January 31, 2015
January 28, 2015
Qualities that the Universal House of Justice beseeches and implores Baha’u’llah to bestow upon the Baha’is worldwide
…we
turn our hearts in frequent prayer to Baha’u’llah and beseech Him to strengthen
His followers through His unfailing grace. In such moments, we implore Him to
illumine their souls with the light of knowledge and faith. Let them not underestimate the power inherent in the
system they are putting in place for the propagation of His Faith, nor mistake
the true purpose of the global enterprise on which they have embarked. Let them
not deviate from the path of learning on which they are set, nor be distracted
by the ephemeral pursuits of a bewildered society. Let them not fail to
appreciate the value of the culture now taken root in the community that
promotes the systematic study of the Creative Word in small groups in order to
build capacity for service. Let them never forget the imperative to tend to the
needs of the children of the world and offer them lessons that develop their
spiritual faculties and lay the foundations of a noble and upright character.
Let them come to realize the full significance of their efforts to help young
people form a strong moral identity in their early adolescent years and empower
them to contribute to the well-being of their communities. And let them rejoice
at having learned through consistent, systematic action how to establish a
rhythm of growth that pays due attention to the essential elements of
expansion, consolidation, reflection and planning. May they one and all be
endowed with constancy and fidelity and be granted the courage to make whatever
sacrifices are needed to ensure the resounding success of the Plan. By the rectitude
of their conduct, the sincerity of their love for their fellow human beings,
and the ardour of their desire to serve the peoples of the world, may they
vindicate the truth proclaimed by Baha’u’llah that humanity is one. May they be
diligent in their efforts to establish ties of friendship that show no regard
for prevalent social barriers and ceaselessly endeavour to bind hearts together
in the love of God. That they may recognize the profound implications of their
mission is our fervent hope. That they may not falter in accomplishing their
ambitious goals, no matter how severe the crises engulfing the world around
them, is our most heartfelt prayer at the Sacred Threshold.
(The Universal
House of Justice, from a message dated 20 October 2008 to the Baha’is of the
World)
January 25, 2015
The “true spirit of the teachings on the subject of sex”
We have your letter...asking about a Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
on the subject of embracing. We have seen no such Tablet, but we have seen
reference to a pilgrim's note and the comment of the beloved Guardian on it.
The pilgrim's note reports the Master as saying: 'Women and
men must not embrace each other when not married, or not about to be married.
They must not kiss each other... If they wish to greet each other, or comfort
each other, they may take each other by the hand.' In a letter to an individual
written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi it is said: 'The Master's words to... which
you quoted, can certainly be taken as the true spirit of the teachings on the
subject of sex. We must strive to achieve this exalted standard.' (October 19,
1947)
(The Universal House of Justice, from a letter dated February 10, 1974 to
the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States,; Bahá'í National
Review, June, 1979; partially cited in compilation: Lights of Guidance)
January 23, 2015
Spiritual healing is “a most valuable adjunct” to material healing
With regard to your question concerning spiritual healing:
Such a healing constitutes, indeed, one of the most effective methods of relieving
a person from either his mental or physical pains and sufferings. 'Abdu'l-Bahá
has in His "Paris Talks" emphasized its importance by stating that it
should be used as an essential means for effecting a complete physical cure.
Spiritual healing, however, is not and cannot be a substitute for material
healing, but it is a most valuable adjunct to it. Both are, indeed, essential
and complementary.
(From a letter dated
16 February 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer;
The Compilation of Compilations,
vol. I, Health, Healing and Nutrition)
January 21, 2015
Applicability of the Laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas – clarification by the Universal House of Justice
The Universal House of Justice
Baha’i World Center
Department of the Secretariat
9 May 1993
To all National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Baha'i Friends,
Applicability of the Laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas
In the introduction to the English translation of the
Kitab-i-Aqdas it is stated that its publication does not increase the number of
laws which are binding on Baha'is. As an assistance to those friends who may
not have a clear understanding of the matter, the Universal House of Justice
has instructed us to send you the attached copy of a letter which it wrote to
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Iceland, on 9 June 1974, to
identify those laws which were not then universally applicable. The law of
Huququ'llah was applied universally at Ridvan 1992. In due course, the
Universal House of Justice will announce further applications of the laws when
the friends have had the opportunity of familiarizing themselves with the Most
Holy Book and when it is propitious to do so. National Spiritual Assemblies are
asked to share this letter and its enclosure with the friends under their
jurisdiction.
