May 18. On this date in 1941, Yvonne Liegois Cuellar, a French woman married to Arturo Cuellar Echazu, a Bolivian army officer, became a Bahá’í in Bolivia. Although Marina Núñez del Prado was the first Bolivian to become a Bahá’í, on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. Shoghi Effendi called her the "Mother of Bolivia". Arturo Cuellar would later become a Bahá’í in 1946 through his wife's efforts.

May 18. On this date in 1941, Yvonne Liegois Cuellar, a French woman married to Arturo Cuellar Echazu, a Bolivian army officer, became a Bahá’í in Bolivia. Although Marina Núñez del Prado was the first Bolivian to become a Bahá’í, on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. Shoghi Effendi called her the "Mother of Bolivia". Arturo Cuellar would later become a Bahá’í in 1946 through his wife's efforts.

Born in France on March 11, 1896, Yvonne Cuellar and her husband, Arturo Cuellar, lived in La Paz, Bolivia, in the 1940s where they had an American boarder, Eleanor Adler, who was first Bahá’í pioneer to Bolivia. Both she and her husband became Bahá’ís and helped establish the first Baha'i community of La Paz.

Yvonne Liegois Cuellar became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941. Although Marina Núñez del Prado, a celebrated sculptor, was the first Bolivian to become a Bahá’í, on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. Shoghi Effendi called her the "Mother of Bolivia". Arturo Cuellar would later become a Bahá’í in 1946 through his wife's efforts.

In 1953, the Cuellars moved to the United States but returned to Bolivia in 1956 at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of that country. In 1958 she traveled to France to help establish the inaugural National Spiritual Assembly, which was dissolved two years later through reports of Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qásim Faizi by the authority of the Custodians due to a majority of the Assembly's acceptance of Charles Mason Remey's claim to being the second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith subsequent to the death of Shoghi Effendi.

In 1968 the Cuellars once again moved to the United States. Yvonne Cullear died in Littleton, Colorado on December 7, 1983.

April 13. On this date in 1983, Arnold Zonneveld died in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Born in 1933 in the Netherlands, he became a Bahá'í in 1961, and spent 22 of his next 23 years pioneering. He was survived by his wife and six children.

April 13. On this date in 1983, Arnold Zonneveld died in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Born in 1933 in the Netherlands, he became a Bahá'í in 1961, and spent 22 of his next 23 years pioneering. He was survived by his wife and six children.

From "In Memoriam", published in Bahá'í World, Vol. 18...

ARNOLD ZONNEVELD
1933-1983

GRIEVED LEARN PASSING ARNOLD ZONNEVELD HIS DEDICATED OUTSTANDING SERVICES PIONEER FIELD MERIT GOOD PLEASURE BLESSED BEAUTY. KINDLY CONVEY MEMBERS HIS FAMILY CONDOLENCES LOVING SYMPATHY AND ASSURANCE ARDENT PRAYERS PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
Universal House of Justice, 5 April 1983

Arnold Zonneveld was born in Haarlem, the Netherlands, on 30 March 1933 and died in Cochabamba, Bolivia, on 13 April 1983. This exceptional Bahá'í of Dutch background was known to a very few of his fellow Dutch believers, for barely one year of his twenty-three years of life as a Bahá'í was spent in his home country. Arnold was the example of a born pioneer: he gave up everything in order to settle in the most inhospitable places where he lived in primitive circumstances and devoted himself to the spiritual and physical well-being of his fellow man. Whether he had to endure bitter cold or terrible heat, whether alone and unmarried or responsible for a large family, Arnold understood the art of being satisfied under all conditions. We can rightly call him a true servant of God.
He was introduced to the Bahá'í Faith by Arnold van Ogtrop, and in 1961, while attending the International Summer School for Youth in Delft, the Netherlands, he met Paul Adams, the Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for Spitsbergen, and heard his account of life in that barren arctic region. Arnold decided to join Paul in Spitsbergen. He served there for three years, working as a hunter and later in coal-mines. The rigorous climate and hard working conditions affected his health and he had to leave. He returned to Germany and in 1965 married Gisela von Brunn. The following year, inspired by the talks given by Anna Grossmann at the German Summer School, they resolved to pioneer to Latin America. Bolivia seemed to offer the opportunity they sought to actively spread the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh among a receptive population. On 21 November 1966 they arrived in South America with their one-year-old son, Hilmar, and soon settled in Cochabamba.
Arnold's capacity to take up whatever work was available proved especially useful. He took on many projects — woodworking, business, agriculture, cattle breeding — and earned a wide reputation as a trustworthy and competent workman. It was not always a simple matter to earn a livelihood for his growing family and he suffered many setbacks. They received great moral and practical support from Gisela's mother, Ursula von Brunn, who joined them in Cochabamba in September 1967.
The Zonnevelds settled in the centre of the tropical jungle and savannah area, in the Department of Beni, where they located on a piece of land on the Rio Blanco and gave their home the name El Alba (Dawn). El Alba served well as a pioneer post because seven of the eight provinces of Beni can be reached by rivers, there being virtually no roads or other amenities. Equally important, there is a city in the area, Costa Marques, Brazil. There were no Western comforts which meant that basic daily needs occupied a great deal of time, a circumstance which they deeply regretted. The Zonneveld family, which eventually numbered six children, adopted the local way of life as their own. Lumber was difficult to obtain. Although he had never thought he had a talent for technical things, Arnold developed two different guide-systems for chainsaws and began to fell trees and to saw planks. The sale of quality planks became the primary source of income for the family.
Their way of life aroused admiration and astonishment on the part of the native people and visitors alike. But the Zonnevelds found no solution to the problem of how to free themselves to devote more time to the Bahá'í Faith and to projects that would improve the living conditions of the local people. It was their dearest wish to establish first a primary school and later a trade school for the region, but their appeals for others to join them in the area and lend assistance went unanswered.
Early in 1983 Arnold fell ill. After a long bout of malaria it was discovered that he had a brain tumour which had already developed beyond the stage where it could be treated. On 13 April 1983 he passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife and their two oldest children, supported by the prayers of the Bahá'ís of Cochabamba and other centres. This servant of the Cause of God devoted himself to the service of a special race of people of whom he was very fond. Often the task seemed beyond his strength. His family prays that the effort expended in Cochabamba be not lost and that the promise of success be fully realized. May we remember in our prayers the one who has passed away and also those who live after him.
Extracted from a memoir by MARIJE FIENIEG-JONKERS (Translated from the Dutch by NANCY FOLKEMA)

