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The newly appointed president of Ricks College, Dr. Bruce C. Hafen, has an enthusiasm for small campuses that began when he was a student at Dixie College in St. George, Utah. Expressing appreciation for his college involvement in debate, art, music, drama, athletics, the newspaper, and student government, Dr. Hafen said, “My own experience at a junior college was so valuable that I’m an enthusiastic believer in Ricks. I feel a great need to learn all I can about the college, especially about who the students are, where they come from, and where they hope to go.”

After two years at Dixie, Dr. Hafen fulfilled a mission to West Germany, completed his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, and received a law degree from the University of Utah. He practiced law for several years before returning to BYU as an administrative assistant to President Dallin Oaks. He has served as counselor in the BYU First Stake presidency, stake executive secretary, high councilor, counselor in a bishopric, explorer adviser, and priest adviser. He was assistant dean of the J. Reuben Clark Law School before being called to his present position of director of planning and research for the Correlation Department of the Church.

Dr. Hafen, the father of seven young children, will assume duties as president of the college on May 1.

Three percent of the student body at Arcadia High School in California stand out for two special reasons: they are LDS and they are leaders. The students pictured here have learned some important lessons about leadership during the past year. Says student-body president Jim Riley, “I have had the chance to represent the Church on many issues, and the school administrators almost always consult the Mormon student-body officers before they take actions that could offend Mormons in any way. For this opportunity I am grateful to the Church. It has given me a framework upon which I can build my life and make my decisions.” Honor student Karen Ballard added, “I’m really happy there are so many Mormons involved in school activities this year. I think it says a lot for Mormons and what they are capable of doing.”

Seated on the front row, left to right, are Scott Varney, junior class senator; John Ballard, senior class president; and Scott Riley, junior class vice-president. Second row, left to right: Holly Beesley, inter-club council president; Janette Anderson, member of “Miss Arcadia” court; Karen Ballard, honor student; Jeanine Van Dusen, sophomore class senator; and Laurie Laidlaw, member of “New Spirit” singing group. Third row, left to right: Julie Clawson, homecoming princess; Linda Haire, varsity cheerleader; Jim Riley, student-body president; Cricket Cleary, drill team; Julie Payne, member of “New Spirit” singing group.

Six pageants that will dramatically portray aspects of gospel history have been announced by Church officials for 1978. There is no admission charge for any of these presentations:

June 15–16 in Cody, Wyoming—A history of the settlement of the Cody area by Mormons, “Lest We Forget,” will be presented in the Cody High School auditorium.

June 15–17 in Independence, Missouri—“Missouri, Mormons, and Miracles,” a presentation of both Mormon history in the 1800s and the Book of Mormon civilizations in ancient America will be staged outdoors near the visitors’ center. It answers the eternal questions, “Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going?”

July 13–15 and 18–22 in Oakland, California—The Oakland Temple pageant will be staged indoors at the tri-stake center near the temple. It tells the history of the restoration, from Joseph Smith to the trek to the Rocky Mountains.

July 13–14 and 18–22 in Manti, Utah—The “Mormon Miracle Pageant” will be presented on the grassy slopes of the Manti Temple grounds. The pageant tells the story of the organization of the Church and has flashback scenes from the Book of Mormon.

July 21–22 and 25–29 near Palmyra, New York—The famous Hill Cumorah pageant will be presented outdoors on a hillside staging area. “America’s Witness for Christ” will depict scenes from the Book of Mormon.

August 15–19 in Nauvoo, Illinois—The “City of Joseph” will be presented at the visitors’ center. The pageant tells the story of Nauvoo, the Mississippi River village built by the Mormons in the 1840s, its rise and fall as a Mormon settlement, and the life story of its founder, Joseph Smith.

A spiritual record that will “increase the faith and testimony of those who compile it and those who read it” should be the chief aim of a book of remembrance, according to the authors of How to Make Your Book of Remembrance. J Malan Heslop and Dell Van Orden have packed a slender, easy-to-understand volume full of practical suggestions and information for those who have not yet begun to keep a personal record and for others who may be in need of fresh ideas.

