Reader Comments About The Book And Its Stories
Comments by professional Latter-day Saint educators
“Val Greenwood has done a wonderful service for the Latter-day Saint people. He has provided an incredible tool for a better understanding of the Old Testament. The stories, told from the Latter-day Saint point of view, are true to the scriptures and are without ornamentation, embellishment, or fictionalization. How Often Would I Have Gathered You will surely become an indispensable and timeless addition to the library of every LDS family.”
—Thomas Chapman (Religion Instructor, BYU-Idaho)
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“The Old Testament is a challenge for most students of the scriptures. The insights they will get from Val Greenwood’s book will help the stories of the Old Testament come alive. I highly recommend it!”
—Robert K. McIntosh (Latter-day Saint institute director and author of How Do You Know When You’re Really In Love?)
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“Val [Greenwood] puts it all in historical perspective, and gives magnificent insights into the stories. I feel this book is going to be a great treasure for those who want to know more about the Old Testament. And that’s all of us–both the teachers and the learners.
“As I read many the stories I found myself thinking, ‘Oh yes! Now I remember how that goes.’ It was quite a revelation to me to read the stories again and fix them in my mind. But more than that, Val goes into some stories that I’ve really never understood and makes them perfectly clear. I know, at least in part, something of each of these stories, but Val gives me the rest of the story.
“I have known, respected, and loved Val for many years. His mind and heart have made him a valuable resource to family history and temple work. His book on family history research in the United States is a classic. Now, with this book, he has written an equally meaningful book on another vital subject. Thanks, Val Greenwood.”
—George D. Durrant (Latter-day Saint author and educator)
What other readers are saying:
“I am truly enjoying your help in understanding the difficult-to-understand. Now, I am almost beginning to believe that we can wade through the ‘dreaded’ Isaiah section. Thank you for your tremendous gift.”
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“I am really enjoying your book. Thanks also for how to use your website; I will pull it up often.
Thanks for writing your book
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I love it so much, and I am learning to love the Old Testament much more.
“Thanks for all your help and hard work.”
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“I am thoroughly enjoying your book and have recommended it to several friends already and am taking it to the Gospel Doctrine class I will teach on Sunday. Your book will definitely be on my list for future gifts.”
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“I am really loving your books. Keep up the good work!”
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“I am an early morning seminary teacher in the Chicago area. I want you to know how much I appreciate your book “How Often Would I Have Gathered You” as I try to simplify these stories for the high school students. Today we did a readers theater on Rahab using Chapter 72. Thanks for this treasure.”
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“My husband and I have thoroughly enjoyed your book, ‘How Often Would I have Gathered You.’ It has made the Old Testament come alive for us, and I especially appreciate the scholarly footnotes, as well as the historical perspectives and time lines. Congratulations on your fine research and scholarship!”
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“[My husband] and I are really enjoying reading your book, How Often Would I Have Gathered You. It is absolutely wonderful! Every home should have a copy. It is so easy to read and understand… You have written so very well. Thank you for publishing such a wonderful book.”
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“I am so impressed with your book. I would like to purchase a book for each of my children. What a wonderful resource for understanding the Old Testament. I hope you have plans to write more books.”
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“We are really enjoying your book and appreciate all your hard work. I want all my children to have copies and am also sharing with friends.”
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“I love the Old Testament book! My mom got me a signed copy. It has helped me a ton teaching Seminary.”
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“I… like the easy-to-understand language your book is written in.”
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“You have done a wonderful job.”
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“I have not finished the book but find the beginning chapters to be an interesting read. I appreciate the clear explanations and logic.”
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“The way you have compiled the stories makes it so much easier to read and understand. The book is a real gem for those finding it difficult reading the Old Testament.”
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“Thanks for writing “How Often Would I Have Gathered You.” I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed that it was so easy to read and the references were great.
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“_____ gave me a copy signed by you. I am his Home Teacher and enjoy visiting with him. I shared a couple of stories with our HP Quorum and they were impressed with the story of Moses, when he struck the rock instead of speaking to it as he was commanded and Jehovah said that because you sought to take the glory to yourself …, you shall not bring the people into the promised land, and He also told him that Aaron would not be allowed to enter either. Most did not remember this story and it was an enlightenment to them and me.