March 11. On this date in 1896. Yvonne Liegois was born in Paris, France. She would later move to Bolivia where she became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941. Although Marina Núñez del Prado became the first Bolivian Bahá’í on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Liegois Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia.

March 11. On this date in 1896. Yvonne Liegois was born in Paris, France. She would later move to Bolivia where she became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941. Although Marina Núñez del Prado became the first Bolivian Bahá’í on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Liegois Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia.

Born in France on March 11, 1896, Yvonne Cuellar and her husband, Arturo Cuellar, lived in La Paz, Bolivia, in the 1940s where they had an American boarder, Eleanor Adler, who was first Bahá’í pioneer to Bolivia. Both she and her husband became Bahá’ís and helped establish the first Baha'i community of La Paz.

Yvonne Liegois Cuellar became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941. Although Marina Núñez del Prado, a celebrated sculptor, was the first Bolivian to become a Bahá’í, on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. Shoghi Effendi called her the "Mother of Bolivia". Arturo Cuellar would later become a Bahá’í in 1946 through his wife's efforts.

In 1953, the Cuellars moved to the United States but returned to Bolivia in 1956 at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of that country. In 1958 she traveled to France to help establish the inaugural National Spiritual Assembly, which was dissolved two years later through reports of Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qásim Faizi by the authority of the Custodians due to a majority of the Assembly's acceptance of Charles Mason Remey's claim to being the second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith subsequent to the death of Shoghi Effendi.
 
In 1968 the Cuellars once again moved to the United States. Yvonne Cullear died in Littleton, Colorado on December 7, 1983.

February 2. On this date in 1941, Marina Núñez del Prado, a celebrated sculptor, became the first Bolivian Bahá’í. She did not remain active, however, so Yvonne Liegois Cuellar, who became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941, is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. A French woman married to Arturo Cuellar Echazu, a Bolivian army officer, Yvonne Cuellar was titled the "Mother of Bolivia" by Shoghi Effendi.

February 2. On this date in 1941, Marina Núñez del Prado, a celebrated sculptor, became the first Bolivian Bahá’í. She did not remain active, however, so Yvonne Liegois Cuellar, who became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941, is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. A French woman married to Arturo Cuellar Echazu, a Bolivian army officer, Yvonne Cuellar was titled the "Mother of Bolivia" by Shoghi Effendi.

Born in France on March 11, 1896, Yvonne Cuellar and her husband, Arturo Cuellar, lived in La Paz, Bolivia, in the 1940s where they had an American boarder, Eleanor Adler, who was first Bahá’í pioneer to Bolivia. Both she and her husband became Bahá’ís and helped establish the first Baha'i community of La Paz. May 18. On this date in 1941, Yvonne Liegois Cuellar became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941. Although Marina del Prado was the first Bolivian to become a Bahá’í, on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. Shoghi Effendi called her the "Mother of Bolivia". Arturo Cuellar would later become a Bahá’í in 1946 through his wife's efforts.

In 1953, the Cuellars moved to the United States but returned to Bolivia in 1956 at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of that country. In 1958 she traveled to France to help establish the inaugural National Spiritual Assembly, which was dissolved two years later through reports of Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qásim Faizi by the authority of the Custodians due to a majority of the Assembly's acceptance of Charles Mason Remey's claim to being the second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith subsequent to the death of Shoghi Effendi.

In 1968 the Cuellars once again moved to the United States. Yvonne Cullear died in Littleton, Colorado in December 1983.

December 7. On this date in 1983. Yvonne (Liegois) Cuellar died in Littleton, Colorado. Born in Paris, France, she would later move to Bolivia where she became a Bahá’í. Although the artist Marina Núñez del Prado was the first Bolivian Bahá’í, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Liegois Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia.

December 7. On this date in 1983. Yvonne (Liegois) Cuellar died in Littleton, Colorado. Born in Paris, France, she would later move to Bolivia where she became a Bahá’í. Although the artist Marina Núñez del Prado was the first Bolivian Bahá’í, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Liegois Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia.

