Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Quick Christian Guide to the Mormon Holy Book

by Ross Anderson and Ross Anderson

Book Overview

Mormons, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, form a growing population in both numbers and influence. Yet few people have more than a passing knowledge of the document that defines and drives this important movement--the Book of Mormon. A former Mormon and an adult convert to Christianity, author Ross Anderson provides a clear summary of the Book of Mormon including its history, teachings, and unique features. Stories...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310283213
• ISBN13: 9780310283218
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

It has opened my eyes about the LDS church.

I have been a member for aost fifty years. I was told things about the church that I did not know when I joined the church.

A Helpful Guide for Understanding Mormon Theology

In this book Ross Anderson gives us a clear, helpful, and straightforward guide to the Book of Mormon. If you want to understand the book that is the centerpiece of the LDS faith and how it influences the lives of Mormons then get this book. Anderson conversationally walks us through the story of the book of Mormon, it's development as told by the LDS church, it's major teachings, and it's relationship to the Bible. Anderson also spends some time examining whether or not the book of Mormon is what it claims to be. In doing this, he is fair, and avoids much of the name-calling and disparaging speech that is often found in books of this nature. You can tell his book has grown out of many years of learning to understand, love, and share Jesus with members of the LDS church. Anderson fills out his book with stories and quotes from LDS family members, giving us a window into how everyday Mormons view their holy books. This book isn't just scholarly conjecture. It reflects the thoughts of our Mormon friends and neighbors. I think this book is especially helpful for those who don't come from a LDS background and feel lost when it comes to understanding what the theology of Mormonism is all about. It certainly will help you talk with LDS friends and lead to more fruitful spiritual discussions. I would just urge those who want to read the book to get "ammunition" against the book of Mormon to be sure to read Anderson's last chapter. All of us who want to see our LDS friends put their faith in Jesus for salvation need to approach this subject with gentleness and respect. We need to listen to the stories of our friends and pray that the Spirit would give us wisdom as we speak. I think Anderson models this sort of thing for us in his book.

Short, sweet, gentle

This book by an ex-mormon gives a short, sweet, and gentle discussion of the "Book of Mormon" and how Mormon's feel about it. Anderson contrasts the "Book of Mormon" to the Bible and to other Mormon standard works. He points out that while the "Book of Mormon" is felt to be inspirational and instructive, it does not contain important Mormon doctrines. For these, you have to turn to the books entitled "Doctrine and Covenants" and "Pearl of Great Price". Anderson cautions that any criticism of the "Book of Mormon" will cause a Mormon to be defensive and they will likely use the "p" word (persecution). Merely to disagree and point out problems definitely does not meet the dictionary definition of persecution, but Anderson urges gentleness and sensitivity. The reader will find useful charts of the content of individual books and a timeline of events in the "Book of Mormon". There is also a chart of where to find important Mormon doctrines in "Doctrine and Covenants".

Mormonism understood

I cannot recommend a better book for anyone who is interested on learning more about Mormonism. I learned and discovered many of my misconceptions that I had and had been established by the media. This caused me to not only better understand but also to love Mormons more. I gave copies to my Bible study group and they loved it and learned a lot as well. My only complaint would be that a price is really high for such a small paperback but it is well worth buying, you will not be disappointed.

Irenic and Helpful Book by an Ex-Mormon

I just finished Ross Anderson's little book Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Quick Christian Guide to the Mormon Holy Book, just published by Zondervan, and find it both helpful and fascinating. The book is short, 116 very small pages, and is written in a conversational style. Anderson, an evangelical pastor in Utah, lays out the contents of the Book of Mormon, compares the doctrinal content with that in other Mormon holy books, and suggests ways for Christians to dialogue with Mormons. The most effective part of this book is its fair, honest look at the Book of Mormon, and its loving, respectful tone toward Mormons. I would word things a bit stronger than the author does in a few places, but his overall tone is a needed balance to some of our bombast when it comes to speaking Christ to our neighbors. Anderson is an ex-Mormon, but he's an ex-Mormon who loves Christ, not an ex-Mormon who is rebelling against his family. It is obvious in the pages of this little book that Anderson loves his Mormon family members and wants other Christians to learn how to speak to folks like them, with grace and truth. Anderson advises his fellow Christians on what Mormons hear when we say certain things to them. He tells us why, for instance, bringing up Joseph Smith's polygamy isn't the best way to get the gospel to Latter-day Saints. This book isn't a comprehensive comparison between Christianity and Mormonism. It's not necessarilly the book to give to someone weighing becoming a Mormon, or to a Mormon contemplating Christ. But it's an excellent resource to give to a church member who is in an ongoing conversation with a Latter-day Saint friend or neighbor.