This is not just a book for Mormons. Dr. Bradshaw draws on a wide range of material from many cultures and eras: Jewish, Christian and Muslim. He shows how to read and understand the stories of a prephilosophical culture, and reveals them as sophisticated insights into the human condition. He takes as his starting point the Genesis material in Mormon tradition, and then sets it in a wider context than many would have thought possible, exploring the human and spiritual state of humanity, the nature of our knowledge about the creation, the nature of revelation itself. He has wise words on the creationism debate. This remarkable book makes an important contribution to understanding not only the material in Genesis, but also the way in which that heritage has been shared among all the Peoples of the Book.

Attempting to match the cosmic scope of the vision of Moses, this wide-ranging and comprehensive commentary brings to the text of the Book of Moses a stimulating collection of scholarship from many disciplines and a wealth of stunning artistic and literary images. The reader will find in this volume much thought-provoking discussion about the doctrines that are central to the Gospel: the Godhead, Creation, the Fall, the Atonement, and the role of the Temple and its teachings in bringing to pass "the immortality and eternal life of man."

In this book, Jeff Bradshaw analyzes LDS scriptures from the perspective of a professional scholar and scientist. The result is a uniquely modern and honest treatment with considerable material that has not appeared before. Of particular interest to me as a scientist is the book's detailed analysis of the creation scriptures in light of modern scientific knowledge. The book is lavishly illustrated with works taken from the world's treasury of religious art. It is highly recommended for anyone who wishes to understand this important aspect of modern Mormonism.

Dr. Bradshaw has succeeded in weaving a most interesting tapestry of comment on the book of Moses, drawing upon ancient and modern sources that form a warp and weft that invite reflection. He shines a light on both bright and dim threads of this important text that, in its own way, draped the Prophet Joseph and his contemporaries.

The Pearl of Great Price provides a greater understanding of astronomy, the stars and the origins of the universe. Bradshaw's commentary is an inspiring work that helps bridge the gap between science and religion. It helps to unlock the great teachings of the inspired prophets who peered into the ancient night skies.

As part of the Pearl of Great Price, the book of Moses is truly a treasure-trove, and Jeff Bradshaw's encyclopedic exploration thereof contains a contagious enthusiasm as it digs, probes, examines, reflects, speculates, and appreciates. The open-minded search for meaning drawing on a variety sources and disciplines is imbued with special respect for the insights from latter-day revelation, making this a resource of rich and unique value for Latter-day Saints.

Bradshaw has drawn from an extensive array of sources, both LDS and non-LDS, in crafting this new and enlightening commentary on the first part of the book of Moses.

... A must read for any serious student of the Pearl of Great Price. I was delighted by the use of fine art in the manuscript and the extensive reference work.

One may not think that the eight chapters of the book of Moses found in our Pearl of Great Price, could generate an 1100 page book of commentary, but Jeffrey M. Bradshaw...has created a masterpiece in his new book In God's Image and Likeness... I have spent considerable time in these many pages and have come away with insights and ah-ha's, glimpses into the meaning and context of Moses' magnificent understanding... I couldn't recommend it more highly.

Turning an eight-chapter book of scripture into a 1,000-plus-page commentary wasn't a seamless process for Jeffrey M. Bradshaw...His commentary comprises about 3,500 sources. It contains 1,101 pages and weighs in at around 8 pounds. The Book of Moses details God's dealings with Adam and Eve, and Bradshaw found relevant sources in not just in Mormon and Christian literature but in Judaism, Islam and all the great world religions. He appealed to the ancient and modern, the scholarly and artistic—everything from Eastern Orthodox scholar Ephrem the Syrian to LDS painter Brian Kershisnik.

The book retails for around $50.00, but I will tell you that its under-valued. It is 1100 pages, on thick luscious paper with countless illustrations... This...commentary...marks a great leap forward for Mormon scriptural studies. Bradshaw thinks deeply about the stories and has compiled many versions and comments from around the world. He puts the Book of Moses in a context that makes it difficult to ignore and impossible to forget. I found myself learning so much, but confirming much of my own thought and study that I found myself wishing I'd written such a book. (A Book I Wish I'd Written, 26 February 2010)

just received Brother Bradshaw's book... It could have easily, and I mean ***EASILY*** have sold for $150. The price of $50. is an absolute BARGAIN..... This is just incredible. It's GORGEOUS MAN! The paper is wonderful, the binding, the illustrations... I am gushing all over myself for the pure JOY of having so much magnificent reading and learning to do! - Heh, I'm gonna call in sick for a few days - LOL!)