Born in France on March 11, 1896, Yvonne Cuellar and her husband, Arturo Cuellar, lived in La Paz, Bolivia, in the 1940s where they had an American boarder, Eleanor Adler, who was first Bahá’í pioneer to Bolivia. Both she and her husband became Bahá’ís and helped establish the first Baha'i community of La Paz.

Yvonne Liegois Cuellar became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941. Although Marina Núñez del Prado, a celebrated sculptor, was the first Bolivian to become a Bahá’í, on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. Shoghi Effendi called her the "Mother of Bolivia". Arturo Cuellar would later become a Bahá’í in 1946 through his wife's efforts.

In 1953, the Cuellars moved to the United States but returned to Bolivia in 1956 at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of that country. In 1958 she traveled to France to help establish the inaugural National Spiritual Assembly, which was dissolved two years later through reports of Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qásim Faizi by the authority of the Custodians due to a majority of the Assembly's acceptance of Charles Mason Remey's claim to being the second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith subsequent to the death of Shoghi Effendi.

In 1968 the Cuellars once again moved to the United States. Yvonne Cullear died in Littleton, Colorado on December 7, 1983.

October 15. On this date in 1979, the Universal House of Justice wrote the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia that there are a minimum of rituals in the Bahá'í Faith and no man-made dogmas.

October 15. On this date in 1979, the Universal House of Justice wrote the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia that there are a minimum of rituals in the Bahá'í Faith and no man-made dogmas.

1573. There Are a Minimum of Rituals in the Bahá'í Faith and No Man-Made Dogmas
"In response to your letter of 3rd September 1979 asking if there are dogmas and rites in the Bahá'í Faith, the Universal House of Justice has instructed us to convey its reply.
"A dogma is a principle, tenet or teaching, especially an authoritative teaching, and in these senses it is apparent that the Faith has 'dogmas'. The word is also used, however, to describe that body of rigid doctrines that have accumulated in a religion after the passing of its Founder; such man-made dogmas are entirely absent from the Bahá'í Faith, nor can it ever acquire them.
"Concerning rituals, the beloved Guardian's secretary wrote on his behalf to an individual believer on 24th June 1949:
'Bahá'u'lláh has reduced all ritual and form to an absolute minimum in His Faith. The few forms that there are--like those associated with the two longer obligatory daily prayers--are only symbols of the inner attitude. There is a wisdom in them and a great blessing, but we cannot force ourselves to understand or feel these things; that is why He gave us also the very short and simple prayer, for those who did not feel the desire to perform the acts associated with the other two.'
"Thus it can be seen that the Faith has certain simple rites prescribed by Bahá'u'lláh, such as the obligatory prayers, the marriage ceremony and the laws for the burial of the dead, but its teachings warn against developing them into a system of uniform and rigid rituals incorporating man-made forms and practices, such as exist in other religions where rituals usually consist of elaborate ceremonial practices performed by a member of the clergy. In another letter written on behalf of the Guardian his secretary stated:
'In these days the friends should, as much as possible, demonstrate through their deeds the independence of the Holy Faith of God, and its freedom from the customs, rituals and practices of a discredited and abrogated past.' (Translated from the Persian).
"In freeing the believers from the religious rituals of the past and from those customs which are contrary to Bahá'í principles, the institutions of the Faith should be careful not to press the friends to arbitrarily discard those local traditions which are harmless and often colourful characteristics of particular peoples and tribes. In 'The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh', on page 41, we read:
'Let there be no misgivings as to the animating purpose of the world-wide Law of Bahá'u'lláh. Far from aiming at the subversion of the existing foundations of society, it seeks to broaden its basis, to remold its institutions in a manner consonant with the needs of an ever-changing world. It can conflict with no legitimate allegiances, nor can it undermine essential loyalties. Its purpose is neither to stifle the flame of a sane and intelligent patriotism in men's hearts, nor to abolish the system of national autonomy so essential if the evils of excessive centralization are to be avoided. It does not ignore, nor does it attempt to suppress, the diversity of ethnical origins, of climate, of history, of language and tradition, of thought and habit, that differentiate the peoples and nations of the world....'"
(From a letter written of behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia, October 16, 1979)

May 18. On this date in 1941, Yvonne Liegois Cuellar, a French woman married to Arturo Cuellar Echazu, a Bolivian army officer, became a Bahá’í in Bolivia. Although Marina del Prado was the first Bolivian to become a Bahá’í, on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. Shoghi Effendi called her the "Mother of Bolivia". Arturo Cuellar would later become a Bahá’í in 1946 through his wife's efforts.

May 18. On this date in 1941, Yvonne Liegois Cuellar, a French woman married to Arturo Cuellar Echazu, a Bolivian army officer, became a Bahá’í in Bolivia. Although Marina del Prado was the first Bolivian to become a Bahá’í, on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. Shoghi Effendi called her the "Mother of Bolivia". Arturo Cuellar would later become a Bahá’í in 1946 through his wife's efforts.

Born in France on March 11, 1896, Yvonne Cuellar and her husband, Arturo Cuellar, lived in La Paz, Bolivia, in the 1940s where they had an American boarder, Eleanor Adler, who was first Baha'i pioneer to Bolivia. Both she and her husband became Baha'is and helped establish the first Baha'i community of La Paz. In 1953, the Cuellars moved to the United States but returned to Bolivia in 1956 at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of that country.

