With the publication of this volume, Deseret Book completes a series that includes commentaries on the Book of Mormon, the New Testament, and Church History (covering the Doctrine and Covenants). I have seen only this Old Testament entry in the series, but if it is any indication of the quality and scope of the others, these may set a standard for scripture study for the general audience.

While not every chapter of the Old Testament is studied, representative portions of most books are presented, along with helpful annotations and gorgeous full-page, full-color illustrations. Where the text of the Bible is not included, a summary of its content is offered. And where the text itself is studied, a comprehensive introduction to the book is provided to help guide the reader.

The notes are divided into several categories: "Word Help" (clarifying the meanings of obscure Old Testament words); "More Light" (further insight from Restoration scriptures or modern prophets; "A Closer Look" (more information drawn from the historical and cultural contexts of the verse); and "Ponder This" (thought questions to stimulate discussion).

In perusing the book, I failed to find a single page that didn't include copious notes. And the notes are not trivial; some address questions that may arise while reading the text, others fill in the blanks where readers may not even realize there's a blank. Furthermore, the frequent links to Restoration scriptures provide a sense of continuity with the rest of the canon.

Each book of the Bible is introduced with a concise summary of its contents. Several maps and a brief glossary complete the volume.

Students looking for in-depth, technical explanations of the Old Testament text will be disappointed. The purpose, rather, seems to be to draw the reader in to a study of the Hebrew Bible with clear, understandable explanations of concepts, laid out in an inviting manner, utilizing not just scholarship but visual beauty to enhance the study experience.

As implied in the title, this series is intended for family study. And, I must say, if the material itself doesn't grab the attention of the children, the illustrations will. Great care was taken in selecting just the right art work to supplement the accompanying text. The whole volume is a delight to the eyes.

But the physical beauty of the book does not overshadow its use, not just as a reference for individual study, but also as a starting point for family and group discussions. The "Ponder This" questions are often quite good, opening the way for a lively conversation about the scripture text.

One cannot overstate the importance of scripture study. The need to study the Word of God is a frequent theme of prophets and teachers. And it may be that the Old Testament is the least understood work of scripture in Mormonism. The events and the people seem so distant from us. When we study the Old Testament with the help of books like this, however, we can succeed in making its message come alive in our minds and our hearts.

I look forward to seeing the other three volumes in the series. This is a very pleasing effort by Deseret Book, demonstrating a commitment to providing accessible study resources for students of the scriptures.

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Jeff Needle
December 12, 2005