June 30

…in the best democracies nowadays the driving incentive in elections is the wish of each politician to obtain power so as to be able to carry out the program that he particularly favors—an election becomes a competition which the self-promoting candidates either “win” or “lose.” The electorate is treated as a mass to be swayed, by rhetoric and various forms of inducement, to support one or other candidate. In the Bahá’í system, however, the voters are the active force and the motive which impels them is to choose those individuals who are best suited to serve on the institution. The persons elected are passive in the electoral process (except in their role as voters) and accept election as an obligation to serve the community in response to the wish of the electorate. In other words, the systems differ in their essential spirit: one is a seeking for power, the other is an acceptance of responsibility for service. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 18 July 2000 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

June 29

Be not dismayed if your endeavors are dismissed as utopian by the voices that would oppose any suggestion of fundamental change. Trust in the capacity of this generation to disentangle itself from the embroilments of a divided society. To discharge your responsibilities, you will have to show forth courage, the courage of those who cling to standards of rectitude, whose lives are characterized by purity of thought and action, and whose purpose is directed by love and indomitable faith. As you dedicate yourselves to healing the wounds with which your peoples have been afflicted, you will become invincible champions of justice. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 8 January 2000, addressed to the Friends gathered at the Youth Congress in Paraguay)

June 28

With regard to the concept of the Bahá'í community as a model, one of the distinguishing features of our community is its "unshakeable consciousness of the oneness of mankind". This awareness is coupled with the commitment of the believers to endeavour to uphold spiritual principles "by which solutions can be found for every social problem", and the practice of which "induces an attitude, a dynamic, a will, an aspiration, which facilitate the discovery and implementation of practical measures". In keeping with the evolutionary nature of organic change, the Bahá'í community represents a model for the potential and gradual resolution of prejudices and other social ills, but cannot now present an example of achievement in absolute terms. We see in the Bahá'í community not only an example of diversity which is intrinsically attractive and hope inducing, but also the will and desire to work for change and the initial effects of such change, particularly in the discernible emergence of a new way of life and in the embryonic operation of the administrative and social structures being erected. Individual initiative is reinforced by the Bahá'í community at large and is channelled into constructive social action by the process of consultation. Clearly, the Bahá'í experience addresses problems at a fundamental level and realizes the means for their resolution; however, in presenting the Bahá'í community as a model, care must of course be taken to avoid giving the impression that all problems have been solved and all challenges met.
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 23 September 1986, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation ‘Agriculture and Rural Life’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice )

June 27

…because of the increasing need for translation of specific material, particularly in relation to growing scholarly interest in the Faith and its various Teachings, favorable consideration has been given to allowing wider use of provisional translations. Individual believers, of course, remain free to translate into English any of the Holy Writings for their own use. Such translations may also be published in circulars and journals without review other than by the editors of such publications. They may also be shared electronically. In all such cases they should be clearly identified as `provisional translations'. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 30 June 1999 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a number of National Spiritual Assemblies)

June 26

As to the Huqúq, it is payable on whatever is left over after deducting one's yearly expenses. However, any money or possession which is necessary in producing income for one's subsistence, and on which Huqúq hath once been paid is exempt from Huqúq. This exemption also applieth to a property on which Huqúq hath already been paid, and the income of which doth not exceed one's needs.... Disposition of the Huqúq, wholly or partly, is permissible, but this should be done by permission of the authority in the Cause to whom all must turn. 

- ‘Abdu'l-Bahá’  (From a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Huququ’llah)

June 25

According to the Bahá’í Teachings, marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and sexual relations are only permissible between a couple who are married to each other. This is set forth in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and in the authoritative statements of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and is not susceptible to change by the House of Justice. However, the Bahá’í community does not seek to impose its values on others and does not pass judgement on others on the basis of its own moral standards. Rather, Bahá’u’lláh enjoins the believers to manifest tolerance and respect towards all, and therefore, to regard those with a homosexual orientation with prejudice or disdain would be entirely against the spirit of the Faith.
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 22 December 2009 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

June 24

…another recruit to the ever-swelling army of the new Faith was the eminent scholar, Mírzá Ahmad-i-Azghandí, the most learned, the wisest and the most outstanding among the ‘ulamás of Khurásán, who, in anticipation of the advent of the promised Qá’im, had compiled above twelve thousand traditions and prophecies concerning the time and character of the expected Revelation, had circulated them among His fellow-disciples, and had encouraged them to quote them extensively to all congregations and in all meetings. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