 In 1958 she traveled to France to help establish the inaugural National Spiritual Assembly, which was dissolved two years later through reports of Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qásim Faizi by the authority of the Custodians due to a majority of the Assembly's acceptance of Charles Mason Remey's claim to being the second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith subsequent to the death of Shoghi Effendi.
 
In 1968 the Cuellars once again moved to the United States. Yvonne Cullear died in Littleton, Colorado in December 1983.

April 13. On this date in 1983, Arnold Zonneveld died in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Born in 1933 in the Netherlands, he became a Bahá'í in 1961, and spent 22 of his next 23 years pioneering. He was survived by his wife and six children.

April 13. On this date in 1983, Arnold Zonneveld died in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Born in 1933 in the Netherlands, he became a Bahá'í in 1961, and spent 22 of his next 23 years pioneering. He was survived by his wife and six children.

From "In Memoriam", published in Bahá'í World, Vol. 18...

ARNOLD ZONNEVELD
1933-1983

GRIEVED LEARN PASSING ARNOLD ZONNEVELD HIS DEDICATED OUTSTANDING SERVICES PIONEER FIELD MERIT GOOD PLEASURE BLESSED BEAUTY. KINDLY CONVEY MEMBERS HIS FAMILY CONDOLENCES LOVING SYMPATHY AND ASSURANCE ARDENT PRAYERS PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
Universal House of Justice, 5 April 1983

Arnold Zonneveld was born in Haarlem, the Netherlands, on 30 March 1933 and died in Cochabamba, Bolivia, on 13 April 1983. This exceptional Bahá'í of Dutch background was known to a very few of his fellow Dutch believers, for barely one year of his twenty-three years of life as a Bahá'í was spent in his home country. Arnold was the example of a born pioneer: he gave up everything in order to settle in the most inhospitable places where he lived in primitive circumstances and devoted himself to the spiritual and physical well-being of his fellow man. Whether he had to endure bitter cold or terrible heat, whether alone and unmarried or responsible for a large family, Arnold understood the art of being satisfied under all conditions. We can rightly call him a true servant of God.

He was introduced to the Bahá'í Faith by Arnold van Ogtrop, and in 1961, while attending the International Summer School for Youth in Delft, the Netherlands, he met Paul Adams, the Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for Spitsbergen, and heard his account of life in that barren arctic region. Arnold decided to join Paul in Spitsbergen. He served there for three years, working as a hunter and later in coal-mines. The rigorous climate and hard working conditions affected his health and he had to leave. He returned to Germany and in 1965 married Gisela von Brunn. The following year, inspired by the talks given by Anna Grossmann at the German Summer School, they resolved to pioneer to Latin America. Bolivia seemed to offer the opportunity they sought to actively spread the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh among a receptive population. On 21 November 1966 they arrived in South America with their one-year-old son, Hilmar, and soon settled in Cochabamba.

Arnold's capacity to take up whatever work was available proved especially useful. He took on many projects — woodworking, business, agriculture, cattle breeding — and earned a wide reputation as a trustworthy and competent workman. It was not always a simple matter to earn a livelihood for his growing family and he suffered many setbacks. They received great moral and practical support from Gisela's mother, Ursula von Brunn, who joined them in Cochabamba in September 1967.

The Zonnevelds settled in the centre of the tropical jungle and savannah area, in the Department of Beni, where they located on a piece of land on the Rio Blanco and gave their home the name El Alba (Dawn). El Alba served well as a pioneer post because seven of the eight provinces of Beni can be reached by rivers, there being virtually no roads or other amenities. Equally important, there is a city in the area, Costa Marques, Brazil. There were no Western comforts which meant that basic daily needs occupied a great deal of time, a circumstance which they deeply regretted. The Zonneveld family, which eventually numbered six children, adopted the local way of life as their own. Lumber was difficult to obtain. Although he had never thought he had a talent for technical things, Arnold developed two different guide-systems for chainsaws and began to fell trees and to saw planks. The sale of quality planks became the primary source of income for the family. 

Their way of life aroused admiration and astonishment on the part of the native people and visitors alike. But the Zonnevelds found no solution to the problem of how to free themselves to devote more time to the Bahá'í Faith and to projects that would improve the living conditions of the local people. It was their dearest wish to establish first a primary school and later a trade school for the region, but their appeals for others to join them in the area and lend assistance went unanswered.
Early in 1983 Arnold fell ill. After a long bout of malaria it was discovered that he had a brain tumour which had already developed beyond the stage where it could be treated. On 13 April 1983 he passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife and their two oldest children, supported by the prayers of the Bahá'ís of Cochabamba and other centres. This servant of the Cause of God devoted himself to the service of a special race of people of whom he was very fond. Often the task seemed beyond his strength. His family prays that the effort expended in Cochabamba be not lost and that the promise of success be fully realized. May we remember in our prayers the one who has passed away and also those who live after him. 

Extracted from a memoir by MARIJE FIENIEG-JONKERS (Translated from the Dutch by NANCY FOLKEMA)

March 30. On this date in 1933, Arnold Zonneveld was born in Haarlem, the Netherlands. He became a Bahá'í in 1961, and spent 22 of his next 23 years pioneering. He died on April 13, 1983 in Cochabamba, Bolivia, survived by his wife and six children.

