The “community of man” needs to be taught “the manners of Heaven and spiritual ways of life”

The community of man hath the right to defend and protect its rights. Furthermore, this is defined as the imposition of a legal punishment, not as the wreaking of vengeance.... It is incumbent upon human society to expend all its forces on the education of the people, and to copiously water men's hearts with the sacred streams that pour down from the Realm of the All-Merciful, and to teach them the manners of Heaven and spiritual ways of life, until every member of the community of man will be schooled, refined, and exalted to such a degree of perfection that the very committing of a shameful act will seem in itself the direst infliction and most agonizing of punishments, and man will fly in terror and seek refuge in his God from the very idea of crime, as something far  harsher and more grievous than the punishment assigned to it...  

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (quoted in a Memorandum from the Research department of the Universal House of Justice dated 16 October 1994)

Baha’i communities should become renowned for “their demonstration of… unity”

Unity of mankind is the pivotal principle of His Revelation; Bahá'í communities must therefore become renowned for their demonstration of this unity. In a world becoming daily more divided by factionalism and group interests, the Bahá'í community must be distinguished by the concord and harmony of its relationships. The coming of age of the human race must be foreshadowed by the mature, responsible understanding of human problems and the wise administration of their affairs by these same Bahá'í communities. The practice and development of such Bahá'í characteristics are the responsibility alike of individual Bahá'ís and administrative institutions, although the greatest opportunity to foster their growth rests with the Local Spiritual Assemblies. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message to the Baha’is of the world, Naw-Ruz, 1974; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

Martha Root at the House of the Báb in Shiraz, 1930

Zoroaster met some Prophets of Israel

Even Zoroaster came to this land (Holy Land). That lofty figure also made a trip to this region and met some of the Israeli prophets... 

- Shoghi Effendi  (Translated from Persian, ‘Tablet of Twin Monuments; quoted by quoted by Hand of the Cause Zikrullah Khadem in ‘Carmel: The Mountain of God and the Tablet of Carmel’ published in ‘Zikrullah Khadem, The Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God’, by Javidukht Khadem)

How to become “an angel of the Lord”

Man has two aspects or natures - merciful or divine and an animal aspect. The merciful aspect is peace, happiness, love and faithfulness. But the animal aspect is strife, discord, war and battle. If the animal aspect dominates in man, he becomes lower than an animal. If the divine aspect dominates, he becomes an angel of the Lord. The teachings of the Prophets were for this: that the animal aspect may be conquered, so that the souls that are captives of nature may be saved and the heavenly aspect may dominate. That divine aspect consists of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It consists of 'the second birth.' He who possesses that aspect is a well-wisher of all; he is kind to all the creatures; he has no bitterness toward any creed, and he shuns no religion. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (from a talk given at the Universalist Church in Washington DC, April 21, 1912; Star of the West, vol.19, no. 3, June 1928)

The Shrine of the Báb – “High, immeasurably high is this Shrine, the lofty, the most great, the most wondrous”

This magnificent Edifice [the Shrine of the Bab] stands facing Baha'u'llah's Most Great Prison, extolled by the Pen of Glory as the "Heaven of heavens," and looks toward the Qiblih of the people of Baha, that Spot within the Vale of Security and Peace, the Plain of 'Akka, round which circle in adoration the Concourse on high. To her right are the hills of Galilee in which nestles the childhood home of the beautiful Christ, and the locality by the banks of the Jordan River where He who is the Spirit [Jesus] was called to prophethood; and on her left, on the crest of Carmel, are to be found the Cave of Elijah and the exalted Spot which was blessed by the footsteps of the Most Holy Abha Beauty and was ennobled through the revelation of the Tablet of Carmel from the treasury of the Pen of Glory. Behind her stand the twin Mounts of Zion and Olivet and the holy and ancient city of Jerusalem, within whose walls lie the site of the martyrdom and the burial place of Jesus Christ, the seat of the Throne of David, the glorious Temple of Solomon and the Aqsa Mosque, which ranks third among the shrines of the Islamic world. Beyond these there rises Mount Sinai, the cradle of the Jewish Faith, that Sacred Mount, the Paran of light, that holy land where He Who conversed with God heard the Voice from the Blessed Tree. And further beyond lies the Arabian Peninsula, the land of Hijaz, the cradle of the Muhammadan Dispensation, with the two cities of Batha and Yathrib, the noble Mecca and the bright Medina, one enshrining the Qiblih of Islam and the other the resting-place of Him Who is the Lord of mankind [Muhammad] - upon Him be countless salutations and praise.