June 23

In regard to your questions: The degree of rapidity with which human beings are to advance certainly depends on their own efforts; but he does not think God will permit man to annihilate himself. Too much evolution is behind him and too much before him for that! We should certainly not procrastinate for a moment. For almost a hundred years now the warnings of Bahá'u'lláh have been ringing in men's ears, and we have every reason to believe terrible things may still befall mankind, if they do not listen to the Divine solution proposed by God's Manifestation for this day. In this connection he is constantly pointing out to the Bahá'ís that their direct Bahá'í work -- teaching, perfecting the administration, propagating he Cause of God is their job and of immediate importance because, it is, so to speak, spiritually organic. What they are doing will release forces which will combat the terrible disintegration of society which we witness today in every field, political, economic or otherwise ...
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 5, 1947; Compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

June 22

Small wonder, then, that the Author of the Bahá’í Faith, and to a lesser degree its Herald, should have directed at the world’s supreme rulers and religious leaders the full force of Their Messages, and made them the recipients of some of Their most sublime Tablets, and invited them, in a language at once clear and insistent, to heed Their call. Small wonder that They should have taken the pains to unroll before their eyes the truths of Their respective Revelations, and should have expatiated on Their woes and sufferings. Small wonder that They should have stressed the preciousness of the opportunities which it was in the power of these rulers and leaders to seize, and should have warned them in ominous tones of the grave responsibilities which the rejection of God’s Message would entail, and should have predicted, when rebuffed and refused, the dire consequences which such a rejection involved. Small wonder that He Who is the King of kings and Vicegerent of God Himself should, when abandoned, contemned and persecuted, have uttered this epigrammatic and momentous prophecy: “From two ranks amongst men power hath been seized: kings and ecclesiastics.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated March 28, 1941, ‘The Promised Day Is Come’)

June 21

…Bahá'u'lláh has specified no procedures to be followed in meditation, and individual believers are free to do as they wish in this area, provided that they remain in harmony with the Teachings, but such activities are purely personal and should under no circumstances be confused with those actions which Bahá'u'lláh Himself considered to be of fundamental importance for our spiritual growth. Some believers may find that it is beneficial to them to follow a particular method of meditation, and they may certainly do so, but such methods should not be taught at Bahá'í Summer Schools or be carried out during a session of the School because, while they may appeal to some People, they may repel others. They have nothing to do with the Faith and should be kept quite separate so that enquirers will not be confused.
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 1 September 1983 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly)

June 20

It is striking how private and personal the most fundamental spiritual exercises of prayer and meditation are in the Faith. Bahá'ís do, of course, have meetings for devotions, as in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar or at Nineteen Day Feasts, but the daily Obligatory Prayers are ordained to be said in the privacy of one's chamber, and meditation on the Teachings is, likewise, a private individual activity, not a form of group therapy. In His talks 'Abdu'l-Bahá describes prayer as "conversation with God", and concerning meditation He says that "while you meditate you are speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit answers: the light breaks forth and reality is revealed." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 1 September 1983 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly)

June 19

Another famous advocate of the Cause of the Báb, even fiercer in zeal than Vahíd, and almost as eminent in rank, was Mullá Muhammad-‘Alíy-i-Zanjání, surnamed Hujjat… a vehement controversialist, of a bold and independent temper of mind, impatient of restraint, a man who had dared condemn the whole ecclesiastical hierarchy… he had more than once, through his superior talents and fervid eloquence, publicly confounded his orthodox Shí’ah adversaries. Such a person could not remain indifferent to a Cause that was producing so grave a cleavage among his countrymen. The disciple he sent to Shíráz to investigate the matter fell immediately under the spell of the Báb. The perusal of but a page of the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá, brought by that messenger to Hujjat, sufficed to effect such a transformation within him that he declared, before the assembled ‘ulamás of his native city, that should the Author of that work pronounce day to be night and the sun to be a shadow he would unhesitatingly uphold his verdict. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

June 18

It should not be overlooked, however, that the most powerful and effective teaching medium that has been found so far is the fireside meeting, because in the fireside meeting, intimate personal questions can be answered, and the student find the spirit of the Faith more abundant there.
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 11 December 1952 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Local Spiritual Assembly and an individual believer) The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Guidelines for Teaching)

June 17

The friends have every right to appeal to the Australian National Assembly and express their views that ... be allowed to teach people of all races as she has been doing; but in the mean time she should comply with the wishes of the National Assembly, because all Bahá'ís must learn to live according to the administrative principles of our Faith. If they don't, they only undermine the very institutions they are trying to create, and which we know, carry the solution to the world's problems. It is often difficult to follow this course, but it is the one 'Abdu'l-Bahá always asked the friends to follow; and obedience, even when we believe the instruction is not wise, brings in itself blessings from on high. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 29 November 1952 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, National Spiritual Assembly)

