New Site: Messages de la Maison universelle de justice (traduction française)

Messages from the Universal House of Justice - French Translation

Consolidation process of teaching a seeker: Nurturing “the seeker’s newly awakened faith” - the Guardian explains

• Let him remember the example set by ‘Abdu’l Bahá, and His constant admonition to shower such kindness upon the seeker, and exemplify to such a degree the spirit of the teachings he hopes to instill into him, that the recipient will be spontaneously impelled to identify himself with the Cause embodying such teachings.
• Let him refrain, at the outset, from insisting on such laws and observances as might impose too severe a strain on the seeker’s newly awakened faith, and endeavor to nurse him, patiently, tactfully, and yet determinedly, into full maturity, and aid him to proclaim his unqualified acceptance of whatever has been ordained by Bahá’u’lláh.
• Let him, as soon as that stage has been attained, introduce him to the body of his fellow-believers, and seek, through constant fellowship and active participation in the local activities of his community, to enable him to contribute his share to the enrichment of its life, the furtherance of its tasks, the consolidations of its interests, and the coordination of its activities with those of its sister communities.
• Let him not be content until he has infused into his spiritual child so deep a longing as to impel him to arise independently, in his turn, and devote his energies to the quickening of other souls, and the upholding of the laws and principles laid down by his newly adopted Faith. 

- Shoghi Effendi (‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

The “spiritual obligation” concerning “the mandate of teaching”: - “every bearer of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh should consider it not only an obligation but a privilege to scatter far and wide the seeds of His Faith”

Upon every participator in this concerted effort, unprecedented in the annals of the American Bahá’í community, rests the spiritual obligation to make of the mandate of teaching, so vitally binding upon all, the all-pervading concern of his life.

• In his daily activities and contacts,
• in all his journeys, whether for business or otherwise,
• on his holidays and outings,
• and on any mission he may be called upon to undertake,

every bearer of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh should consider it not only an obligation but a privilege to scatter far and wide the seeds of His Faith, and to rest content in the abiding knowledge that whatever be the immediate response to that Message, and however inadequate the vehicle that conveyed it, the power of its Author will, as He sees fit, enable those seeds to germinate, and in circumstances which no one can foresee enrich the harvest which the labor of His followers will gather. 

- Shoghi Effendi (‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

Some of the “signs” of Bahá’u’lláh "for the possessors of insight" – explained by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

• He (Bahá’u’lláh) sounded forth the second trumpet and created for you the great Resurrection Day and gathered the holy souls in the Supreme Kingdom. Verily, therein are signs for the possessors of insight.
• And some of His signs are the unfoldment of prophecies and glad tidings; the appearance of proofs and references; the expectations of the pure and devout—and they are of those who attain.
• And some of His signs are His lights that are shining from the horizon of oneness; His rays that are beaming from the glorious dawning-point, and the declaration of the great glad tidings by His forerunner (the Báb). Verily, therein is a clear evidence for those who reason.
• And some of His signs are His manifestation and His appearance; His firmness and existence among the witnessing people in all the cities and among the tribes who attacked Him from all sides like unto wolves.
• And some of His signs are His steadfastness before the great nations and powerful governments, even before a host of enemies who shed blood and strive to wreck the divine edifice in every time and place. Verily, therein is a thought for those who reflect upon the signs of God.
• And some of His signs are the wonders of His explanations; the eloquence of His utterances; the rapidity of revealing His words, verses, addresses, communes, interpretations of the symbols and illustrations of the parables. By thy life, the Cause is evident and clear to those who see with the eyes of justice!

New Site: Selected Readings for Devotional Portion of Nineteen-Day Feast

New selections will be posted two days before each upcoming Feast day.

“developing the capacity to extend the community-building process further”

The reality that there is abundant receptivity in the world at large is not in doubt. Progress depends on developing the capacity to extend the community-building process further still. And so all eyes turn to the months ahead. The devotion to the Twin Divine Luminaries and to the well-being of humanity which inspired your noble exertions thus far must sustain you in the coming six cycles.

We urge everyone who worked to bring about this success to hasten now and gather again to reflect and to consult, and to determine how best to apply, in each unique setting, all that your experience has taught you:

• how an expanding nucleus of friends can cultivate a growing pattern of activity;
• how children can advance to the next grade and junior youth to the succeeding text, further developing their moral and spiritual qualities;
• how institute courses can yield much-needed skills and capacities;
• how the path of service can widen to accommodate large numbers;
• how real hope for the betterment of society can be demonstrated in action;
• and how all of God’s peoples can be enabled to take inspiration from His new Revelation,
• and souls who are receptive can be invited to identify with the Cause of the Abhá Beauty.

In this continuing period of special potency, at an hour when the world seems powerless in the face of overwhelming peril and souls have succumbed to dismay and despair, Bahá’u’lláh has shown us another glimpse of what the community that bears His name can accomplish through courage—even heroism—in the discharge of its God-given mission. We will pray earnestly in the Holy Shrines for His unfailing confirmations to surround every child and every youth, every woman and every man, every family and every community that treasures His love in their hearts. 

- The Universal House of Justice (From a message dated 8 November 2019 to the Bahá’ís of the World; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 2001-2022)