The Book of Mormon Made Easier, Part 1: 1 Nephi to Words of Mormon

by David J. Ridges

In our busy world we sometimes find our scripture study isn't always productive. The solution is here with The Book of Mormon Made Easier Series - Parts 1, 2 and 3! Along with the complete text of the Book of Mormon, this valuable study guide includes in-the-verse notes and additional insights and commentary. A perfect study companion!

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

440 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

David J. Ridges taught for the Church Educational System for thirty-five years. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Brigham Young University and taught adult religion and Know Your Religion classes for BYU Continuing Education and spoke at BYU Campus Education Week for many years.

Ridges has served as a curriculum writer for Sunday School, seminary, and institute of religion manuals. His callings in the Church include Gospel Doctrine teacher, bishop, stake president, and patriarch. He and his wife, Janette, have served two full-time Church Educational System missions. They are the parents of six children and are enjoying a growing number of grandchildren. They reside in Springville, Utah.

Reviews

[Katie Lorsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the Book of Mormon with this book, I don't think I can ever go back to reading the scriptures without some sort of study guide or reading aid. I have gotten more out of the scriptures in this one reading then I have in a LONG time and cannot wait to finish the rest of the Book of Mormon.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since the onset of depression scripture study has been SO much harder than it was before. I have tried all sorts of different things, but due to the recommendation of a friend, Nicol, I tried this form of study. I LOVE IT! It has made all the difference in the world. I actually look forward to reading and don't feel like it's a chore anymore. After I finish the 3 that go in this series, I'm definitely getting the other sets.

[Kathy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've struggled most of my life to understand the Book of Mormon. Sometimes I would just read to read and finish it. But this book has made it SO much easier to understand and learn from what I'm reading. The more I read, the more I looked forward to reading. And y'all this made the Isaiah chapters in 2 Nephi SO much easier! I'm not going to lie.. I usually skip right over them.. 🤦😂 But I'm glad I didn't this time around. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the Book of Mormon through these books!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful all-in-one. Its format is like no other: The verses of scripture are in here, word-for-word, interspersed with wonderful insights and cross-references. It is the easiest way I have found to study and truly understand what I am reading in the Book of Mormon. I have had much more meaningful scripture study since I found this series! This book is easy to understand, flows well, and teaches much.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. I plan on buying all of his books for the rest of the BofM and for the Old/New Testament, PofGP, D&C . . . his historical and spiritual insights are so interesting. I feel like I'm sitting in a wonderful BYU religion class again. I am so greatful for the way this has enhanced and enlightened my study of the Book of Mormon!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great study guide. It clarifies many of the concepts in the first part of the book of mormon. I've learned so much more than if I would have read without this book.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s really helping me understand parts of the BOM I’ve had a hard time with or explains things in a way I hadn’t thought of before.

[Tess Peatross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the added insights this brought to my study of the Book of Mormon

[BC Sterrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome resource, especially getting through the more difficult Isaiah chapters and Jacob 5. This is my 13th time reading The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and I loved how many new insights, connections and context that this provided. <3

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridges has some nice insights and I appreciate his thoughts. But I am constantly annoyed by the formatting of this book. It would be much, much better if it were re-formatted. It can be confusing at times because Ridges puts his own thoughts right into the middle of the actual scriptural text. It's fine most of the time, but sometimes he takes long tangents and starts quoting other scriptures. Often, I want to skip his commentary unless I have a question, but the formatting makes it difficult to skip the commentary. If Ridges commentary were just in a different color or font or in a different column, it would make it much more accessible for study and research. I would then wholeheartedly recommend this series as a study tool.

My other complaint is that sometimes Ridges sees the need to explain the obvious. I can't fault him too much for that though because other people may enjoy his clarifications.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, a previous CES employee and seminary teacher, attempts to explain the entire Book of Mormon by printing the text and interrupting the reading to make sure the reader understands the history, relationships, doctrine or even definition of words that may be unfamiliar. Like his style and the easieness though takes much longer than the original Book of Mormon, for a study text it is great.

[Danica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked reading the scriptures this way. Many cool insights and it's nice to have the scripture verses printed in the book so you don't have to look back and forth between scriptures and commentary. Some commentary was clearly directed for people unfamiliar with the Book of Mormon or scriptural language, which is good for them but a little much for me. Sometimes I wished for more insights on things. I will continue to use these study guides. Well done!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books by David ridges are absolutley amazing. If you want to understand the scriptures better than you ever have, read his books. We have ALL the series, New Testament, Old Testament, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. These books are wonderful to read with the family, as daily scripture sudy or as a great reference guide.

[Cami · Rating 1 out of 5]

I appreciated all the info that solidifies that the Book of Mormon is a true book from God. I have it a low rating bc I didn't appreciate the author's own opinion, judgments, & conclusions being thrown in every other sentence. It made reading it quite annoying & left little room to receive personal revelation.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight and great additional study guide

This was a great addition to my study of The Book of Mormon. Good insight on most things and made me question some others. I would recommend this to anyone looking for greater understanding of The Book of Mormon. I particularly enjoyed the Isaiah chapters.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have decided that 2 Nephi will always be very hard to get through for me. I really enjoyed his commentary on the other chapters and the little insights but 2 Nephi was still super laborious to get through. The allegory of the olive tree was much easier to understand with his inserts.

[Leila]

Absolutely love this! I feel like I've learned a ton I didn't previously know. And I love that it's all in one book.

