Description: Explores a sacred epic cherished by more than twelve million members of the LDS church as the keystone of their faith, clarifying the religious, political and historical events in the ancient communities of this text and its underlying teachings for today.
Brief description:
Jana Riess earned a PhD in American religious history from Columbia University and a master of divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. She is the religion book review editor for Publishers Weekly. She is also the author of The Spiritual Traveler: Boston and New England and What Would Buffy Do? The Vampire Slayer as Spiritual Guide.
Review Quotes:
"Captures the spirit and gist of the distinctively Mormon scripture at one-tenth its length. Coupled with her informed, discerning and accessible commentary, Riess's editorial accomplishment is an act of interreligious generosity."
-Philip Barlow, ThD, author of Mormons and the Bible: The Place of the Latter-day Saints in American Religion
"The most compelling, fascinating and gracious approach to the Book of Mormon that I have seen. Transforms dozens of cryptic passages and symbols into powerful messages that make the Mormon story shine with the beauties and mysteries of God's love."
-Mary Ford-Grabowsky, editor of Spiritual Writings on Mary: Annotated & Explained
"With her considerable historical and theological knowledge combined with her literary sensibilities, Jana Riess strikes precisely the right balance-an astute and sympathetic guide, not an overzealous proselytizer. Her informed and agile glosses help enormously in bringing the text to life."
-Randall Balmer, PhD, Ann Whitney Olin Professor of American Religion, Barnard College, Columbia University
"At last, a version of the Book of Mormon that is suitable in both size and content for the classroom.... Manages to leave the sense of the whole intact, while commentary provides a simple guide to Latter-day Saint belief. A very useful, even necessary supplement to the study of Mormonism."
-Kathleen Flake, PhD, assistant professor of American religious history, Vanderbilt Divinity School