In The Old Testament for Latter-day Saints, Alex Douglas explores the Old Testament from various perspectives: as a believer, a skeptic, a secular scholar, and a member of the Latter-day Saint community. He delves deep into biblical scholarship, incorporating insights from disciplines such as ancient Near Eastern archaeology and the rich mythic traditions of Israel’s neighboring cultures. By doing so, Douglas helps the reader appreciate the profound significance the Old Testament held for its earliest readers.

This book also explores the intriguing ways in which Latter-day Saints have interpreted and engaged with this ancient text and the author navigates their diverse interpretations of it. He examines how individuals have alternately embraced the Old Testament as myth or history, law or legend, wise counsel or sacred scripture. He shows where many traditional interpretations have come from, and offers many ways to encourage a more nuanced understanding of the text.

Drawing from a wealth of scholarly research and his own unique perspective, Douglas presents a compelling and multidimensional analysis of the Old Testament. However readers approach the text, this book sheds light on the complex nature of the Old Testament and its enduring relevance to the Latter-day Saint tradition.

Alex Douglas earned his PhD in the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament from Harvard University, with a specialization in the book of Isaiah and the Septuagint. His work has focused on bridging the worlds of scholarship and belief, and he has published articles through religious venues such as the Sperry Symposium, as well as the leading journals of biblical studies, such as the Journal of Biblical Literature and the Journal of Septuagint and Cognate Studies. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and three children.

Introduction 
1. The Old Testament as Myth (Genesis 1–11) 
2. The Old Testament as Legend (Genesis 12–Exodus 15) 
3. The Old Testament as Story (Genesis–Deuteronomy) 
4. The Old Testament as Law (Exodus–Deuteronomy)
5. The Old Testament as History ( Joshua–2 Kings) 
6. The Old Testament as Revisionist History (1–2 Chronicles) 
7. The Old Testament as Prophecy (Isaiah–Malachi) 
8. Isaiah 
9. The Old Testament as Advice (Ezra–Song of Solomon) 
10. The Old Testament as Scripture 
Appendix: The Old Testament and the Book of Mormon 
Resources for Further Study 
Bibliography 
Index