The core of the book, around which all the other six sections are shaped, is a 476-page commentary by Bradshaw of Moses chapter 1 through chapter 6 verse 12. The intent here is to provide the reader with both the "plain sense" of the scriptural words as well as their context and relevance to modern audiences...This is accomplished in three parts: the author's commentary; 4,599 footnotes and 320 longer "endnotes" at the end of each of the six chapters of commentary; and 274 pages of detailed discussion ("Excursus") of 55 subjects related to matters raised in the commentary. Following upon and excerpting the work of Hugh Nibley and John M. Lundquist, as well as other scholars, historians, and LDS leaders, the book also illustrates how temple themes are woven into and expand our understanding of the story the Book of Moses tells. This book also offers useful study aids: thirty-two pages of beautiful color plates of artwork related to the stories of the Book of Moses; an extensive bibliography; an appendix with various LDS documents on the origin of man; and a 103-page "Annotated Bibliography of Ancient Texts Related to the Book of Moses and JST Genesis." This bibliography lists and briefly describes ancient Near Eastern, Old Testament, Dead Sea Scrolls, Nag Hammadi, Gnostic, Islamic and other texts—so often cited in scholarly research. But for those not constantly working with these texts, this bibliography will be helpful...It appears to be intended not only as a commentary but a reference book, amalgamating in one place all the current scholarly and prophetic knowledge concerning the Book of Moses and the doctrinal subjects it treats. This is an ambitious project.

One of the things catching my attention as I investigated the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1968 was a slim volume of scripture know as The Book of Moses. I have loved that little book ever since. It contains marvelous teachings, including many found nowhere else in the scriptures...The publisher, Eborn Publishing, should be commended for producing a volume of such high quality. The illustrations are first rate, and the typeface is easy to read, the paper is "magazine quality," and three convenient ribbon markers are included. The organization of the book is interesting...So what does the book either teach us or help us better understand? It is obvious to anyone who has read the Book of Moses, and has attended an endowment session in an LDS temple, that the major theme of the former is a main focus in the latter. Bradshaw, like Hugh Nibley and others before him, instructs us by showing these themes are of ancient origin, and exist far beyond LDS teachings...This work is a major addition to the study of The Pearl of Great Price in general, and "The Book of Moses" in particular. It will occupy a prominent place on my bookshelf, and will be used as constant reference for as many years as I have left.

I am very delighted with the book. I could hardly stop browsing it. I think it should be present in every university library because it brings together so many ideas and concepts, creating interconnections that are plausible, but never thought of before.

WOW! is what you will say. Beautifully published with full color plates and extensive references, even more stunning is the author's clear portrayal of the Creation, the Fall, and Adam and Eve's lives and those of their children striving to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. This comprehensive volume may become one of the most important books in your LDS library.

I just received my copy a few days ago. To be sure, it's not what I expected at the outset. What was I expecting? Certainly not a book that requires a fork-lift in order to bring it into the house. And then when you open the box you discover that it doesn't have one ribbon book mark, or two, but rather THREE interspersed throughout the book. Then there is the quality of the paper. I don't think I'll be highlighting and scribbling notes in this puppy (er... full-grown mastiff); it just seems too good a quality and 'pretty' to do that. The binding and feel sans the dust jacket is exquisite to handle (I take the dust jacket off when I am reading it). All-in-all, I just became excited with the potential this book seems to offer and felt that I had too tell someone about it, hence this review.

Okay, this is definitely a five star rating for the physical product, but what about the content? I have just read every word of the first thirty or so pages and have thus far decided that this very well could become a principal 'course of study' for quite some time. My impression at this point is that Dr. Bradshaw is not going to come across like the all too typical breed of many half-baked Mormon apologists trying to convince you with a type of logic that 2 plus 2 equals 22 so the LDS (Mormon -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) church is God's one and only true religion. From what I have read so far his postulations appear to be tenable and well within the province of reasonableness. He has great style without coming across as being too flamboyant or pedantic with his word choice and phraseology, but just enough to keep my 'educational experience' at a higher level (which in my case is not all that difficult!). He quotes numerous others (both Mormon and non-Mormon) within the main body of the text as well as in the endnotes, but not with pithy little snippets, but rather with enough substance to give you a more complete picture and grasp of these commentaries. All I can say about this aspect of the book is that it is *very* extensive and extremely well referenced. And there are a goodly number of beautifully photographed color plates and other b&w illustrations.

Loving your commentary, even the parts I didn't think I would, confessing I have been one of those Gillum warns about, "having extreme attitude," often limiting myself to LDS scholars and prophets (which you do a wonderful job quoting). Since receiving this book, I have been jumping around and at awe with what you have done: the extensive research, Excurses, comprehensive Endnotes especially helpful, Illustrations most educational and inspiring for an art-history illiterate. Your book is like experiencing libraries and museums all over the world!

I don't normally take the time to write reviews on items that I have purchased, but this is an incredible compilation that I find amazing to have been put together in just 3 years of study. The cover and pages are a lush beginning that the content more than measures up to. This is a real find for those interested in learning more about the Book of Moses and the concepts that are taught there. I have never seen a book of this quality for such a bargain price. I will be referencing this book for years to come.

I am only on page 100 of this book and it is marvelous. Not since Hugh Nibley have I enjoyed a book so much, thank you!