June 16

It is one of the essential teachings of the Faith that unity should be maintained in the home. Of course this does not mean that any member of the family has a right to influence the faith of any other member; and if this is realized by all the members, then it seems certain that unity would be feasible. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 6 July 1952 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)

June 15

He urges you to make up your minds to do great, great deeds for the Faith; the condition of the world is steadily growing worse, and your generation must provide the saints, heroes, martyrs and administrators of future years. With dedication and will-power you can rise to great heights! 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 2 October 1951, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to Louhelen School, Youth Session, published in "Bahá'í News" 253, March 1952; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)

June 14

He suggests that you daily pray to Bahá'u'lláh to let you meet a soul receptive to His Message. The power of prayer is very great, and attracts the Divine confirmations. He, also, will pray for your teaching work there.
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 30 September 1951 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional )

June 13

The time is sure to come and the signs are already apparent, when the various and distant members of this great world community will find their activities co-ordinated, their purpose unified, their efforts re-inforced and the effect of their combined efforts manifest throughout the world. May the Power of Bahá’u’lláh breathe the dynamic spirit of Life into the combined and systematized efforts of the friends the world over and revive through them the body of stricken humanity and give it the peace which it yearns for and which the world cannot give. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter to the Baha’is of Germany, dated 19 January 1923; ‘The Light of Divine Guidance, vol. 1’)

June 12

…it may be useful to recall that the laws and ordinances of this Dispensation Bahá'u'lláh has specifically characterized as "the breath of life unto all created things", as "the mightiest stronghold", as the "fruits" of His "Tree", as "the highest means for the maintenance of order in the world and the security of its peoples", as "the lamps of His wisdom and loving providence", as "the sweet-smelling savour of his garment", as the "keys" of His "mercy" to His creatures. "This book" (The Kitab-i-Aqdas), He Himself testifies, "is a heaven which we have adorned with the stars of Our commandments and prohibitions." (Shoghi Effendi, extracted from God Passes By and published in The Kitab-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book) 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 3 May 1994 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

June 11

Your concern about the future in these troubled times is understandable. There is every reason to expect that the world will experience travail and testing as never before, but we do not know what form these upheavals will take, when exactly they will come, how severe they will be, nor how long they will last. In a letter dated 30, September 1950 written on behalf of the beloved Guardian to an individual believer, it is stated:

“He does not feel that fear -- for ourselves or for others -- solves any problems, or enables us to better meet it if it ever does arise. We do not know what the future holds exactly, or how soon we may all pass through another ordeal worse than the last one.

The important aspect for the Bahá'ís is that their attitude and actions in response to the pending catastrophe be correct. We all know that the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh is the world's only salvation, and that our duty is to actively teach receptive souls, and to do our utmost to help in the consolidation of the institutions of the Faith. Only in this way can we contribute our share of servitude at His Threshold, and we should then leave the rest to Him. ...”
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 13 May 1980 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

June 10

He was also very pleased to see that the Cause is receiving newspaper publicity there, and you are winning the sympathetic interest of editors and people of importance. The Faith needs friends as well as adherents, and you should always endeavour to attract the hearts of enlightened leaders to its teachings. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 5 October 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Local Spiritual Assembly; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Teaching Prominent People)

June 9

'Abdu'l-Bahá defined the essential architectural character of the Bahá'í House of Worship as consisting of a nine-sided, circular building. All Houses of Worship, therefore, incorporate these design features and the Master's instructions guide the architects in the preparation of their unique, individual designs. The design of the first 'Ishqábád Temple, prepared by Ustád 'Ali-Akbar-i-Banná, was likewise influenced and inspired by 'Abdu'l-Bahá's archetypal design. Shoghi Effendi, in "God Passes By", p. 300, refers to the Master's intense personal interest in the construction of the 'Ishqábád House of Worship. He affirms that it was "fostered by Him at every stage in its development".
(Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice dated 23 May 1991) 

June 8

There are, as you truly say, many important admirers of the Faith at present in the U.S.A. -- and, indeed, in other countries, but it is unlikely such people will actually embrace the Cause; they are not ready to identify themselves with an as yet struggling Movement with a relatively small following; moreover, many such people would be unwilling to make the effort required to live up to Bahá'í standards of conduct! Still, it is excellent that we are winning more friends and admirers; this in itself helps the Cause and adds to its prestige, and gradually some of these people may actually make the sacrifice of entering its service.
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 25 February 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Teaching Prominent People)

