The institutions of the Administrative Order of Bahá'u'lláh,
rooted in the provisions of His Revelation, have emerged gradually and
organically, as the Bahá'í community has grown through the power of the divine
impulse imparted to humankind in this age. The characteristics and functions of
each of these institutions have evolved, and are still evolving, as are the
relationships between them. The writings of the beloved Guardian expound the
fundamental elements of this mighty System and make it clear that the
Administrative Order, although different in many ways from the World Order
which it is the destiny of the Bahá'í Revelation to call into being, is both
the "nucleus" and "pattern" of that World Order. Thus, the
evolution of the institutions of the Administrative Order, while following many
variants to meet changing conditions in different times and places, should
strictly follow the essential principles of Bahá'í administration which have
been laid down in the Sacred Text and in the interpretations provided by
Abdu'l-Bahá and the Guardian.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a message
dated 30 May 1997 to all National Spiritual Assemblies)
