Description

by Duane S. Crowther

In-depth biographies of the nine major patriarchs from the Bible Book of Genesis

Adam, Enoch, Noah, Jacob—we all know their names, but these men were not just unreachable, early bible prophets. They were real people with real human problems, but they also walked with God. With thousands of years between us, it’s hard to imagine what their lives were like. They Walked with God pairs ancient scriptural accounts with modern revelation to present intimate biographies of these nine Genesis patriarchs that enable you to relate to them in a more familiar way. And, of course, to learn the doctrines they taught. Best-selling author Duane S. Crowther illuminates those doctrines in a clear, easy-to-follow format that will enrich your study of the entire Old Testament.

Biographically, historically, and doctrinally, They Walked with God will give you an increased understanding of the very first doctrines and rich concepts of the book of Genesis in the Bible, the Lord’s Church, and life on this earth, including the keys to returning to God’s presence.

The life stories of Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Melchizedek, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph are amplified beyond the Genesis accounts by adding hundreds of insights from other scriptural sources. Sometimes more information about those key individuals is found in the supplementary revelations than in the Genesis record. For instance, more is known about many aspects of Abraham’s life from the book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price than from Genesis. The Book of Mormon tells more about Melchizedek than Genesis does. The Pearl of Great Price book of Moses tells more about Enoch than is recorded in Genesis. Some passages from Joseph Smith’s inspired translation of the Bible add historical asides and doctrinal gems not available from any other source. This book ties all those sources together to relate as much information about each of the nine Book of Genesis prophets as can be found in the scriptures.

They Walked with God, however, does more than piece together various clues about places, ages, activities, and relationships. Though it uses those clues to form far more detailed biographical accounts than would otherwise be available, its greatest contribution lies in the area of doctrinal analysis. There are profound scriptural passages that give detailed explanations concerning such essential doctrines as

• the Creation,
• the Fall of man,
• the gospel and atoning mission of Jesus Christ,
• the nature of the first principles of the gospel (faith, repentance, baptism, and the reception and mission of the Holy Ghost),
• the nature of God,
• the nature of revelation,
• the nature of salvation,
• the Abrahamic covenant,
• the house of Israel, and
• other doctrinal principles and themes.

When those types of passages occur in the midst of biographical narratives, this book switches from story-telling mode to phrase-by-phrase listings of doctrinal elements. Often, these complex passages contain so many profound concepts, piled one on top of another, that the tendency is to skim right past them, picking up only a concept or two while overlooking a dozen others.

This book slows the pace by labeling each key concept so it won’t be bypassed and forgotten. This valuable technique serves to amplify the doctrinal understanding and comprehension of many readers. Many scriptural passages have been italicized by the author so their messages will be more readily apparent.

While reading this book, the astute reader will look for little pieces of minutia that will amplify his understanding of historical events. He’ll focus on age relationships as they pertain to family situations, look for moves caused by climate changes and geographical situations, consider how much and what kinds of work had to be performed to accomplish specific tasks, and he’ll be conscious of who is prospering and why.

He’ll be alert for priesthood and birthright blessings and connections, and he’ll watch for marriage relationships and family conflicts that change the course of history. This book is full of those kinds of details.

So biographically, historically, and doctrinally—They Walked with God will give you, the reader, an increased understanding of the “beginnings” doctrines in the Bible and of this planet, earth–all found in these In-depth biographies of the nine major patriarchs from the Bible Book of Genesis.