June 7

Only God, the Creator of mankind and of each human soul, knows the purpose of His creation and exactly what, at each stage of its development, is required for its fulfilment. This purpose, through His great love, is conveyed to mankind by the Divine Manifestation. As Bahá’u’lláh affirms, “No man, however acute his perception, can ever hope to reach the heights which the wisdom and understanding of the Divine Physician have attained.” The Manifestation “doeth as He willeth” in establishing His laws and ordinances in accordance with human reality and His intended aims for individual and collective transformation. To recognize Bahá’u’lláh is to have faith in His authority to make the judgements necessary to guide the progress of humanity through the course of the dispensation.
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 22 December 2009 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

June 6

Bahá’ís believe that the true nature of the human being is spiritual and that following the Teachings of the Manifestation of God is the key to developing one’s true potential. “Through the Teachings of this Day Star of Truth,” Bahá’u’lláh states, “every man will advance and develop until he attaineth the station at which he can manifest all the potential forces with which his inmost true self hath been endowed.”  
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 22 December 2009 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

June 5

The nature of the planning process with which you will be helping the friends is in many ways unique. At its core it is a spiritual process in which communities and institutions strive to align their pursuits with the Will of God. The Major Plan of God is at work and the forces it generates impel humanity towards its destiny. In their own plans of action, the institutions of the Faith must seek to gain insight into the operation of these great forces, explore the potentialities of the people they serve, measure the resources and strengths of their communities, and take practical steps to enlist the unreserved participation of the believers. The nurturing of this process is the sacred mission entrusted to you. We have every confidence in your ability to achieve it. May Baha’u’llah bless and sustain you through His unfailing grace and mighty confirmations. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 9 January 2001 addressed to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Coubsellors)

June 4

The world with the various calamities that have befallen it, will be completely ravaged and its civilization demolished, if the Baha'is do not come to its help and embue it with the spirit that Baha'u'llah has brought to the, world. The economic factions, political parties, national hatreds, racial prejudices, and religious antagonisms, will continue to bring about devastating wars until the spirit of the Cause permeates the heart of man, and its universal teachings pull down the existing barriers. Let us be reminded of our duty by the misery we see around us, and arise for the prosecution of our noble duty.
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 24 November 1931 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the American National Spiritual Assembly; quoted in a letter dated 1 July 1984 from the International Teaching Centre to the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas)

June 3

Regarding Mirza Abu'l-Fadl's statement in his book The Bahá'í Proofs to the effect that the great religions of the world, excluding the Dispensations of the Báb and Bahá'u'll'áh, are seven in number: what the author meant by that statement is that there are only seven great religions of which there is some existing trace or record, and not that only seven religions have so far appeared in the world. These seven religions mentioned by Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl are the following: Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islám, and the religion of the Sabaeans, which was originally monotheistic, and became gradually corrupted, and to which Abraham's forefathers are believed to have belonged.
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 9 July 1939 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, quoted by the Universal House of Justice in a letter dated 6 August 1996 written on its behalf to an individual believer)

June 2

In this Most Holy Book [The Kitab-i-Aqdas] Baha'u'llah declares: "By My life, if you knew what We have desired for you in revealing Our holy laws, you would offer up your souls for this sacred, mighty and lofty Cause." "This Book is none other than the ancient Lamp of God for the whole world and His undeviating Path amongst men. Say, it is verily the Dayspring of divine knowledge, did ye but know it, and the Dawning-place of the commandments of God, could ye but comprehend it." "Say, this is the spirit of the Scriptures breathed into the Pen of Glory, causing all creation to be dumbfounded, except those who are stirred by the vitalizing fragrance of My tender mercy and the sweet savours of My bounty which pervade all created things."
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated April 1973)

June 1

Having permanently excluded the evils admittedly inherent in the institutions of the "learned" in past dispensations, Bahá'u'lláh has nevertheless embodied in His Administrative Order the beneficent elements which exist in such institutions, elements which are of fundamental value for the progress of the Cause, as can be gauged from even a cursory reading of the Guardian's message of 4 June 1957.

The existence of institutions of such exalted rank, comprising individuals who play such a vital role, who yet have no legislative, administrative or judicial authority, and are entirely devoid of priestly functions or the right to make authoritative interpretations, is a feature of Bahá'í administration unparalleled in the religions of the past. The newness and uniqueness of this concept make it difficult to grasp; only as the Bahá'í Community grows and the believers are increasingly able to contemplate its administrative structure uninfluenced by concepts from past ages, will the vital interdependence of the "rulers" and "learned" in the Faith be properly understood, and the inestimable value of their interaction be fully recognized.
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 24 April 1972; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973’)