October 4

The Covenant is the "axis of the oneness of the world of humanity" because it preserves the unity and integrity of the Faith itself and protects it from being disrupted by individuals who are convinced that only their understanding of the Teachings is the right one - a fate that has overcome all past Revelations. The Covenant is, moreover, embedded in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh Himself. Thus, as you clearly see, to accept Bahá'u'lláh is to accept His Covenant; to reject His Covenant is to reject Him. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 3 January 1982, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Covenant)