When a believer has a problem concerning which he must make
a decision, he has several courses open to him. If it is a matter that affects
the interests of the Faith he should consult with the appropriate Assembly or
committee, but individuals have many problems which are purely personal and
there is no obligation upon them to take such problems to the institutions of
the Faith; indeed, when the needs of the teaching work are of such urgency it
is better if the friends will not burden their Assemblies with personal
problems that they can solve by themselves.
A Bahá'í who has a problem may wish to make his own decision
upon it after prayer and after weighing all the aspects of it in his own mind;
he may prefer to seek the counsel of individual friends or of professional
counselors such as his doctor or lawyer so that he can consider such advice
when making his decision; or in a case where several people are involved, such
as a family situation, he may want to gather together those who are affected so
that they may arrive at a collective decision. There is also no objection
whatever to a Bahá'í's asking a group of people to consult together on a
problem facing him.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter written by the Universal House of Justice,
19 March 1973 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada; The Compilation of
Compilations, vol. I, Consultation)
