This book is a valuable guide to enjoying and comprehending the ancient American scriptures. It is a simplified reading program, a useful summary, a doctrinal analysis and an in-depth topical guide to the Book of Mormon.
Carefully designed to increase reader understanding, the book is especially helpful for investigators, new members, young students, and those reading the Book of Mormon for the first time. Teachers of courses on the Book of Mormon will easily recognize its value also.
In [Part I, The Reading Guide, ] the Book of Mormon is divided into twelve portions of from 40 to 50 pages. Each portion contains a simple story outline that indicates the major historical events which transpire. Then, chapters of special interest are listed, and passages of doctrinal importance are summarized into concise units. These summaries help the reader to follow the major messages on a verse-by-verse basis. Difficult passages, such as the chapters quoted from the writings of Isaiah, are examined and given special explanations in their historical context.
[Part II] is a useful Doctrinal Guide to the hundreds of important teachings found in the Book of Mormon. Passages are listed under related headings, with the Table of Contents serving as a simple index. This doctrinal analysis is the most comprehensive list of Book of Mormon themes in print and should prove invaluable to every Book of Mormon student.
[Part III] contains Charts and Special Helps which will aid in understanding the Book of Mormon. They tell in a simple form of the various groups that migrated to the Americas, of the plates upon which the records were kept, and of how God protected the writings to come forth in the last days. The basic elements of Book of Mormon geography are discussed, and the authors and keepers of the sacred records are listed.
[How to Understand the Book of Mormon] is a vital study tool that will serve as a lifetime reference to those who love the Book of Mormon.
Duane S. Crowther is a well-known theologian, lecturer and LDS author with a broad background of education and experience. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in music education, holds a Master of Arts degree from BYU in Old and New Testament, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and has completed course work for a PhD in music education at the University of Utah.
A prolific author who seeks to serve others through his writing, Brother Crowther is the author of twenty-five books on various religious and general topics. He also has produced more than thirty cassette tapes on theological and business-oriented themes.
Elder Crowther has had extensive Church experience, including the filling of three missions. He has also been a Stake Mission President and Senior President of Seventies, a Sunday School Superintendent, and MIA Superintendent, an Elders Quorum President, a member of several stake boards, a director of stake and ward choirs, and has filled many callings as a teacher and teacher-trainer, including many years of service as a Gospel Doctrine class instructor. He is a Master M-Man and an Eagle Scout. He served as a baptizer in the Lake Temple for almost a decade and as a tour host on Temple Square.
In his professional life, Brother Crowther has been an instructor and principal with the LDS seminary system and has taught music in the Utah public schools. He has taught college courses for several Utah universities and has lectured extensively for LDS youth groups, education weeks, and business seminars. He has written monthly columns for trade magazines on business topics. He is president and senior editor of Horizon Publishers & Distributors, Inc., a Utah-based printing, publishing and manufacturing firm.
Elder Crowther has written and produced four patriotic pageants for the stakes and regions in his area. Two of these, produced in conjunction with KSL and KBYU television stations, received national awards from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.
He is married to the former Jean Decker, who is also an author and musician. They are the parents of eight children and presently reside in Bountiful, Utah.
