The Faith is as yet in its infancy. Despite its emergence
from obscurity, even now the vast majority of the human race remains ignorant
of its existence; moreover, the vast majority of its adherents are relatively
new Baha'is. The change implied by this new stage in its evolution is that
whereas heretofore this tender plant was protected in its obscurity from the
attention of external elements, it has now become exposed. This exposure
invites close observation, and that observation will eventually lead to opposition
in various quarters. So far from adopting a carefree attitude, the community
must be conscious of the necessity to present a correct view of itself and an
accurate understanding of its purpose to a largely skeptical public. A greater
effort, a greater care must now be exercised to ensure its protection against
the malice of the ignorant and the unwisdom of its friends. (The Universal
House of Justice, letter dated 29 December 1988, addressed to the ‘Followers of
Baha'u'llah in the United States of America’)
