Regarding his instruction to the N.S.A. of Iran to the
effect that Baha’u’llah’s writings in Arabic should not be translated into
Persian; this applies to the translation of the revealed words into Persian
only. Your Assembly, therefore, may proceed with its plan for the rendering of
the Tablet of Ahmad, the three daily obligatory prayers and other Tablets, into
Urdu. 
Well aware of the impending trials that were to afflict Him,
the Báb had, ere His final separation from His family, bequeathed to His mother
and His wife all His possessions, had confided to the latter the secret of what
was to befall Him, and revealed for her a special prayer the reading of which,
He assured her, would resolve her perplexities and allay her sorrows.
Indeed the greatness of the Báb consists primarily, not in
His being the divinely-appointed Forerunner of so transcendent a Revelation,
but rather in His having been invested with the powers inherent in the inaugurator
of a separate religious Dispensation, and in His wielding, to a degree
unrivaled by the Messengers gone before Him, the scepter of independent
Prophethood.
The task now facing this highly promising, spiritually
dynamic community, [Alaska] at the hour of its emergence as an independent
member of the embryonic World Bahá’í Commonwealth, is truly formidable; the
responsibilities which it valiantly shoulders, at this crucial hour in its
evolution are sacred, heavy, manifold and inescapable. The tests and trials
which it must, sooner or later, experience in the course of its unfoldment and
consolidation will severely challenge its spirit and resources. The path which
it must tread ere the full evidence of its latent capacities are manifested
will be long, tortuous and stony. The indomitable faith which now so powerfully
animates its members, however, will, beyond the shadow of a doubt, enable them
to overcome whatever obstacles may confront them in the future, and ensure the
ultimate attainment of their high destiny.
He would not advise you to teach them [Eskimos] Esperanto,
as we have no way of knowing whether it will ultimately be chosen as the auxiliary
language of the world. He thinks the most direct and quickest way of
communicating with them in a common tongue should be chosen; in other words,
either you should learn their language or they yours, whichever will yield the
quickest results.
While all members of the community lend their energies to
educate children, the responsibility for the spiritual education of children
and youth does not rest solely upon the community, and the parents have a very
important role in training and educating their own children. As the House of
Justice stated in its Riḍván 2000 message, parents “should not ever underestimate
their capacity to mold their children’s moral character. For they exercise
indispensable influence through the home environment they consciously create by
their love of God, their striving to adhere to His laws, their spirit of
service to His Cause, their lack of fanaticism, and their freedom from the
corrosive effects of backbiting.” The friends should candidly accept that the
spiritual and social environment they create in their communities and their
homes has a profound influence on shaping the thought and character of young
people and that the negative influences of disunity, complaints and contention,
and disparaging references to the believers, the institutions, or community
affairs can gradually, imperceptibly, and cumulatively extinguish the spirit of
faith in young and impressionable hearts that no curriculum or educational
program can overcome.
Amongst the many other evils afflicting society in this
spiritual low water mark in history, is the question of immorality, and
overemphasis of sex. Homosexuality, according to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh,
is spiritually condemned. This does not mean that people so afflicted must not
be helped and advised and sympathized with. It does mean that we do not believe
it is a permissible way of life; which, alas, is all too often the accepted
attitude nowadays.
Regarding your questions: As you know, each Manifestation of
God brings secondary laws, suitable for the age in which He appears. The laws
of divorce, as given by Christ and Muhammad, have been changed by Bahá’u’lláh.
... He, Who has entrusted them with such a great mission to
the world, is waiting and patiently waiting for them that labour in His Divine
Vineyard to turn their hearts in prayer and supplication to the Almighty and
seek that aid and guidance that can alone enable them to carry out His Divine
Plan for this world.
