Reviews

Rosemarie Howard — Val Greenwood’s new edition of “How Often I Would Have Gathered You: Stories from the Old Testament and Related Sources for Latter-day Saints,” is an easy-to-read guide through 229 Old Testament stories. “HOW OFTEN I WOULD HAVE GATHERED YOU: Stories from the Old Testament and Related Sources for Latter-day Saints,” 2nd edition, by Val D. Greenwood, Edenwood Press, $19.95, 378 pages (nf) “How Often I Would Have Gathered You: Stories from the Old Testament and Related Sources for Latter-day Saints,” by Val D. Greenwood, is an easy-to-read guide through 229 Old Testament stories. Arranged chronologically, the stories begin with the pre-Earth council in heaven and conclude with the return of Israel from captivity. Greenwood captures the essence of each story in clear, modern English without sacrificing the sacred nature of the scriptures. “Some books of the Old Testament — notably the literary writings and the books of many of the prophets — are not included within the scope of these stories merely because those books contain no stories,” the author writes in the book’s preface. The stories selected for retelling reflect the theme of the book’s title and illustrate the Lord’s willingness to bless his people when they are obedient and remember to worship him as the only true God, as well as the consequences of disobedience and rebellion. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the author writes from a Mormon point of view, referencing non-Old Testament sources such as the Pearl of Great Price, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the works of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. The book is divided into 12 sections, and includes relevant footnotes instead of endnotes; several helpful maps, a pronunciation guide, bibliography, name index and subject index. This second, enhanced edition of the book, which was first published in 2007, also contains additions, corrections and refinements to the text and footnotes. Although the book’s intended audience is adults, not children, it could certainly be used to assist adults in teaching children about the wonderful Old Testament stories. It is a valuable aid to a better understanding of the meaning and relevant messages of this often neglected book of scripture. Greenwood lives in Riverton with his wife, Patty. He also wrote “The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy,” now in its third edition. His website is at newviewoldtestament.com.   The Old Testament: understand it, love...

Janet Peterson— For the year 2014, the Gospel Doctrine course of study is The Old Testament—perhaps the least noticed and read of the four standard works. Its length and difficulty are sometimes daunting. This coming year gives each of us Church members, whether we attend Gospel Doctrine class or are fulfilling other callings during the Sunday School hour, a wonderful opportunity to delve into, study, discuss, and become better students of the Old Testament. By so doing we can strengthen our testimonies of God the Father; Jesus Christ, who is Jehovah of the Old Testament; prophets; and the covenant children of Israel. While the Old Testament itself is the primary and essential book to read, an in depth study of it can be enhanced by using other sources for additional study to gain a clearer understanding of its complex material, lengthy history, various peoples, kings, and prophets, and its symbolism. A unique and excellent study aid is How Often Would I Have Gathered You: Stories from the Old Testament and Related Sources for Latter-day Saints by Val D. Greenwood.* First published in 2005 [actually 2007], this book is now available as an enhanced edition (2013). How Often Would I Have Gathered You contains the 229 stories of the Old Testament told chronologically, in modern English and in a straightforward, effective style. Stories are great teaching tools because readers or listeners engage in them and therefore remember them. Stories convey principles and knowledge through many layers of meaning. Val stated, “I do not intend for this book to replace or upstage the scriptures in any way. I hope, rather, that these stories will introduce the Old Testament, enhance the scriptural experience, and help you gain greater appreciation for the Old Testament canon itself. The best approach, I believe, is to use these stories and the Bible together.” This extensive collection of stories, all of which are true to the King James Version of the Bible, does not contain embellishments or lessons and morals drawn from them. Arranged chronologically, the book begins with the Grand Council in Heaven (from modern scriptures), the Creation, the Fall, and the early patriarchs. It continues through the sagas of Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Joseph; Moses and the escape from Egypt; getting to Canaan through the wilderness; the reign of the Judges David and Solomon; the two kingdoms of Israel; and Judah’s captivity. The final section retells the stories of the Jews’ return from captivity and the rebuilding of the temple and of Jerusalem. While most readers know a number of the stories, many will find stories with which they had little familiarity and not much understanding. Val’s skillful rendering of them will provide clarity, historical perspective, and preparation to study particular chapters and verses. This book, however, offers more than stories. Foremost, it is written from an LDS point of view. Included are: Footnotes, rather than endnotes, containing insights and background to the stories and cross-references between related stories. Pronunciation guide. Name index. Subject index. Chart of the kings of Judah and Israel during the divided monarchy. Maps and illustrations. Bibliography. How Often Would I Have Gathered You will aid the serious student of the Old Testament; the Gospel Doctrine class member wanting to stay current with weekly lessons; teachers in helping their students understand the who, where, and when of the numerous Old Testament peoples; parents in preparing family home evening lessons; and anyone desiring to better appreciate and comprehend this portion of the Bible. Additionally, Val’s website www.NewViewOldTestament.com provides a variety of articles and materials on the Old Testament. How Often Would I Have Gathered You: Stories from the Old Testament and Related Sources for Latter-day Saints is available at Deseret Book, Utah Costco stores, BYU Bookstore, all LDS bookstores, BrighamDistributing.com, Amazon.com, and www.newviewoldtestament.com. *A lifelong student of the scriptures, Val Greenwood has taught institute and religion classes for years and has served as a CES missionary in Santa Barbara, California, and New York City. He earned a B.S degree in journalism (BYU) and a Juris Doctor degree (University of Idaho). Val’s Church employment includes faculty member of Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho), researcher and writer in the Genealogical Department (now Family History Department), and Director of Special Services and Temple Facilities in the Temple Department. His book, The Researcher’s Guide of American Genealogy, is considered the standard in the field.   The Old Testament: understand it, love...

