The LDS Daily WOOL© Archive - Alma Sonne

(9/22/03)
"Biblical scholars have failed to offer a satisfactory explanation of this prophetic utterance. Where is the stick of Joseph, also called the stick of Ephraim? How shall this stick, or book, be joined with the stick of Judah, or the Bible? How can these sticks become one in the hands of God for the enlightenment of humanity? The Book of Mormon answers these questions. It is the only answer. The Book of Mormon, as you know, is a powerful witness. It is a builder of faith. It is a converter of souls to the truth, and the Book of Mormon is true, and truth will triumph even against strong and determined opposition." - Alma Sonne, "General Conference Reports," April 1957, p. 26
 

6/10/07
"There comes to mind the recent remark of a young man facing some current problems and pressures: It was the utterance of one awakening to reality: 'There certainly are a lot of decisions,' he said. This is an awareness we all come to. There certainly are a lot of decisions. The very essence of life concerns decisions—the matter of making choices. Some decisions should, of course, take time; some should wait for matters to mature. But there are some decisions that could take too much time—some that we could wrestle with too long, and to no good purpose. There are some choices we should decide swiftly—and then let them alone. And we could simplify many decisions by separating them into two convenient categories: decisions of principle and decisions of preference. As to decisions of principle, we shouldn't really waste much time on clear-cut questions of right and wrong. 'Thou shalt not steal,' for example, is quite clear-cut. 'Thou shalt not bear false witness' is quite clear-cut. 'Thou shalt not commit adultery' is quite clear-cut. Many such decisions are clearly covered by the commandments, and we could waste a whole lifetime wrestling with what ought to be more or less automatic. (Being without standards in making such decisions would be like trying to do business without standards of weight or money or measure. Suppose we didn't have an inch or a foot or a dollar—or a pint or a pound—and had to quibble about every length and measure and amount!) The decisions of principle, we repeat, should be more or less automatic. In this we are reminded of what Mencius said in one strong, short sentence: 'Let men decide firmly what they will not do, and they will be free to do vigorously what they ought to do.' (Mencius, Discourses, iv; 300 B.C.) And now as to decisions of preference—as to what suit we should select, or what course we should study, what job we should take: For such decisions we have to consider ourselves, our qualifications, our personal preferences, and those of others also, and, in the more weighty matters, thoughtfully, prayerfully, think things through. In the matter of making decisions, there is no easy all-inclusive answer, but at least some of the essential decisions can be somewhat simplified if we distinguish between decisions of principle and decisions of preference, and then have the courage and the character swiftly to settle the decisions of principle, and not waste time wrestling with clear-cut matters of right and wrong. 'Let men decide firmly what they will not do, and they will be free to do vigorously what they ought to do.'" - Alma Sonne, "Conference Report," October 1956, Afternoon Meeting, p.131
 

11/17/08
"When I was a young man, feeling my way cautiously and thoughtfully, and I hope, prayerfully, I asked my father, 'Why did you join the Church?' The question came to him as a challenge. He hesitated for a moment and then replied, 'Because I read the Book of Mormon.' He had come to America, not for the gospel's sake, but because he believed America was a land of opportunity, in which a person could make headway if he worked and saved and struggled toward an end. And then someone handed him a Book of Mormon. 'Read it,' he was urged. He read a chapter or two every night, before retiring, until the book was read from cover to cover. He put it aside, not particularly impressed. Then one day as he was working in the field a thought came to him: 'That book is God-given. Joseph Smith never wrote that book.' And then he came to a logical conclusion: 'If that book is a revelation, then 'Mormonism' is true, and the gospel and the priesthood are upon the earth.' Then he sought out the bishop of the ward in which he was resding, and asked to be baptized a member of the Church." - Alma Sonne, "Conference Report," October 1946, Morning Meeting, p.118 - 119
 

8/24/09
“’For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.’ (2 Peter 1:16.)

“Will you remember the word, ‘eye-witnesses.’ These men were not deceived. They knew whereof they spoke. They were as certain and positive that Jesus was the Christ, and that there was a life after death as they were that they lived in a world of reality, ‘For he received from God the Father honour and glory,’ said Peter, ‘when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice came from heaven, we heard when we were in the holy mount.’ (Ibid., 1:17-18.“A great and strong testimony, isn't it, my friends? We can receive the leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ without any doubts and without any misgivings. I know of no man in history who has made a bid for world leadership except only Jesus Christ. He actually made a bid to lead the world for he said: ‘And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd,’ (John 10:16) and he, of course, was to be the shepherd, the only one qualified to lead the world back to the place where he and God dwell.” - Alma Sonne, “Conference Report,” April 1960, Afternoon Meeting, p. 51
 

1/9/10
“We have been urged by previous speakers to adhere to fundamentals. Such admonition, it seems to me, is timely in a day of war and upheaval. It is so easy for a people to side-step fundamentals. This is especially true in times of stress when they become impatient and lose their powers of endurance. What could be more fundamental than the doctrine of the resurrection, discussed with such force and eloquence this morning? What could be more fundamental than the Ten Commandments mentioned by President George Albert Smith, and by Elder Spencer W. Kimball this afternoon? The violation of these commandments has brought destruction and sorrow, not only to men, but nations. What could be more practical and fundamental than the Sermon on the Mount, quoted in part by President McKay the other evening?” - Alma Sonne, “Conference Report,” April 1944, Afternoon Meeting, p. 147

 
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