The Lost Language of Symbolism – Alonzo L. Gaskill – 4 Stars

The Lost Language of Symbolism – Alonzo L. Gaskill – 4 Stars

Title: The Lost Language of Symbolism: An Essential Guide for Recognizing and Interpreting Symbols of the Gospel

Author: Alonzo L. Gaskill

Publisher: Deseret Book

Year: Hardcover 2003 – Paperback 2012

 

Rating:   4 STARS

Price and Purchasing Options: The only way currently to guarantee getting this book is through Deseret Books retail channels; although they do have it through Amazon but it will rarely be discounted.  The hardcover has been out of print for a few years, but for the softcover edition you will pay $24.99 retail.  This was popular enough and in rotation that you may find it at a second hand store like Deseret Industries for cheaper, or even on eBay (here).

 

Review:  I love this book; and I truly do believe that if you are interested in symbolism within the scriptures this is “An Essential Guide for Recognizing and Interpreting Symbols of the Gospel.”  There is a big IF there, because in all honesty, there are people who just are not interested, and that’s okay.

For those of us who are interested in it – this is a necessity!

I was lucky enough to study gospel symbolism for a few years from some great teachers, and throughout that experience I got a large breadth of knowledge and insight as to what to see, learn, and decipher from the scriptures. 

Yet, when I saw this book was published, I didn’t have much hope for it because normally these types of books are just coffee table books, which just skims the subject of the topic – and makes people feel good that they read a book on symbolism.  But when I picked up the book, and started reading it – it truly was a guide.

I found it to be a handbook of symbolism, covering nearly every single topic I have ever learned.  The book masterfully addressed the various forms of symbolism throughout the scriptures, giving attention to each one, but not too much detail to lose the passive reader.  It straddled that line perfectly enough that I can easily recommend this book to the novice in the gospel to use as a reference, or the skilled gospel reader to buff up on their symbolic skills.

The book covers everything from the straight forward: the symbolism of colors, numbers, clothing, and rituals.  Yet he also covers the power and symbolism within literary structure as well – giving each student the ability to see the depth within the writings of the prophets and open their minds to the larger picture.

I have a passion for this book, and it is easily the first book I go to when someone asked for a book about symbolism.

I highly recommend this book – and I give it 4 Stars.  I would give it five, but understanding that symbolism isn’t something that I think is 100% necessary for everyone to understand – and for that reason I kept it where it is.

Suggestions:  I would recommend picking up this book – particularly if you find the hard cover for cheap!  This is a book you could read all the way through – or for most skim through and use as a reference.  For the average reader I would recommend picking it up for reference, but spending an hour and just turn the pages, reading through the headlines, so that you know what you have access to in the book.  Even that action I think you will find a great deal of depth and increased learning.

I hope you have enjoyed this review, and I encourage your to follow this blog as I update more reviews in the coming days, weeks, months, etc.  Please feel free to also follow my YouTube page – however, I enjoy writing more than being on camera!

Review #6

Tags: 4 Stars, Symbolism, Reference, The Lost Language of Symbolism, Alonzo L. Gaskill,