Bookstore Home > Scripture Studies > Old Testament

Isaiah Made Easier

David J. Ridges, Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort, Gospel Studies Series, 2002, 6x9" softbound, 188 pages.

Isaiah's teachings and literary symbolism come alive through this teacher's careful explanations and comments.
Never before has every verse of Isaiah been clarified in such a way and made easy to understand. David J. Ridges has spent 35 years teaching the scriptures and researching the material in this book.

Ridges brings alive Isaiah's symbolism and literary imagery, turning this often misunderstood book of scripture into a gold mine of truth. Hundreds of crisp, clear explanations make Isaiah more readable than ever.
Every chapter of Isaiah in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon is analyzed. Notes within each verse give you instant understanding of Isaiah's words.

This unique format allows you to quickly comprehend Isaiah's cultural environment and mindset, making obscure phrases and names easily understood. The in-the-verse notes can then be written in the margins of your own scriptures for future reference.

Review Excerpts:

"...I feel that with Isaiah Made Easier Mr. Ridges has reached his goals for the beginning student of Isaiah. He shows that with a little work, Isaiah can be understood by most members of the Church. It should be emphasized that this volume is not a commentary per se, but rather a compendium of commentaries. I certainly hope, along with the author, that after gaining the basic understanding of Isaiah's writings provided by Isaiah Made Easier students "with the help of more in-depth and scholarly books on Isaiah . . . might continue to pursue their studies of the words of this great Prophet of God" (p. i). I also agree with him that the "explana-tions and interpretations [found in his book] are not intended to be the final word on Isaiah" (p. i). I hope that students will begin to see many other possibilities for interpretation and application of Isaiah, for his symbolism and messages do indeed lend themselves to multiple interpretations in various settings. I would hasten to repeat that Mr. Ridges has made excellent choices for the sources of the explanatory notes; they all provide a firm foundation on which to build." (Review of 1991 Edition)--Terrence L. Szink, Farms Review of Books, Volume 4, 1992

"Isaiah has always been a challenge for me. When I tried to read it the first time as a new convert, I was so overwhelmed that my teacher suggested I just read it without trying to understand it. While it was good advice for the beginner, I have never really stopped to take sufficient time to decipher this book of scripture. As I read the verses with this book in hand, I finally understood the messages that were presented. Suddenly, Isaiah seemed accessible!" --Terrie Bittner

David J. Ridges has been teaching in the Church Educational System for 30 years and has been associate director and instructor at Orem Institute of Religion adjacent to Utah Valley State College. He has taught for several years at BYU Campus Education Week and Know Your Religion programs. He has also served as a curriculum writer for Sunday School and Seminary manuals.

FAIR is not owned, controlled by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided on this site are the sole responsibility of FAIR, and should not be interpreted as official statements of LDS doctrine, belief or practice.

Last Updated [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Copyright © 2006 by The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research. All Rights Reserved.

You can send comments/suggestions using our contact page.