Emphasizing the importance of commitment and organization, the authors stress that “your book of remembrance becomes your history.” They discuss what should be included in the book (pedigree charts, family group sheets, personal histories, and records such as certificates and photographs), how to obtain information, how to preserve and use pictures, and also offer suggestions on how to put it all together in an attractive manner. Also included is an excellent section on goal setting, complete with a suggested progress chart.

When Elder Alma Sonne of the First Quorum of the Seventy passed away last November, he left behind a lifetime of service in the Church and in the community. Calling him one of the “giants among men, one that will be hard to imitate,” President Spencer W. Kimball joined with other Church leaders, relatives, and associates in paying tribute to their friend and colleague.

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Elder Alma Sonne

Elder Sonne, the oldest of the General Authorities, served 35 years as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve before being called to the newly organized First Quorum of the Seventy in 1976. His other Church service included serving a mission to Great Britain; serving in two bishoprics and as a high councilor, counselor, and president of the Utah Cache Valley Stake; and serving as a member of the advisory committee of the General Church Welfare Committee. Speaking at the funeral, President Ezra Taft Benson told of his experiences with Elder Sonne in providing welfare services for Church members in Europe after World War II: “He had a great love for the people of those devastated countries. Tears came to his eyes as he listened to testimonies in those bombed-out buildings.”

Elder Sonne headed 13 missions of the Church in postwar Europe in 1946–50, and in 1944 was the first General Authority to visit the Pacific area after more than two years of World War II.

He was born in Logan, Utah, on March 5, 1884, to Niels Christian and Lise Petersen Sonne. He was one of six children, including a twin sister, Emma Holmgren, who died recently. Elder Sonne graduated from the Brigham Young College in Logan, Utah, and soon after joined the staff of the First National Bank of Logan. Beginning as an errand boy and collection agent, he rose in the company to become executive vice-president, president, and chairman of the board. He also has been director of the Logan Chamber of Commerce, president of the Utah Bankers’ Association, and chairman of the Utah State University Board of Trustees.

Elder Sonne’s parents named him after Alma of old and were promised that he would have the same great faith of his namesake. In an address at Brigham Young University in 1960, he told of a young man, a student at Oxford University, who felt that he was losing his faith and his testimony. Elder Sonne counseled him: “I do not know anything about science and the things which you study, but I can give you some advice. I believe you have been neglecting your faith and your religion. I will promise you this: If you will give as much attention to your religion and to your faith as you do your studies in science, you will not lose faith.”

The young man later told Elder Sonne he had followed his advice and that he no longer doubted the gospel.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (all apostles during the ministry of Christ) each wrote an account of the significant events in the Savior’s life. For years Bible scholars have tried to piece the four accounts together for an accurate picture of what actually transpired. From this effort books called “harmonies” have originated. A harmony lists all scriptural versions of an event side by side so they can be compared.

But Eldin Ricks’s new book, Story of the Life of Christ, A Harmony of the Four Gospels, goes far beyond the effort of an ordinary harmony. It places all of the events in chronological order, beginning with Christ’s role in the premortal existence. It includes a map with each chapter, showing locations of major events. It includes a variety of up-to-date photos of the Holy Land. Its index is comprehensive and authoritative. A special synopsis gives a brief overview of Christ’s history on earth. Chapter headings and subheadings guide the reader.

But best of all, the book simply lists the scriptures, without additional commentary. Significant passages, or those which provide the clearest or most detailed account of an event also mentioned elsewhere, are printed in large type. Other accounts of the same incident are printed in small type on the same page. The result is that the book can be read on two levels—as an overview of the life of Christ, following the major events in the order they took place, or as an in-depth study, pausing to read the various accounts in detail.

This marvelous arrangement facilitates comprehension and retention of the teachings of the Savior, as well as promoting understanding of the people involved and the environment in which the Master lived.

