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.
(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)
