Title: Your Study of the Pearl of Great Price Made Easier

Author: David J. Ridges

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.

Genre: Non-fiction

Year Published: 2009

Number of Pages: 256

Binding: Trade paperback

ISBN10: n/a

ISBN13: 978-1-59955-344-3

Price: $18.99

Reviewed by Jeffrey Needle

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Two observations need to be made here:

First, Brother Ridges has been very busy, indeed. I count 18 volumes penned by Ridges, most of them in the “Made Easier” series. Since the bulk of each book is simply quoting scripture, it may seem a bit less arduous than penning altogether original material. But he does his homework, and this, it seems to me, is a labor of love on his part.

Second, it is to be noted that previous volumes penned by the author have received lukewarm reviews from a variety of good people. In particular, his “Mormon Beliefs and Doctrines Made Easier” was criticized for not being complete enough, for omitting information that should have been included in the volume.

I’ve come to this current entry into the “Made Easier” series with an open mind. I hope the review is fair and balanced (to coin a phrase).

The Pearl of Great Price, as every Mormon knows, is a bit of a montage of writings from the pen of Joseph Smith that were thought to be instructive and helpful to the Saints living in Great Britain. The English Saints had limited access to the publications being issued in the U.S. The Pearl of Great Price looked a bit different at first than it does today. The contents have been adjusted, a poem was removed, etc.

In the end, it was thought that the Saints in the U.S. would likewise benefit from its counsel, and it was finally canonized in General Conference.

Some of the writings, such as Joseph Smith – History, are fairly straightforward. Not much comment is needed to grasp the ideas. But such works as the Book of Moses just cry out for elucidation and explanation.

Certainly volumes have been written on the Pearl of Great Price. Some have been quite lengthy and scholarly. It is Ridges’ intention to offer the student a much simplified, and abridged, commentary of the Pearl of Great Price. It is thought that such an approach would benefit readers and students who might otherwise not tackle the larger, more complex commentaries.

In fact, about half of this volume centers on the Book of Moses. Ridges understands its complexity, and guides the reader through the book, verse by verse, offering comments and, at times, re-stating the verse, intermingling his commentary in the text of the verse itself. He is fond of inserting comments from past prophets and from living General Authorities. These are generally helpful and can point students to an understanding of the text that might otherwise not occur to them.

Ridges is generous in his interpretations and discussions.  He understands that students reading the Scriptures often desire guidance from someone who has studied them for many years and has taught them in a Church setting.  There is a comfort level in Ridges’ comments that will please many readers.

His tone is always conversational, never academic. The intention is to let the reader think he or she is sitting in a classroom with Bro.

Ridges, listening to him teach the Pearl of Great Price, interspersing his comments and thoughts, along with those of General Authorities. The result can be quite affecting, really charming at times.  I wonder how different it would all sound if I were able to sit in on his classes and have a chance to ask questions and challenge some of his interpretations.

If you’re looking for an in-depth study of the Pearl of Great Price, if you’re wanting to see new ground broken or amazing new insights shared, this may not be the book for you.  But for many readers, the desire is more for a fluid, authoritative understanding of this difficult scripture.  Rather than a detailed, scholarly treatment, they want something that is easily accessed and digested.  Ridges’ book fits the bill quite nicely.

Take a look at  “Your Study of the Pearl of Great Price Made Easier.”

You may find it a helpful read, especially if you’re just beginning your journey through the scriptures.

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Jeffrey Needle

Association for Mormon Letters

jeff.needle@gmail.com

www.aml-online.org

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