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(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
8/15/16
Jesus lived with the poor. He appeared as one of them. He
cast his lot with the lowly and dejected classes of society. You will
recallwhen John the Baptist sent his disciples to be reassured, Jesus
said, “Tell
John the poor have the gospel preached to them.” (See Luke
7:22.) Can you think
of any leader aspiring to greatness and recognition who ever thought
ofbeginning with the poor? Please remember that the higher circles were
open to
him, but he never deserted the meek and the humble. He remained their
friend.Was not this a manifestation of his great love? - Alma
Sonne, “Conference Report,” October 1963, Second Day-Morning
Meeting, p.54
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