March 30. On this date in 1933, Arnold Zonneveld was born in Haarlem, the Netherlands. He became a Bahá'í in 1961, and spent 22 of his next 23 years pioneering. He died on April 13, 1983 in Cochabamba, Bolivia, survived by his wife and six children.

From "In Memoriam", published in Bahá'í World, Vol. 18...

ARNOLD ZONNEVELD
1933-1983

GRIEVED LEARN PASSING ARNOLD ZONNEVELD HIS DEDICATED OUTSTANDING SERVICES PIONEER FIELD MERIT GOOD PLEASURE BLESSED BEAUTY. KINDLY CONVEY MEMBERS HIS FAMILY CONDOLENCES LOVING SYMPATHY AND ASSURANCE ARDENT PRAYERS PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
Universal House of Justice, 5 April 1983

Arnold Zonneveld was born in Haarlem, the Netherlands, on 30 March 1933 and died in Cochabamba, Bolivia, on 13 April 1983. This exceptional Bahá'í of Dutch background was known to a very few of his fellow Dutch believers, for barely one year of his twenty-three years of life as a Bahá'í was spent in his home country. Arnold was the example of a born pioneer: he gave up everything in order to settle in the most inhospitable places where he lived in primitive circumstances and devoted himself to the spiritual and physical well-being of his fellow man. Whether he had to endure bitter cold or terrible heat, whether alone and unmarried or responsible for a large family, Arnold understood the art of being satisfied under all conditions. We can rightly call him a true servant of God.
He was introduced to the Bahá'í Faith by Arnold van Ogtrop, and in 1961, while attending the International Summer School for Youth in Delft, the Netherlands, he met Paul Adams, the Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for Spitsbergen, and heard his account of life in that barren arctic region. Arnold decided to join Paul in Spitsbergen. He served there for three years, working as a hunter and later in coal-mines. The rigorous climate and hard working conditions affected his health and he had to leave. He returned to Germany and in 1965 married Gisela von Brunn. The following year, inspired by the talks given by Anna Grossmann at the German Summer School, they resolved to pioneer to Latin America. Bolivia seemed to offer the opportunity they sought to actively spread the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh among a receptive population. On 21 November 1966 they arrived in South America with their one-year-old son, Hilmar, and soon settled in Cochabamba.
Arnold's capacity to take up whatever work was available proved especially useful. He took on many projects — woodworking, business, agriculture, cattle breeding — and earned a wide reputation as a trustworthy and competent workman. It was not always a simple matter to earn a livelihood for his growing family and he suffered many setbacks. They received great moral and practical support from Gisela's mother, Ursula von Brunn, who joined them in Cochabamba in September 1967.
The Zonnevelds settled in the centre of the tropical jungle and savannah area, in the Department of Beni, where they located on a piece of land on the Rio Blanco and gave their home the name El Alba (Dawn). El Alba served well as a pioneer post because seven of the eight provinces of Beni can be reached by rivers, there being virtually no roads or other amenities. Equally important, there is a city in the area, Costa Marques, Brazil. There were no Western comforts which meant that basic daily needs occupied a great deal of time, a circumstance which they deeply regretted. The Zonneveld family, which eventually numbered six children, adopted the local way of life as their own. Lumber was difficult to obtain. Although he had never thought he had a talent for technical things, Arnold developed two different guide-systems for chainsaws and began to fell trees and to saw planks. The sale of quality planks became the primary source of income for the family.
Their way of life aroused admiration and astonishment on the part of the native people and visitors alike. But the Zonnevelds found no solution to the problem of how to free themselves to devote more time to the Bahá'í Faith and to projects that would improve the living conditions of the local people. It was their dearest wish to establish first a primary school and later a trade school for the region, but their appeals for others to join them in the area and lend assistance went unanswered.
Early in 1983 Arnold fell ill. After a long bout of malaria it was discovered that he had a brain tumour which had already developed beyond the stage where it could be treated. On 13 April 1983 he passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife and their two oldest children, supported by the prayers of the Bahá'ís of Cochabamba and other centres. This servant of the Cause of God devoted himself to the service of a special race of people of whom he was very fond. Often the task seemed beyond his strength. His family prays that the effort expended in Cochabamba be not lost and that the promise of success be fully realized. May we remember in our prayers the one who has passed away and also those who live after him.
Extracted from a memoir by MARIJE FIENIEG-JONKERS (Translated from the Dutch by NANCY FOLKEMA)

March 11. On this date in 1896. Yvonne Liegois was born in Paris, France. She would later move to Bolivia where she became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941. Although Marina Núñez del Prado became the first Bolivian Bahá’í on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Liegois Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia.

March 11. On this date in 1896. Yvonne Liegois was born in Paris, France. She would later move to Bolivia where she became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941. Although Marina Núñez del Prado became the first Bolivian Bahá’í on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Liegois Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia.

Born in France on March 11, 1896, Yvonne Cuellar and her husband, Arturo Cuellar, lived in La Paz, Bolivia, in the 1940s where they had an American boarder, Eleanor Adler, who was first Bahá’í pioneer to Bolivia. Both she and her husband became Bahá’ís and helped establish the first Baha'i community of La Paz.

