The Enhanced Old Testament

by Kevan Kingsley Clawson

The Enhanced Old Testament is not a commentary of the Old Testament! Instead, the author has gathered together excerpts from ancient manuscripts detailing stories, legends, and little known facts about the people, places and events of the Old Testament.

For example, did you know…

The sacred garments given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden were not lost, but were passed down--all the way to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

The book written by Adam, containing the history of the world and the genealogy of his children was in the possession of Abraham, Moses, and Solomon?

There has been more than one world-wide catastrophe, like the flood of Noah, where the entire world was destroyed? And there is one more coming...

Mount Sinai was an active volcano at the time of Moses?

The many miracles that occurred when Israel departed Egypt were experienced by the entire world?

How the miraculous Urim and Thummin, that was placed upon the chest of the High Priest, actually worked?

King Solomon had a magnificent mechanical throne that only he could climb without being killed?

These and many, many more interesting facts about the people, places and events of the Old Testament are revealed in this book! It contains excerpts from: ancient manuscripts found after the Old Testament was compiled like the Dead Sea Scrolls, historians like Josephus and Philo, and ancient Jewish stories and legends.

This book is designed to enhance your study of the Old Testament by providing additional information about these ancient people, places, and events that are guaranteed to surprise and delight the reader.

336 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and lived in the Cottonwood area. My first brush with writing was in the fifth grade, where I received unusual attention for poems I had written and a reading I did in class. That experience prompted me to continue to write.

In High School I had another teacher that singled me out for attention due to my writing, and encouraged me further.

Over the years I continued to write, as a hobby and, I'm sure, for cathartic reasons. While serving a full-time mission for the Mormon Church I began to do some religious writing--sending them to my Mission President, Elder Hugh Pinnock, for his perusal and criticism.

After my mission, and over the years, I would continue to send Elder Pinnock my essays and writings. He began to encourage me to write a book; especially encouraging me to write on the the Atonement, a subject for which he felt I had a unique insight.

In 2000 I was laid-up for several months by back surgery, and I decided that I should take the time to finally write a book. During that time I ended up writing three books: The Atonement, The Second Coming, and Obtaining Your Calling and Election (much of the work for the books had already been done as a result of my previous writings over the years; I just had to put them into book form).

The Calling and Election book was a joint project for my wife, Terri, and I. We had discussed and researched the subject for many years--all due to a reference to the subject I found in an old journal entry of my great-grandfather, David Edwards. He had received his calling and election from the hands of the Prophet, and noted it in his journal. There was little said about the event, just that it had happened. Our interest was piqued, and years later we felt we had gained enough information on the subject to write about it. At the time, and to our knowledge, it was the only book on the subject that had been written.

Unfortunately, Elder Pinnock died before my first book was published. As a tribute to my friend and mentor, Elder Pinnock, I wrote the book 'Becoming a Great Missionary'; which was a compilation of the teachings of Elder Pinnock on the subject of missionary work. His wife, Anne Pinnock, helped edit the book, and wrote the forward to the book.

Now I feel as though am well seasoned in writing and publishing books, and intend to continue to write as long as there is interest.

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of many sources that the author has pulled together, following Biblical people, events, and natural catastrophes. Even though this was my first time to read a book (other than the Bible) about these ancient people and events, it was laid out in such a fashion that I found it easy to follow. The ancient manuscripts, facts, and legends brought a whole new dimension to people and places I have learned about since childhood; a richness that was not there before. I now have a better frame of reference in a historical sense of what other ancient civilizations recorded and experienced. The scientists’ views were interesting and the legends gave it all flavor. If you want the ancient characters and their experiences to become 3 dimensional, I recommend doing background reading about the Bible, and this book is a great place to start.

[Anna]

I won this book as a "First - Read." I haven't finished the book, but what I've read from this collection of materials meant to supplement the Old Testament is very interesting. It is causing me to want to track down the original sources the author of this book used so that I can read them myself. If you don't have that time, energy or interest, check out this book!

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Proper Disclosure: I got this book through the goodreads first reads contest.

I find this book difficult to follow, it is disjoint and incomplete. It does add some good background to the Old Testament, but the background sometimes doesn't seem to "Enhance" the text.

[Susie Spizzirro · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE ENHANCED OLD TESTAMENT BY; KEVAN KINGSLEY CLAWSON..... I have enjoy this book. It's a book you can lay down, pick up later, begin again on any page still understand and enjoy. Easy to read & understand. I recommend highly.

[Dee]

I won this book as a Goodreads First Read.