]

This is the style of commentary I like because it is mostly compiled quotes from the prophets.

[Etta Mcquade]

I could not read the Old Testament without this help. I had more questions, however, than Daniel Ludlow answers.