Yvonne Liegois Cuellar became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941. Although Marina Núñez del Prado, a celebrated sculptor, was the first Bolivian to become a Bahá’í, on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. Shoghi Effendi called her the "Mother of Bolivia". Arturo Cuellar would later become a Bahá’í in 1946 through his wife's efforts.

In 1953, the Cuellars moved to the United States but returned to Bolivia in 1956 at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of that country. In 1958 she traveled to France to help establish the inaugural National Spiritual Assembly, which was dissolved two years later through reports of Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qásim Faizi by the authority of the Custodians due to a majority of the Assembly's acceptance of Charles Mason Remey's claim to being the second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith subsequent to the death of Shoghi Effendi.

In 1968 the Cuellars once again moved to the United States. Yvonne Cullear died in Littleton, Colorado on December 7, 1983.

March 5. On this date in 1985, Lloyd G. Gardner died in Bolivia. He was a Canadian Bahá'í who served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada for twenty years, for a time as Chairman, and also as a Continental Counsellor for the Americas.

March 5. On this date in 1985, Lloyd G. Gardner died in Bolivia. He was a Canadian Bahá'í who served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada for twenty years, for a time as Chairman, and also as a Continental Counsellor for the Americas.

Lloyd G. Gardner was born in Toronto on March 5, 1915 as the youngest of four children. His father was Ernest, a jeweller. Lloyd followed his father into the jewelling business when he was fourteen, specializing in diamond setting. He played tennis at a high level, and discovered the Faith in 1937 at a camp he attended with his tennis partner in Ontario. The camp owner was a Bahá'í who put them in touch with the Toronto Bahá'í community, which included Howard Colby Ives and Mabel Ives at the time. He became a Bahá'í in 1938, and considered Mabel Ives his spiritual mother.

Lloyd was elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Ontario in 1938, and assisted in organizing the first Canadian Bahá'í Summer School held at Rice Lake in Ontario the same year. At the opening of WWII Lloyd was conscripted for military service, he request non-combatant duty and trained as a shipboard medic. He was stationed in Halifax for most of the war, and helped establish the Local Spiritual Assembly of Halifax. In 1945 he was stationed in St. John's, Newfoundland, and he opened the territory to the Faith, holding a public talk on the Faith. After the war he returned to Toronto, where he was re-elected to the Local Assembly, and appointed to the National Youth Teaching Committee.

In 1948 Lloyd was elected to the first independent National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, and he served on the body for the next twenty years. In 1949 he married Helen Smith, a fellow Canadian Bahá'í, and they pioneered to North York, Ontario, living there until pioneering to Oshawa in 1951, where their children Nancy and David were born. In 1954 Lloyd read a reading at the Memorial for Dorothy Baker at the House of Worship in Illinois, representing the Canadian National Spiritual Assembly. In 1956 Lloyd spoke at the Dedication of the National Haziratu'l-Quds of Canada in Toronto. In 1958 Lloyd spoke at the Dedication of a Temple Site at North York, Ontario, which was to be the site of a second House of Worship in America, although it has not yet been constructed. In 1963 he attended the first International Convention in Haifa and acted as a teller for the election of the first Universal House of Justice.

Lloyd was appointed as an inaugural Continental Counsellor for North America in 1968 for an indefinite term by the Universal House of Justice, stepping down from the Canadian National Assembly to serve in the role. In June 1969 he attended a Deepening Conference held by the Continental Board of Counsellors held in Halifax. In July 1970 he served on the Faculty of the Juneau Summer School in Alaska. In 1971 he attended the North Atlantic Oceanic Conference held in Reykjavik, Iceland. In 1972 he attended the United States National Convention. In 1973 he attended the Canadian National Convention. In September 1973 he attended a National Bahá'í Conference held in St. Louis which was attended by 10,000, making it the largest Convention held. In late August and early September 1975 Lloyd participated in a week of proclamation and deepening activities held to commemorate the Anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's 1912 visit to Canada. In 1978 Lloyd attended the first National Convention of the Bahamas. At the close of 1978 and beginning of 1979 Lloyd helped maintain momentum in a vast teaching campaign in Canada, which led to the formation of twenty-three Local Spiritual Assemblies.

In 1980 the Universal House of Justice merged the Continental Boards for North, Central, and South America into the Continental Board for the Americas, and introduced five year terms for Counsellors. Lloyd was appointed to the new body, and appointed as Trustee of the Continental Fund. In 1982 he visited Guyana, and spoke at a meeting in Georgetown. In September 1982 he spoke at an International Conference held in the Olympic Velodrome in Montreal, giving a report on the progress of the Seven Year Plan. In 1983 he attended the Canadian National Convention. In June 1983 he visited Holsteinsborg, a settlement north of the Artic Circle, for the Greenland Bahá'í Summer School. In 1984 he spoke at the International Bahá'í Youth Conference held in Canada. In November 1984 he participated in the Conference of the Association for Bahá'í Studies held in Ottawa.