With loving Baha'i greetings,
For Department of the Secretariat
January 18, 2015
The Baha'i Administrative Order: “the nucleus” and “the very pattern of the New World Order"
Throughout the entire planet the devoted followers of
Baha'u'llah are labouring to develop further the Baha'i Administrative Order
described by the Guardian "not only as the nucleus but the very pattern of
the New World Order", thus setting the foundation for a world civilization
destined to yield its dazzling splendour in the centuries to come. They do so notwithstanding
the conditions of turmoil and disorder alluded to by Baha'u'llah in affirming that
"the world's equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence
of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind's ordered life hath been
revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System-the like
of which mortal eyes have never witnessed."
(The Universal House of Justice, from a
message dated 25 March 2007 to the Baha’is of the World)
January 16, 2015
The equality of men and women is “a universal spiritual truth”
…the equality of men and women is not a Western construct
but a universal spiritual truth — a statement about human nature — that was
promulgated by Bahá’u’lláh nearly one hundred and fifty years ago in His native
Iran. That women should enjoy equal rights with men is a requirement of
justice. It is a principle consonant with the highest standard of purity and
sanctity, whose application strengthens family life and is essential to the
regeneration and progress of any nation. Indeed, peace in the world and the
advancement of civilization depend on its realization.
(The Universal House of
Justice, from a message dated 20 June 2008 addressed to the Baha’is in Iran)
January 13, 2015
January 11, 2015
January 10, 2015
Last photograph of the Greatest Holy Leaf
Last photograph of the Greatest Holy Leaf, taken by Effie Baker
January 9, 2015
Reasons for the uniqueness of the World Order of Baha'u'llah – “without precedent in human history”
The World Order of Baha'u'llah is the divinely ordained
system for which nations and peoples so desperately search. Hailed by the Báb
in the Persian Bayan, its foundational features prescribed by Baha'u'llah
Himself, this Order is without precedent in human history for its standard of
justice and its commitment to the practical realization of the oneness of
mankind, as well as for its capacity to promote change and the advancement of
world civilization. It provides the means by which the Divine Will illumines
the path of human progress and guides the eventual establishment of the Kingdom
of God on earth.
(The Universal House of
Justice, from a message dated 25 March 2007 to the Baha’is of the World)
January 7, 2015
Comparison of the stage of growth reached by the Cause of God at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus and the ascension of Baha’u’llah
At the time His Holiness Jesus Christ was crucified, there
were eleven disciples and even they were doubting -- Peter heading them --
until Mary the Magdalene, that lioness of God, strengthened them and was the
cause of confirming them. Then consider how great were the results!
And now, His Holiness Baha’u’llah, when He ascended, had
half a million souls who were self-sacrificing and all were perfectly firm and
staunch! Consider what a marvelous potency this will exercise.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha,
from a talk, San Francisco, October 5, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 10, no. 13,
November 4, 1919) (To read the entire talk please visit: Talks of
‘Abdu’l-Baha)
January 3, 2015
The Oneness of Humanity - theme of the Second World Congress
January 1, 2015
The 5-pointed star “…is the symbol of our Faith.”
The
9-pointed star is not a part of the teachings of our Faith, but only used as an
emblem representing "9".... Strictly speaking the 5-pointed star is
the symbol of our Faith…
(From a letter dated 28 October 1949, written on
behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; Baha’i News, no. 228,
February 1950; compilation: 'Lights of Guidance'; also included in a memorandum
by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, dated 24 January
1999)
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