Reviewed by Tabb Clements– …. In looking over the various study aids to assist students during this year’s study of the Old Testament, I can use one hand to count the new items available and even then I would NOT need to use all the fingers on that one hand!  “How Often Would I Have Gathered You: Stories from the Old Testament and Related Sources For Latter-day Saints–Enhanced 2nd Edition” is a welcomed addition to this list!   Author Val D. Greenwood has taken his 2007 edition and has made several changes.  In the “Preface to the Enhanced 2nd Edition”, he notes “Most things have not changed. There are still 229 stories–the very same stories as before–but some are a little different and some even a bit longer to include other important events–and, I hope, more correct.  I do not believe any story is more than a few words shorter than it was before.  Nor are there any stories that have not had some changes.  In some I merely eliminated an unessential word or two or said something in a simpler way.  Others have significant additions and/or corrections.  As a result, I believe that this book is significantly better than the first edition and closer to the perfection I originally sought” (vii).   It is easy to get overwhelmed in studying the Old Testament. The author has purposefully created this book with stories that are “quite short”.   He has also worked at “eliminating redundancy, cumbersome (and sometimes sordid) details, and awkward wording” (vii-viii). For those not familiar with the first edition, this book is written in modern English.   All stories are based on the King James Version and are arranged in chronological order.  This work also contains a pronunciation guide, maps, TWO indexes (a name index and a subject index), and modern equivalents are given for all references to weights and measures. In addition, the 229 stories have extensive footnotes and, for ease of study/review, those footnotes are located on the bottom of each page.  The book is further divided into twelve sections from “Section I: Council, the Creation, the Fall, and the Early Patriarchs” to “Section XII: The Captivity of Judah, the Return, and Beyond”.   Section IX begins with “The Kings of Israel and Judah” chart.  Columns in the chart help to clarify the approximate calendar year, as well as length of time served.  Also, the specific scriptural references associated with each king and the specific story number (of the 229 stories in the book) is also listed.   “How Often Would I Have Gathered You: Stories from the Old Testament and Related Sources For Latter-day Saints–Enhanced 2nd Edition” utilizes texts from the New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, to help clarify sections of the Old Testament being presented.  Greenwood also takes full advantage of the Study Aids found in the LDS version of the scriptures.  The author even shares a website (www.newViewOldTestament.com) where additional articles can be obtained.   The stated goal of the author is that “I do not intend for this book to replace or upstage the scriptures in any way. I hope, rather, that these stories will introduce the Old Testament, enhance the scriptural experience, and help you gain greater appreciation for the Old Testament canon itself” (ix).   Val Greenwood further states that “the best approach, I believe, is to use these stories and the Bible together” (ix).  I would go so far as to add that Greenwood’s book would best be used a primer, as it were.  Read the corresponding section from  “How Often Would I Have Gathered You: Stories from the Old Testament and Related Sources For Latter-day Saints–Enhanced 2nd Edition” first and then read directly from the King James Version.  By having a familiarity established and the basics understood, then the passages from the KJV would be more meaningful.   In the 1986 Sperry Symposium “The Old Testament and the Latter-day Saints”, George A. Horton, then Chairman and Associate Professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University, stated “The Old Testament is the root system from which the other scriptures grow and flower.  It contains a record of our beginnings–our genealogical roots.  It provides a powerful witness of creation, our creator–the basis for our faith, the fall of man, the need for an atonement, the establishment of the Abrahamic covenant, the divine destiny of Israel, and numerous experiences pointing out the rewards of righteous living and the results of wrong-doing.  The rest of the Standard Works have meaning and receive strength from these deep roots” (p. 32-33).   Author Val D. Greenwood has organized a solid set of resources...

Val Greenwood’s How Often Would I Have Gathered You captures the essence of these wonderful Old Testament messages. His easy style brings the Old Testament to life without embellishing the stories and without fictionalizing the message. . . [The] stories are clear, cogent, and true to their sources.   The Old Testament: understand it, love it!

Dennis Lythgoe — The author has carefully gathered stories from the Old Testament that share the familiar theme of the title—then he has summarized those stories so that they can be quickly called to mind.   The Old Testament: understand it, love it!

Richard Cracroft — In How Often Would I Have Gathered You: Stories from the Old Testament and Related Sources for Latter-day Saints (Edenwood Press; 380 pp.; $29.95), Val D. Greenwood (BS ’62) tells familiar Bible stories masterfully in a simple, straightforward style free of fictionalizing and embellishment and consistent with the Latter-day Saint perspective. Basing the stories on the King James Version, but with modernized language, he arranges them in chronological sequence, beginning with the Grand Council in Heaven (drawn from the Pearl of Great Price) and continuing through the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity and the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem. Greenwood included rich and carefully researched footnotes applying LDS scripture and the Joseph Smith Translation, as well as maps, a pronunciation guide, a chart of the kings, and a bibliography. Although these stories do not replace the scripture, they are exciting and clarifying retellings that bring new life to a scripture often weighed down by confusing language.   The Old Testament: understand it, love...