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“Again, thanks so much and let me know if you plan to write another, for I know I would enjoy it also. Not only enjoyable reading but spiritually edifying also.”
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“I have started reading it and it is great. So easy to read.”
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“I’ve started to read through your book–“How Often Would I Have Gathered You”–and it’s so good! I honestly didn’t know whether or not I would enjoy it, but I can truly say it’s brought the Old Testament to light for me in a way that no teacher or manual ever has. I can’t wait to read it every night!
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“Thank you… for the tremendous amount of work that has obviously gone into this book. I really appreciate it.”
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“I am so impressed with Val’s book. The stories are great. They help me to understand and give ‘clarity’ as George Durrant says. Well done, Val.”
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“I substituted in [my daughter’s] seminary class this morning and used your book!! I had three boys act out Jacob’s blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh as I read your captivating prose!! Very fun.”
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“We are so enjoying studying the Old Testament with your book.”
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“Fabulous book–my uncle, Cleon Skousen, would have loved it!”
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“So far very interesting and nicely done.
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“I received the two books ‘How Often Would I Have Gathered You’ and am enjoying it a lot. One is for a dear friend of mine as a Christmas gift. Can hardly wait to give it to her. Thank You so much. I know I will be able to understand and enjoy reading the Bible more now.”
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“I loved your Old Testament book. I used it all the time last year teaching seminary.”
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” [I] thought I would let you know that I’ve received your book, and am loving it… Thank you so much for the time and effort you’ve put into it.”
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“I LOVE your book! This year I decided was the year for me to “get” the Old Testament. I ran across your book at exactly the right time. I’m usually in Primary as that is my first love so I most often need to go looking for my own teachings. Your book is clear, concise, very interesting and the layout makes it easy to find what I need. And I finally am learning the chronology!
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“For the first time in my life I am excited to study the Old Testament!
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“Thank you so much for the immense research and study you have done and for sharing it with us.”
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“I am enjoying the stories. Loved the ones on Abraham, as my Patriarchial Blessing tells me to study Abraham. Thanks to you, it’s been made easier.”
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“We have already read some of the stories and have appreciated the manner in which you wrote them. We have already gained new insights and new perspectives. Thank you so much for writing this valuable book.”
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“I am truly enjoying your book. Thank you so much for all you did to provide such a wonderful addition to my gospel library.”
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“Thanks, Brother Greenwood. I have finished your book ‘How often would I have gathered”. I could not put it down. I found it to be a very interesting book. I retired in May of 2009 and had plenty of time to read the book. I have told several people at our L.D.S. church about your book and passed it on to the Bishop’s secretary. I’m in the Bishopric in the ___________ Ward of the ____________ Stake. And I have been a faithful member since 1975…
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“I plan on passing your book on to our Gospel Doctrine Teacher when the secretary gets finished with your book.”
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” Thank you so much. I have been delighted with what I have read. I am really looking forward to this year’s study and I know this book will be a tremendous help. I plan to show it to our Gospel Doctrine teacher Sunday.”
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“My brother-in-law is a convert [to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] and was recently called to teach the 14 year-old Sunday School. He has loved your book and it’s greatly helping him to understand the stories and to better teach the class. So, I wanted to thank you for writing such a helpful book. Keep up the good work!”
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“I have finished reading your book “How Often Would I Have Gathered You.” I have always loved the Old Testament with its many stories. In my judgment I find this book, with its many footnotes, to be an excellent companion to the study of the Old Testament. I have learned that there are many stories in the Old Testament that I have just skipped over. I can only imagine the many hours of research, writing, editing and rewriting involved. Thank you, it is a welcome addition to our library.”
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” Your book is truly FANTASTIC! I’ve been teaching the OLD TESTAMENT this year to 16-17 year-olds and I check your book each time I give a lesson. Thanks again for taking the time to prepare such a wonderful reference.”
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