[Mary]

This is an outstanding book if you'd like to understand the Book of Mormon better. It has relevant facts and quotes from general authorities.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful read. Wonderful insights!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reference. I felt like I had my own personal institute teacher.

[LMoody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gained many beautiful insights from this book by David Ridges. Here is a sample passage from 2 Nephi 16 (one of the Isaiah chapters). David Ridges explains how the Atonement helps remove Isaiah’s feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness and gives him confidence to do God’s work.
5 Then said I (Isaiah): Wo is unto me! for I am undone (feel completely overwhelmed); because I am a man of unclean lips (I am so imperfect, inadequate!); and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips (none of us mortals is worthy to be in the presence of God); for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts (I am feeling completely overwhelmed because I have just seen the Savior).
Note: Watch the beautiful symbolism now, in verses 6 and 7, as the Atonement is represented and its power to cleanse and heal is taught.
6 Then flew one of the seraphim (symbolic of a being with authority) unto me, having a live coal (symbolic of the Holy Ghost's power to cleanse “by fire”) in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar (symbolic of the Atonement; Christ was sacrificed for us on the “altar” cross);
7 And he laid it upon my mouth (applied the Atonement to me), and said: Lo, this (the Atonement) has touched thy lips (symbolic of his shortcomings, imperfections and feelings of inadequacy); and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged (cleansed; the results of the Atonement; compare with Isaiah 1:18).
Note: Next, watch what the application of the Atonement did to Isaiah's confidence to embark in the service of the Lord. We will use bold for emphasis.
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us (plural deity)? Then I (Isaiah) said: Here am I; send me (the cleansing power of the Atonement gave Isaiah the needed confidence to accept the call).

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting journey!

This is a 5 star book! Bro. Ridges gives valuable insights and many "take aways."
With this book, you can really "study," "ponder," and "gain insights," while reading The Book of Mormon.
We will be blessed, in studying these particular scriptures, as we saw the Spirit, work within our by our Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Thomas S. Monson. At last conference, he instructed each one of us to read The Book of Mormon everyday.

I would recommend this book to all, members and non-members alike.
Now, I'm off to download the next book.
There are 3 books in this series.
Thank you Bro. Ridges!

[Michael Carver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great basic commentary

Bro. Ridges is a very intelligent man and must be close to the spirit. While other Book of Mormon commentaries are somewhat "deeper" (like Brant Gardner's commentary) I recommend Ridges books, particularly the gospel series, for the beginning reader of church commentaries. However, that said, Ridges Commentary on the Book of Revelation and Isaiah are outstanding and convey a deep understand of complicated writings by Isaiah and John, in a clear and simple way. Either way, beginner or advanced gospel student, will benefit personally from this commentary and others by Ridges, accompanied by pondering and personal prayer.

[Verona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved the book of Mormon. But I always wished I had someone nearby that would answer my questions as I read. Brother David Ridges in his introduction to this book lists as one of his purposes "to be a teacher in your hand." I learned more about the book of Mormon than I have in a long time maybe since I was a freshman at BYU when I took a book of Mormon class. I loved the notes inserted right into the scriptural Book of Mormon, explaining right then and there The meaning of that scripture. His documentation was very thorough as well citing manuals from The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints seminary manuals as his sources. His explanations are in every day modern language making it applicable to me and others who are reading and studying Book of Mormon. I loved studying the Book of Mormon this way and can't wait to start the second volume!

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to take your understanding to the next level. I’ve read the Book of Mormon countless times but not until I got my hands on this guide did I really understand it all. I just kind of glazed over big sections like the Isaiah chapters when I didn’t understand before. This time I can honestly say it was presented in such a way that I understood it. There’s still lots more to gain from further reading, do not get me wrong, but this is a great place to start for anyone who comes across deeper concepts and struggles to put the pieces together.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written to help those who read the Book of Mormon better understand it. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ that goes along with the Bible. There are parts of the scriptures that are hard to understand but the author David Ridges helps you figure out what many passages of scripture mean. There is Book of Mormon scripture along with his commentary and with background sources from the Bible, quotes from general authorities and other sources. It was very helpful and I began to understand allegories that had me stumped at times. This is book 2 of 3.

[Anna McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

this has some great insights.

This was an easy way to read through the Book of Mormon with great insights. Some things are stated as fact that are not necessarily conclusive ideas on what the meaning of the words mean or could mean to different people. I think if he tried to explain how everything can be interpreted in different ways it would have been much harder to read, but I suggest adding this to your list but not making it your only BOM commentary.

[Brittany Hodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE. This book has helped me develop a true love for studying the Book of Mormon. I can honestly say that I enjoy studying and learning from the scriptures because this book helps me understand context and symbolism that I would have otherwise passed up. I can not recommend it enough to anyone who has also struggled with enjoying studying and comprehension of the scriptures.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Book of Mormon but still after many times reading it, still struggle at times to better understand things in it as much as I'd like to. This book has helped in my personal studies to gain more insights and understanding and I am so grateful for it. I bought the rest of the series and will continue to read all of them.

[Semi-Academic Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made it easier to understand the language of the 1800's that this old book was written in, the symbolism that one can find througout it, and the practical lessons that the mysteries of the language and the symbolism might otherwise hide from discovery. It was very intersting to me to learn what some very interesting and intriguing people I have met in my life have learned from this work. And, there are some very loving leaders who have been influenced by The Book of Mormon. I will probably have more about that in my review of the actual book.