There are many books on the market explaining how to get rich quick, or how to climb the executive ladder in five easy steps. However, few take into account the person who does not want to leave home to make money, and probably none are as well suited to the LDS person (who realizes the importance of home life) as this book.

It is a lively compilation of ideas aimed not only at women who want to stay at home with their families, but also at men who want added income, young people who may not be old enough to hold jobs, and at the handicapped and homebound who would like profitable work. And although the bulk of the chapters are devoted to job descriptions, many chapters would be beneficial to anyone.

Two of the unique features of Home Work are the encouragement Mrs. Judge gives the reader to examine his motives for wanting outside income and the help she gives in determining his needs. One section even suggests money-saving ideas that may eliminate the need for more income! Mrs. Judge makes it clear that time with the family should be the first priority with the reader.

Assessing your talents and interests is one of the first steps, according to Mrs. Judge, toward finding your niche in the work-at-home world. Once you have taken this personal inventory, you will want to brainstorm all the ideas you can. Throughout the book, in fact, the reader is reminded of his own capacity to think up the job best suited to himself. “Think big when brainstorming,” urges Mrs. Judge, “and consider every suggestion … and remember, in choosing your at-home endeavor, look for needs; consider your own interests, talents and skills; be practical; and have confidence in you.”

Projects are conveniently classified into areas of interest—teaching, crafts, child-tending, writing, homemaking skills, selling, and special talents. Time, too, is a factor as there are many jobs that can be done by utilizing little scraps of time. The variety is fascinating, as suggestions range from the more conventional babysitting and clothing alterations to impersonating Santa and building pet caskets.

This book makes interesting reading to those who are seriously considering seeking in-home work and to those who just want to cultivate their creativity. Perhaps it is best summed up in the foreword by Barbara B. Smith, General President of the Relief Society: “This compilation of creative suggestions will open the mind of the reader to new horizons. I think all who peruse it will find it stimulating and helpful.”

A boa constrictor, while foraging for food, came upon a rabbit and devoured it. A little later, the snake writhed his way into a small space between two fallen logs. He was squeezing through reasonably well, until the bulge about a third of the way down prevented further progress. He started to back out, when just ahead of him sauntered another unsuspecting rabbit. The temptation was too great, and soon the snake had eaten the second rabbit, Now the boa could neither advance nor retreat, and was completely at the mercy of a hunter who came along a few minutes later.

In his book Do-It-Yourself Destiny, Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone relates this story, and then comments, “Now, that snake might have felt that he was the victim of circumstances. If he was, he made them by his overpowering taste for rabbits. Many a person, having acquired bulges in his character that hold him back from paths that the bulgeless ones frequent, similarly ascribe the blame to circumstance.” (P. 6.)

Do-It-Yourself Destiny takes the opposite, positive view, reminding us that we are all sons and daughters of a King, and that we have been given great opportunities and potential. In 17 easy-to-understand chapters, Elder Featherstone discusses such subjects as attitude, love, leadership, family relations, self-mastery, and the importance of a good sense of humor. Each section is abundantly illustrated with stories that will teach, inspire, and keep readers turning the pages, chapter after chapter.

Before we came to this earth we were able to talk face to face with our Father in heaven. Now, although we are removed from his physical presence, he has provided prayer as a means by which we may communicate with him daily. What a beautiful promise to know we may still receive comfort and counsel from a loving Heavenly Father. Prayer, a new book containing articles written by 18 General Authorities of the Church, discusses this important gospel principle in an enlightening and motivating manner.

President Spencer W. Kimball tells of the blessings that will come when families pray together; Elder Bruce R. McConkie describes how and when to pray; Elder Mark E. Petersen explains the need for and significance of the baptismal and sacrament prayers; Elder John H. Vandenberg gives insight into what prayer meant in the lives of George Washington and other great men.

Counsel is given on such subjects as fasting and prayer, praying in public, the language of prayer, the power of prayer, and the comfort of prayer during times of adversity. Three beautiful poems by Elder S. Dilworth Young complete the collection. Because of its important and well-stated messages, Prayer would be a welcome addition to any family library.