The divinely ordained institution of the Local Spiritual
Assembly operates at the first levels of human society and is the basic
administrative unit of Bahá'u'lláh's World Order. It is concerned with
individuals and families whom it must constantly encourage to unite in a
distinctive Bahá'í society, vitalized and guarded by the laws, ordinances and
principles of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation. It protects the Cause of God; it acts
as the loving shepherd of the Bahá'í flock.
Strengthening and development of Local Spiritual Assemblies
is a vital objective... Success in this one goal will greatly enrich the
quality of Bahá'í life, will heighten the capacity of the Faith to deal with
entry by troops which is even now taking place and, above all, will demonstrate
the solidarity and ever-growing distinctiveness of the Bahá'í community,
thereby attracting more and more thoughtful souls to the Faith and offering a
refuge to the leaderless and hapless millions of the spiritually bankrupt,
moribund present order. (The Universal House of Justice, from a letter dated
Naw-Ruz 1974 to the Bahá'ís of the World; The Compilation of Compilations, vol.
II, Local Spiritual Assemblies)
