“the initial stages in the unfoldment of the Golden Age of the Bahá’í Era”: - “the furthermost limits in the organization of human society”

• The emergence of a world community,
• the consciousness of world citizenship,
• the founding of a world civilization and culture—

all of which must synchronize with the initial stages in the unfoldment of the Golden Age of the Bahá’í Era—should, by their very nature, be regarded, as far as this planetary life is concerned, as the furthermost limits in the organization of human society, though man, as an individual, will, nay must indeed as a result of such a consummation, continue indefinitely to progress and develop. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Unfoldment of World Civilization’, included in ‘The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh)

Stories about Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and others – pdf downloadable

Other Compilations...

References to the House of Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdad and its designation as “a center of pilgrimage”

The House of Baha'u'llah in Baghdad after
restoration in early 1930's

Within its walls

• the “Most Great House of God,”
• His “Footstool” and the “Throne of His Glory,”
• “the Cynosure of an adoring world,”
• the “Lamp of Salvation between earth and heaven,”
• the “Sign of His remembrance to all who are in heaven and on earth,”
• enshrining the “Jewel whose glory hath irradiated all creation,”
• the “Standard” of His Kingdom,
• the “Shrine round which will circle the concourse of the faithful” was irrevocably founded and permanently consecrated.
• Upon it, by virtue of its sanctity as
• Bahá’u’lláh’s “Most Holy Habitation” and
• “Seat of His transcendent glory,”
• was conferred the honor of being regarded as a center of pilgrimage second to none except the city of ‘Akká, His “Most Great Prison,” in whose immediate vicinity His holy Sepulcher, the Qiblih of the Bahá’í world, is enshrined.

 - Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

June 15, 1955: Festival of Faith, San Francisco

Photograph taken during the reading of prayers of all Faiths at the Festival of Faith, San Francisco, June 15, 1955, preceding the Tenth Anniversary celebration of United Nations. Standing at the far right is Arthur L. Dahl, Jr., who read the Bahá’í prayer. In the background is the 1500-voice choir and the UN flag. 

(Baha’i News, August 1955)

“This is what is worthy of the Bahá’ís” – counsel from ‘Abdu’l-Baha

This is what is worthy of the Bahá’ís: that they be infinitely kind to one another and ready to lay down their lives for each other. For service to the loved ones of God is servitude to His threshold, and consideration shown to the friends is one of the hallmarks of the beloved of the All-Merciful. God, in the loftiness and sublimity of His Lordship, is exalted above and completely independent of all things. The servitude of God’s servants, however, is acceptable and pleasing in His sight. Praised be God that ye have attained thereunto. The recompense for this praiseworthy deed and laudable effort is with Him Who is the Almighty, the Ever-Forgiving. And this recompense consisteth of heavenly confirmation, of divine assistance and gracious favour. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet; Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks; online Baha’i Reference Library of the Baha’i World Center)