O well-wisher of the world of humanity! Praised be God that
thine intention was good, that thou didst acquire knowledge and learning, and that
thy wish is to engage in service to the peoples of the world. I beseech God
that thou mayest succeed in this purpose and mayest manifest that which lieth
concealed within thy heart. In the world of creation, good intentions are of
two kinds. One kind is particular and aimed at specific people; this is limited
and its scope is extremely narrow. The other kind is directed towards all
created things; it is all-pervading and extensive in range. Whatsoever is
undertaken for the sake of the universal good is of God. Therefore,
undertakings that relate somewhat to the general good may be accomplished among
civilized nations, but the only thing that is directed wholly towards the
general good is the Word of God and Divine wisdom. This is the power which can
effect a fundamental change and transformation in the world of being. This force is creative; it is generative and
revitalizing and bringeth forth a new creation. Exert thine utmost endeavour,
therefore, in pursuing that which will be the cause of progress of the world of
humanity and will lead to perpetual exaltation and eternal life. Upon thee be
greetings and praise.
…as you already appreciate, the current crisis [covid-19]
has altered the context in which the Plan is being pursued. We have been
impressed by how many communities have taken great strides in adapting to this
new reality. Far from viewing the present period as simply a hiatus to be
endured with patience, they have recognized that the state of the world has
made the need to render meaningful service to humanity more urgent. Naturally,
the activities undertaken must suit the prevailing conditions, but there should
be no doubt that this is a time for noble aims, high resolve, and intense
endeavour. As is well known, the activities of the Plan are intended to
cultivate a thriving community spirit, through which resilience to mighty
challenges is also strengthened. Educational efforts aim to raise up a growing
number of souls who can contribute to the spiritual and material well-being of
a community; devotional meetings nurture the spirit of service as it blossoms,
rooting it in a culture of collective worship. In short, the promotion of the
Plan implies building capacity to walk the path of service in every time and
season—which must surely include moments of acute peril in the life of
humanity, such as now. It is essential, then, that the steps being taken to
learn how to apply the Plan’s framework for action to the current circumstances
of the world continue in earnest; in all likelihood, the global health crisis
will have a direct impact on Bahá’í activities, to a greater or lesser degree,
for months or even years, and the task of adapting to the situation cannot be
postponed.
The Guardian has never heard of any ruling by which a
believer who does not attend three consecutive day Nineteen Day Feasts can be
deprived of his voting rights. He does not consider that such action is
justifiable at all. The whole question is whether a person considers himself a
Bahá'í or not, and is willing to adhere to the principles of the Faith and
accept the authority of the Guardian and the Administration — whether that
individual is able, or always in a condition psychologically to attend Feasts
and Bahá'í meetings is an entirely different subject. If a person makes it
quite clear that they do not wish to be considered an active member of the
Bahá'í Community and be affiliated with it and exert their voting right, then
their name should be removed from the voting list; but if a person considers
himself or herself a Bahá'í, and for various reasons is not able to be active
in the affairs of the Community, then they should certainly not be removed from
our voting list, least of all at present, when the number of the Bahá'í
Community is so small.
He suggests you let the entire matter of your appeal drop.
Unless a very serious major issue is involved (which he does not feel is the
case this time) to drive these subjects home is far more likely to do the Cause
harm than good. There are many mistakes made, but they are, for the most part,
not serious enough to warrant creating inharmony and raising issues which lead
to endless argument and discussion, wasting time and energy better spent on
creative action.
When criticism and harsh words arise within a Bahá'í
community, there is no remedy except to put the past behind one, and persuade
all concerned to turn over a new leaf, and for the sake of God and His Faith
refrain from mentioning the subjects which have led to misunderstanding and
inharmony. The more the friends argue back and forth and maintain, each side,
that their point of view is the right one, the worse the whole situation
becomes.
The excellent work you are doing in the teaching field, he
appreciates very deeply and wishes you to persevere and go on teaching people
of importance. Even if they are not always good prospects as far as being
converted to the Faith goes, it is very necessary that they should hear of it
and be made friendly towards it.
If in this day a soul shall act according to the precepts
and the counsels of God, he will serve as a divine physician to mankind, and
like the trump of Isráfíl [1], he will call the dead of this contingent world
to life; for the confirmations of the Abhá Realm are never interrupted, and
such a virtuous soul hath, to befriend him, the unfailing help of the Company
on high. Thus shall a sorry gnat become an eagle in the fulness of his
strength, and a feeble sparrow change to a royal falcon in the heights of
ancient glory.