Whether a newly declared Bahá’í should be invited to attend
a Nineteen Day Feast before his declaration has been accepted is a matter at
the discretion of the Local Spiritual Assembly in light of the specific
circumstances. For example, where feasible, could the Assembly not provide
that, if a declaration is made so soon before a Feast that the Assembly has no
time to meet to accept it, the officers would be authorized to welcome the new
believer to the Feast unless they have some reason for doubting that the
declaration would be accepted? In general it would seem to be better to show a
loving and welcoming spirit rather than to stand on a point of administrative
procedure.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 9 November 1989 written on behalf of the
Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
the Hawaiian Islands; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001’)
