March 1995: Baha’i representation at Commonwealth Day, London, England

Hugh Adamson, representing the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom, is introduced to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a service for Commonwealth Day, Westminster Abbey, London, March, 1995. 

(The Baha'i World 1994-1995)

Institute Coordinators: - children’s classes, junior youth groups and study circles

-- Some chronological excerpts from messages of the Universal House of Justice and the International Teaching Centre

The concept of cluster institute coordinator
... The coordinator needs to operate at the level of implementation, carrying out day-to-day plans and activities and ensuring that the basic function of the institute is performed- this, with the assistance of the tutors and any staff if necessary. The board oversees the institute process as a whole, largely through the periodic reports of the coordinator and through occasional consultations. It will want to make itself readily accessible to the coordinator, providing the atmosphere in which he or she can share ideas, seek the board 's views on the possibilities and challenges facing the institute, and benefit from its advice. To carry out its role, the board does not need to meet frequently, as does a committee charged with undertaking a set of specific tasks.

(From a letter dated 21 December 2001 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to NSA of Brazil, quoted by the International Teaching Centre, ‘Building Momentum: A Coherent Approach to Growth’, a document prepared by the International Teaching Centre at the instruction of the Universal House of Justice, April 2003)

Cluster institute coordinator & ATC
A critically important aspect which cannot be deferred for long is the significant investment of time required from the cluster agencies, in particular the training institute coordinator and the secretary of the Area Teaching Committee—occasionally referred to as the cluster development facilitator.
(The International Teaching Centre, ‘Impact of Growth on Administration Processes,’ a document prepared by the International Teaching Centre at the instruction of the Universal House of Justice, July 2005)

The Báb explains why “the dead body should be treated with the utmost honour and respect"

As this physical frame is the throne of the inner temple, whatever occurs to the former is felt by the latter. In reality that which takes delight in joy or is saddened by pain is the inner temple of the body, not the body itself. Since this physical body is the throne whereon the inner temple is established, God hath ordained that the body be preserved to the extent possible, so that nothing that causeth repugnance may be experienced. The inner temple beholdeth its physical frame, which is its throne. Thus, if the latter is accorded respect, it is as if the former is the recipient. The converse is likewise true.

Therefore, it hath been ordained that the dead body should be treated with the utmost honour and respect.
- The Báb  (From the Persian Bayan, ‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb)

1994: Members of the Sister-to Sister Travel Teaching Group

They taught the Baha'i Faith in southern Africa in June 1994. 

(The Baha'i World 1994-1995)

Better “to guide a soul than to possess all that lies between East and West”

It is better for a man to guide a soul than to possess all that lies between East and West. Likewise better is guidance for him who is guided than all the things that exist on earth, for by reason of this guidance he will, after his death, gain admittance into Paradise, whereas by reason of the things of the world below, he will, after his death, receive his deserts. Hence God desireth that all men should be guided aright through the potency of the Words of Him Whom God shall make manifest. However, such as are conceited will not suffer themselves to be guided. They will be debarred from the Truth, some by reason of their learning, others on account of their glory and power, and still others due to reasons of their own, none of which shall be of any avail at the hour of death.
- The Báb  (From the Persian Bayan, ‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb)

The title of “starship”: its application to a believer – the Báb explains

The acts of Him Whom God shall make manifest are like unto the sun, while the works of men, provided they conform to the good-pleasure of God, resemble the stars or the moon... Thus, should the followers of the Bayán observe the precepts of Him Whom God shall make manifest at the time of His appearance, and regard themselves and their own works as stars exposed to the light of the sun, then they will have gathered the fruits of their existence; otherwise the title of ‘starship’ will not apply to them. Rather it will apply to such as truly believe in Him, to those who pale into insignificance in the day-time and gleam forth with light in the night season.
- The Báb  (From the Persian Bayan, ‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb)

The stages of the spiritual quest described by Baha’u’llah in an epistle known as the Javáhiru’l-Asrár -- the “gems” or “essences” of mysteries

·         “the Garden of Search”,
·         “the City of Love and Rapture”,
·         “the City of Divine Unity”,
·         “the Garden of Wonderment”,
·         “the City of Absolute Nothingness”,
·          “the City of Immortality”, and
·           “the City that hath no name or description”
(Book: ‘Gems of Divine Mysteries, by Baha’u’llah, Bahá’í World Centre, 2002)