Lloyd died in Bolivia on March 5, 1985, shortly after a teaching trip to St. Lucia and Barbados, and a meeting of the Counsellors of the Americas in Bolivia. The Universal House of Justice issued the following statement:

DEEPLY GRIEVED UNTIMELY PASSING ESTEEMED LLOYD GARDNER STALWART DEFENDER INTERESTS FAITH AMERICAS. HIS DISTINGUISHED LONGTIME SERVICE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CANADA AND MEMBERSHIP BOARD COUNSELLORS AMERICAS SINCE INCEPTION MARKED BY INDEFATIGABLE LABORS ALL ASPECTS TEACHING WORK AND COMMUNITY LIFE NOTABLY YOUTH ACTIVITIES. HIS STERLING CHARACTER HIGH INTEGRITY WARMHEARTED NATURE TOTAL DEDICATION FAITH WORTHY EMULATION. FERVENTLY PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS LUMINOUS SPIRIT ABHA KINGDOM AND SOLACE HIS SORROWING FAMILY. ADVISING ALL COMMUNITIES AMERICAS OFFER PRAYERS IN HIS NAME. REQUESTING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY UNITED STATES HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERING TEMPLE WILMETTE

February 2. On this date in 1941, Marina Núñez del Prado, a celebrated sculptor, became the first Bolivian Bahá’í. She did not remain active, however, so Yvonne Liegois Cuellar, who became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941, is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. A French woman married to Arturo Cuellar Echazu, a Bolivian army officer, Yvonne Cuellar was titled the "Mother of Bolivia" by Shoghi Effendi.

February 2. On this date in 1941, Marina Núñez del Prado, a celebrated sculptor, became the first Bolivian Bahá’í. She did not remain active, however, so Yvonne Liegois Cuellar, who became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941, is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. A French woman married to Arturo Cuellar Echazu, a Bolivian army officer, Yvonne Cuellar was titled the "Mother of Bolivia" by Shoghi Effendi.

Born in France on March 11, 1896, Yvonne Cuellar and her husband, Arturo Cuellar, lived in La Paz, Bolivia, in the 1940s where they had an American boarder, Eleanor Adler, who was first Bahá’í pioneer to Bolivia. Both she and her husband became Bahá’ís and helped establish the first Baha'i community of La Paz. May 18. On this date in 1941, Yvonne Liegois Cuellar became a Bahá’í on May 18, 1941. Although Marina del Prado was the first Bolivian to become a Bahá’í, on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. Shoghi Effendi called her the "Mother of Bolivia". Arturo Cuellar would later become a Bahá’í in 1946 through his wife's efforts.

In 1953, the Cuellars moved to the United States but returned to Bolivia in 1956 at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of that country. In 1958 she traveled to France to help establish the inaugural National Spiritual Assembly, which was dissolved two years later through reports of Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qásim Faizi by the authority of the Custodians due to a majority of the Assembly's acceptance of Charles Mason Remey's claim to being the second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith subsequent to the death of Shoghi Effendi.

In 1968 the Cuellars once again moved to the United States. Yvonne Cullear died in Littleton, Colorado in December 1983.

October 16. On this date in 1979, the Universal House of Justice wrote the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia that there are a minimum of rituals in the Bahá'í Faith and no man-made dogmas.

October 16. On this date in 1979, the Universal House of Justice wrote the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia that there are a minimum of rituals in the Bahá'í Faith and no man-made dogmas.

1573. There Are a Minimum of Rituals in the Bahá'í Faith and No Man-Made Dogmas
"In response to your letter of 3rd September 1979 asking if there are dogmas and rites in the Bahá'í Faith, the Universal House of Justice has instructed us to convey its reply.
"A dogma is a principle, tenet or teaching, especially an authoritative teaching, and in these senses it is apparent that the Faith has 'dogmas'. The word is also used, however, to describe that body of rigid doctrines that have accumulated in a religion after the passing of its Founder; such man-made dogmas are entirely absent from the Bahá'í Faith, nor can it ever acquire them.
"Concerning rituals, the beloved Guardian's secretary wrote on his behalf to an individual believer on 24th June 1949:
'Bahá'u'lláh has reduced all ritual and form to an absolute minimum in His Faith. The few forms that there are--like those associated with the two longer obligatory daily prayers--are only symbols of the inner attitude. There is a wisdom in them and a great blessing, but we cannot force ourselves to understand or feel these things; that is why He gave us also the very short and simple prayer, for those who did not feel the desire to perform the acts associated with the other two.'
"Thus it can be seen that the Faith has certain simple rites prescribed by Bahá'u'lláh, such as the obligatory prayers, the marriage ceremony and the laws for the burial of the dead, but its teachings warn against developing them into a system of uniform and rigid rituals incorporating man-made forms and practices, such as exist in other religions where rituals usually consist of elaborate ceremonial practices performed by a member of the clergy. In another letter written on behalf of the Guardian his secretary stated:
'In these days the friends should, as much as possible, demonstrate through their deeds the independence of the Holy Faith of God, and its freedom from the customs, rituals and practices of a discredited and abrogated past.' (Translated from the Persian).
"In freeing the believers from the religious rituals of the past and from those customs which are contrary to Bahá'í principles, the institutions of the Faith should be careful not to press the friends to arbitrarily discard those local traditions which are harmless and often colourful characteristics of particular peoples and tribes. In 'The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh', on page 41, we read:
'Let there be no misgivings as to the animating purpose of the world-wide Law of Bahá'u'lláh. Far from aiming at the subversion of the existing foundations of society, it seeks to broaden its basis, to remold its institutions in a manner consonant with the needs of an ever-changing world. It can conflict with no legitimate allegiances, nor can it undermine essential loyalties. Its purpose is neither to stifle the flame of a sane and intelligent patriotism in men's hearts, nor to abolish the system of national autonomy so essential if the evils of excessive centralization are to be avoided. It does not ignore, nor does it attempt to suppress, the diversity of ethnical origins, of climate, of history, of language and tradition, of thought and habit, that differentiate the peoples and nations of the world....'"
(From a letter written of behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly

