The original of "Some Answered Questions" in
Persian is preserved in the Holy Land; its text was read in full and corrected
by ‘Abdu'l-Bahá Himself. Unfortunately, Abdu'l-Bahá did not read and
authenticate all transcripts of His other talks, some of which have been
translated into various languages and published. For many of His addresses
included in "The Promulgation of Universal Peace" and "Paris
Talks", for example, no original authenticated text has yet been found.
However, the Guardian allowed such compilations to continue to be used by the
friends. In the future each talk will have to be identified and those which are
unauthenticated will have to be clearly distinguished from those which form a
part of Bahá'í Scripture. This does not mean that the unauthenticated talks
will have to cease to be used -- merely that the degree of authenticity of
every document will have to be known and understood. (From a letter dated 23
March 1987 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice included in a
Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice,
dated 28 March 1996 attached to a letter written on behalf of the Universal
House of Justice to an individual believer, dated 22 October, 1996)
For "Abdu'l-Bahá in London", no original
transcripts exist, and the following letter was written on behalf of Shoghi
Effendi in this regard:
Regarding "’Abdu'l-Bahá in London": Nothing can be
considered scripture for which we do not have an original text. A verbatim
record in Persian of His talks would of course be more reliable than one in
English, because He was not always accurately interpreted. However such a book
is of value, and certainly has its place in our Literature. (From a letter dated 24 October 1947 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to
the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, published in
"Unfolding Destiny: The Messages from the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith to
the Bahá'í Community of the British Isles"; London: Bahá'í Publishing Trust,
1981)
(Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, dated 28 March 1996 attached to a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, dated 22 October, 1996)
(Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, dated 28 March 1996 attached to a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, dated 22 October, 1996)