This four volume work, which was originally created as a university course, is a whole new approach to an advanced study of the Book of Mormon. In a sense, it is a private tutoring course. If the reader will concentrate on one verse at a time, drain the essential message from it, read any background material provided in the book by W. Cleon Skousen, and then apply the verse to his or her own life, they will be richly blessed.
By this means, the reader will have a chance to absorb the message far more deeply and make the Book of Mormon a vital part of daily living.
These books are easy to read and have proven highly popular with seminary students and those preparing for missions. They are also used as a family home evening course of study.
Volume One covers 1 Nephi 1 to Jacob 7.
Fully illustrated. Footnotes linked within the text. Complete table of contents.
W. Cleon Skousen (1913-2006) was a popular teacher, lecturer and author in the United States for over 40 years. Born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada on January 20, 1913, Dr. Skousen’s growing up years were spent in Canada, Mexico, and California.
At age 17 he was called to serve a two-year, LDS mission to Great Britain for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He later attended college at the San Bernardino Junior College where he was elected Student Body President.
With scholarships and encouragements, he left California in 1934 to work as a government aid in Washington DC. Later Dr. Skousen applied and was hired as an FBI agent.
Dr. Skousen married his sweetheart, Jewel Pitcher of San Bernardino, California, August 1936. During the past 69 years, they have raised 8 children and are the grandparents of 50 grandchildren and over 69 great-grandchildren. He resided in Salt Lake City, Utah, the remainder of his life.
Dr. Skousen served the FBI for 16 years (1935-1951), and worked closely with J. Edgar Hoover. In 1951 he was asked to join the faculty of Brigham Young University. Here he headed up the Student Alumni organization. In 1956 he was asked to serve as Chief of Police of Salt Lake City. During his 4 year service, he also wrote his national best seller, "The Naked Communist." He also was the editor of the nations leading police magazine, "Law And Order." In 1960 he left the police force and began speaking tours around the country on the political crisis during that time period. He also ran for the governors office in Utah, but narrowly missed the primaries.
In 1967, Dr. Skousen returned to BYU as a professor in the Religion Department. He taught classes on The Book of Mormon, The Old Testament, and early LDS Church History. He continued that assignment until his retirement in 1978.
In 1972 Dr. Skousen organized a non-profit educational foundation, named "The Freemen Institute." Later changed to "The National Center for Constitutional Studies" (NCCS), Dr. Skousen and his staff became the nation’s leading organization in teaching seminars on the Founding Fathers and the U.S. Constitution. His book, "The Making of America" has been used nation-wide to educate students on the original intent of the Founders.
His many books and recordings include subjects from raising boys to principles of good government, to prophetic history. Listed in this web site are all the books and tapes which are still available today; Dr. Skousen shares a wealth of knowledge and optimism--a "diamond dust" of exciting history and eternal principles of hope, that calms the sea in today's stormy world of seemingly chaos and uncertainty.
Dr. Skousen passed away peacefully in his home on January 9, 2006, of natural causes incident to age, just 11 days shy of his ninety-third birthday. He was lovingly surrounded by his family and wife Jewel, with whom he was anticipating their 70th wedding anniversary in August. He will truly be missed by many.
I thoroughly enjoyed using this study guide-it's a commentary in workbook form. The author has shared so much factual information to deepen our understanding of the people, cultures, and events of which we read, he also shares his own thoughts about possible details of events and individuals which are not recorded but deduced. He is careful to explain how he comes to his conclusions so that the reader understands which are his own thoughts, and not too be considered suggestion of doctrine.
I thoroughly appreciated those comments in which he shares quotes and events of this modern era that correlate positively with those in the Book of Mormon. And often the lesson questions invite the student to apply principles in the chapter to his/her own life and current events.
Perhaps the greatest benefit for me was that my own patterns for thinking/pondering scripture changed. Generally, as I read scripture before, I would simply read the words and try to understand the obvious spiritual/doctrinal teachings with the help of the Holy Spirit. This is certainly beneficial and recommended, but I feel as though the author mentored me in a process of deeper understanding through critical/practical thought processes to ask questions of my own which then the Spirit can teach, guide, and confirm with more precision. The simple act of deliberately considering all aspects of the record (physical, setting and geography of events, calculating time and duration, and imagining the physical/emotional reaction of those we read about) has trained me not to pass over words or assume that I fully grasp the spiritual importance of the story immediately. I feel as though I have gained better scripture study skills by using all four volumes, and by virtue of greater understanding, my testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon has deepened.
There are 4 volumes in this series. It is more of a work book and it is exactly what I needed to clarify and pull together the stories of the Book of Mormon. I have reading comprehension problems and so this read along workbook for the Book of Mormon is perfect for me. It adds insight and articles along the way. Because I have worked through one volume, it is exciting to be in Gospel Doctrin class on Sunday and to hear the storied and scriptures that i now know and can follow and understand.
This is a 4 volume set. I found the first 2 volumes at DI when I was in Utah. It is a workbook to help enhance Book of Mormon scholarship. My dad told me it took him a couple of years to get though all of the volumes. I can see how that can be - commentary on two verses took 6 pages! But that is not always the case.
Skousen has a wealth of historical background and scriptural knowledge that I am looking forward to learning more — especially the Isaiah sections!
***I have put this book aside for a while. I was taking me too long to get through the Book of Mormon and while Skousen is very thoughtful, I like having room for my own thoughts. I am keeping it in my study area for reference, but I am not going to go through verse by verse anymore. At least, not for now.
Skousen helps walk you through the Book of Mormon.
The Insight Dr skousen shares with his students from vast years of knowledge of Egyptian, Hebrew, and middle eastern culture that provide what people already know that the Book of Mormon is true.
2nd time reading this book. I learn so much from it each time i read it. for this reading i chose to use it to fufill the folowing prompt: read a book about a road trip Read with Allison 2024 reading challenge.