July 30. On this date in 1972, the Universal House of Justice described Local Spiritual Assemblies as "embryos of the majestic institutions ordained by Bahá'u'lláh in His Writings" listing tasks such as "to act as a loving shepherd to the Bahá'í flock...familiarize the Bahá'ís with its plans...encourage him...to contribute freely and regularly to the Fund."

July 30. On this date in 1972, the Universal House of Justice described Local Spiritual Assemblies as "embryos of the majestic institutions ordained by Bahá'u'lláh in His Writings" listing tasks such as "to act as a loving shepherd to the Bahá'í flock...familiarize the Bahá'ís with its plans...encourage him...to contribute freely and regularly to the Fund."

149. A Functioning Local Spiritual Assembly--Salient Objectives to be Attained
"In reply to your letter of July 14th asking guidance as to what is a functioning Local Spiritual Assembly, we offer you the following comments:
"Local Spiritual Assemblies are at the present newly-born institutions, struggling for the most part to establish themselves both in the Bahá'í community and in the world. They are as yet only embryos of the majestic institutions ordained by Bahá'u'lláh in His Writings. This is also true of National Spiritual Assemblies. In the following passage written by the Secretary of the Guardian on his behalf this point is elucidated:
'The Bahá'í administration is only the first shaping of what in future will come to be the social life and laws of community living. As yet the believers are only first beginning to grasp and practice it properly. So we must have patience if at times it seems a little self-conscious and rigid in its workings. It is because we are learning something very difficult but very wonderful--how to live together as a community of Bahá'ís, according to the glorious teachings.' (From a letter dated October 14, 1941 to an individual believer)
"What we find expounded in the writings of our Faith is the lofty station Local Spiritual Assemblies must attain in their gradual and at times painful development. In encouraging these assemblies to attain this aim, there is no harm in the National Spiritual Assembly mentioning certain minimum requirements from time to time, provided it is clear that non-attainment of such standards, which by their very nature must be continuously revised with changing conditions, do not justify the withdrawal of recognition from any weak Assemblies. It would not be profitable therefore for the Universal House of Justice to lay down universal minimum standards for properly-functioning Local Spiritual Assemblies, as these must necessarily differ from country to country, and even from district to district within the same country in the process of the evolution of these Assemblies into Houses of Justice, as envisaged by Bahá'u'lláh.
"Among the more salient objectives to be attained by the Local Spiritual Assembly in its process of development to full maturity are to act as a loving shepherd to the Bahá'í flock, promote unity and concord among the friends, direct the teaching work, protect the Cause of God, arrange for Feasts, Anniversaries and regular meetings of the community, familiarize the Bahá'ís with its plans, invite the community to offer its recommendations, promote the welfare of youth and children, and participate, as circumstances permit, in humanitarian activities. In its relationship to the individual believer, the Assembly should continuously invite and encourage him to study the Faith, to deliver its glorious message, to live in accordance with its teachings, to contribute freely and regularly to the Fund, to participate in community activities, and to seek refuge in the Assembly for advice and help, when needed."
(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia, July 30, 1972)

May 18. On this date in 1941, Yvonne Liegois Cuellar, a French woman married to Arturo Cuellar Echazu, a Bolivian army officer, became a Bahá’í in Bolivia.

 

May 18. On this date in 1941, Yvonne Liegois Cuellar, a French woman married to Arturo Cuellar Echazu, a Bolivian army officer, became a Bahá’í in Bolivia.

 

Although Marina del Prado was the first Bolivian to become a Bahá’í, on February 2, 1941, she did not remain active, so Yvonne Cuellar is recognized as the first Bahá’í in Bolivia. Shoghi Effendi called her the "Mother of Bolivia". Arturo Cuellar would later become a Bahá’í in 1946 through his wife's efforts.

 

Born in France on March 11, 1896, Yvonne Cuellar and her husband, Arturo Cuellar, lived in La Paz, Bolivia, in the 1940s where they had an American boarder, Eleanor Adler, who was first Baha'i pioneer to Bolivia. Both she and her husband became Baha'is and helped establish the first Baha'i community of La Paz. In 1953, the Cuellars moved to the United States but returned to Bolivia in 1956 at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of that country.

 

 In 1958 she traveled to France to help establish the inaugural National Spiritual Assembly, which was dissolved two years later through reports of Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qásim Faizi by the authority of the Custodians due to a majority of the Assembly's acceptance of Charles Mason Remey's claim to being the second Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith subsequent to the death of Shoghi Effendi.

 

In 1968 the Cuellars once again moved to the United States. Yvonne Cullear died in Littleton, Colorado in December 1983.