Cedar Fort has two books that will assist students in their pursuit of knowledge and that will help teachers add insight to their lessons. David J. Ridges has prepared a gospel study guide on Isaiah, and George W. Givens shares 500 interesting tidbits from church history.
Author: David J. Ridges
Volume 1: Gospel Studies Series
Book: Isaiah Made Easier (In the Bible and Book of Mormon)
Publisher: Cedar Fort
2002
David J. Ridges, an employee of the Church Education System for 35 years, an instructor and associate director at Orem Institute of Religion, and an instructor for BYU Campus Education Week and Know Your religion Programs, is well qualified to help untangle the confusion often found in Isaiah. He has also been a curriculum writer for Sunday School and Seminary manuals and currently serves as a stake patriarch. Brother Ridges has created a unique guide to this often puzzling book of scripture. He analyzes each verse, placing his notes in parentheses within the verse itself. These notes are taken from his own scriptures. The notes can easily be transferred to your own scriptures for future reference. He often includes a note at the start of the chapter to help us understand what we are about to read.
For example, Isaiah 1:5 is demonstrated as follows in the book:
"5. Why should ye be stricken any more (why do you keep asking for more punishment)? Ye will revolt more and more; the whole head (leadership) is sick, and the whole heart (the people) faint(is diseased)."
As you can see, the actual text is given, with Brother Ridges' comments in parentheses. These comments make it easier to comprehend the complex meanings of the imagery used. Brother Ridges cautions us to use this as a starting place, not as the final word.
Isaiah has always been a challenge for me. When I tried to read it the first time as a new convert, I was so overwhelmed that my teacher suggested I just read it without trying to understand it. While it was good advice for the beginner, I have never really stopped to take sufficient time to decipher this book of scripture. As I read the verses with this book in hand, I finally understood the messages that were presented. Suddenly, Isaiah seemed accessible!
Book: 500 Little-Known Facts in Mormon History
Author: George W. Givens
Publisher: Bonneville Books
Year: 2002
George W. Givens, who has written a number of books on Nauvoo and Palmyra, has gathered an entertaining and enlightening collection of facts from our church's history. Moving beyond the stories commonly told from our unique past, Brother Givens has unearthed Abraham Lincoln's plan for dealing with Mormons, Charles Dickens' opinion of church members, an 1863 LDS musical group that was larger and more popular than the Tabernacle Choir was at the same time, and learn why taking the Sabbath Day off got pioneers to Utah faster than traveling all seven days.
Do you know which General Relief Society president insisted she would die if released-and did just moments later? Do you know which LDS woman was the first female state senator in the United States-and won while running against her own husband? What proposed congressional act would have abolished the right of the church to make rules in relation to fellowship in the LDS church? The first law allowing women to vote was passed in Wyoming, but the first election to feature women was not held there. Which LDS woman was the first woman in the United States to actually vote? What law later took that right from LDS women?
These and other fascinating moments in church history add an unexpected touch to seminary classes on church history, liven up a quiet afternoon of reading, and send the serious student off to learn more!
Isaiah Made Easier In The Bible & The Book of Mormon
500 Little Known Facts in Mormon History
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