High, immeasurably high is this Shrine, the lofty, the most great, the most wondrous. Exalted, immeasurably exalted is this Resting-place, the fragrant, the pure, the luminous, the transcendent. Glorified, immeasurably glorified is this Spot, the most august, the most holy, the most blessed, the most sublime. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (from a letter dated Naw-Ruz 1955, translated by the Universal House of Justice; quoted by Hand of the Cause Zikrullah Khadem in ‘Carmel: The Mountain of God and the Tablet of Carmel’ published in ‘Zikrullah Khadem, The Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God’, by Javidukht Khadem)

How to make ourselves a “repository” for the Holy Spirit -- to receive its “healing and quickening rays”

There is nothing that brings success in the Faith like service. Service is the magnet which draws the divine confirmations. Thus, when a person is active, they are blessed by the Holy Spirit. When they are inactive, the Holy Spirit cannot find a repository in their being, and thus they are deprived of its healing and quickening rays. 

-Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 12 July 1952 to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Funds and Contributions)

The education of children in the teachings of the Faith – “should include moral instruction by word and example and active participation by children in Bahá'í community life.”

The education of children in the teachings of the Faith must be regarded as an essential obligation of every Bahá'í parent, every local and national community and it must become a firmly established Bahá'í activity during the course of the Plan. It should include moral instruction by word and example and active participation by children in Bahá'í community life. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (from a message to the Baha’is of the world, Naw-Ruz, 1974; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

How one’s attitude should be towards his/her Local Spiritual Assembly

The friends are called upon to give their wholehearted support and co-operation to the Local Spiritual Assembly, first by voting for the membership and then by energetically pursuing its plans and programmes, by turning to it in time of trouble or difficulty, by praying for its success and taking delight in its rise to influence and honour. This great prize, this gift of God within each community must be cherished, nurtured, loved, assisted, obeyed and prayed for. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (from a message to the Baha’is of the world, Naw-Ruz, 1974; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

True joy – for yourself and others

…the bounty of true joy, a spiritual condition that belongs to those who, irrespective of their material and social circumstances, strive to draw ever nearer to God and to understand and promote His Word; who are concerned with the prosperity of all people; who tread selflessly the path of justice and equity; and who allow no impediment, not even oppression or imprisonment, to deprive them of this inner joy. It is this state of true joy that stirs the heart, makes the spirit soar, increases human powers, strengthens the mind, creates hope, and kindles the flame of longing to take purposeful action for the common good. So it is that, for Bahá’ís, bringing joy to the hearts is among the most praiseworthy of deeds. In the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “As much as ye can, bring joy and happiness to the hearts and seek felicity for all humankind.” 

- The Universal House of Justice  (from a message dated Naw-Ruz 2015 to the Baha’is of Iran)

Participation in the discourses of society – such as “governance, the environment, climate change, the equality of men and women, [and] human rights”

Efforts to participate in the discourses of society constitute a third area of action in which the friends are engaged. Such participation can occur at all levels of society, from the local to the international, through various types of interactions—from informal discussions on Internet forums and attendance at seminars, to the dissemination of statements and contact with government officials. What is important is for Bahá’ís to be present in the many social spaces in which thinking and policies evolve on any one of a number of issues — on governance, the environment, climate change, the equality of men and women, human rights, to mention a few — so that they can, as occasions permit, offer generously, unconditionally and with utmost humility the teachings of the Faith and their experience in applying them as a contribution to the betterment of society. Of course, care should be exercised that the friends involved in this area of activity avoid overstating the Bahá’í experience and drawing attention to fledging efforts of the Bahá’í community which are best left to come to maturity without interference, such as the junior youth spiritual empowerment program. The development of instruments, methods and approaches for this area of activity is a chief concern of the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity, based here at the Bahá’í World Centre. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 4 January 2009 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to NSA of Australia)