January 30

When it has been concluded that a marriage can no longer be saved, a Bahá’í may apply to the Local Spiritual Assembly for a divorce, even if his or her spouse does not cooperate. Further, there are circumstances in which it would be permissible for a Bahá’í to expedite a civil divorce as a matter of protection, even while abiding by the spirit of the year of patience. It would, of course, be necessary for one affected by any such circumstance to consult with his or her Local or National Spiritual Assembly. If no Local Assembly exists in your community, you may seek the assistance of an Assembly nearby. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, dated August 18, 2014, to an individual believer; compilation: Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies by United States NSA, revised 2022)

January 28

It is certainly very difficult to bear an illness like the one you describe, but you can be sure that, as with all the difficulties of life, this one, too, will present an opportunity for much spiritual growth and for the garnering of many blessings both for you and for your near ones. The important thing is to bear in mind that there is really nothing to fear since, according to the Teachings, the soul is exalted above the ills of the body, however unpleasant they may be. These emotional or mental illnesses, as they are often called, seem in part to stem from a certain imbalance in the elements of the body, an imbalance which medical science is only just beginning to understand. ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá says that the soul is like the sun and the ills of the body like clouds. The latter can keep the rays of the sun from being visible to us, but they can never have an influence on the refulgence of the sun itself. 

- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 30 June 1993 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Light and Mercy, Mental Health and Tests and Difficulties’, prepared by the NSA of Australia) 

January 26

The House of Justice feels that the believers should not become preoccupied with fruitless speculations about the timing and form of the calamities which are occurring during this period of history. These calamities have the dual purpose of chastening humanity for its failure to recognise the Manifestation for this day and of cleansing the hearts of men through suffering and thus preparing them to accept the claims of Bahá’u’lláh.

Shoghi Effendi pointed out the direct connection between the suffering in the world and the lamentable spiritual condition of mankind at the present time, in the following passage from a letter written on his behalf:

There is nothing in the teachings to tell us exactly how much longer the present turbulent state of the world is going to endure; but we do know that humanity must suffer until it becomes spiritually awakened, and that the Most Great Peace will come, as promised by Bahá’u’lláh. (From a letter dated 26 February 1946, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) 

- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 14 July 1988 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Potential Calamities and Ensuring Sustainability of Communities’, prepared by the Baha’i World Center)  

January 24

…children should be trained to understand the spiritual significance of the gatherings of the followers of the Blessed Beauty, and to appreciate the honour and bounty of being able to take part in them, whatever their outward form may be. It is realized that some Bahá’í observances are lengthy and it is difficult for very small children to remain quiet for so long. In such cases one or other of the parents may have to miss part of the meeting in order to care for the child. The Spiritual Assembly can also perhaps help the parents by providing for a children’s observance, suited to their capacities, in a separate room during part of the community’s observance. Attendance at the whole of the adult celebration thus becomes a sign of growing maturity and a distinction to be earned by good behaviour.

In any case, the House of Justice points out that parents are responsible for their children and should make them behave when they attend Bahá’í meetings. If children persist in creating a disturbance they should be taken out of the meeting. This is not merely necessary to ensure the properly dignified conduct of Bahá’í meetings but is an aspect of the training of children in courtesy, consideration for others, reverence, and obedience to their parents. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 14 October 1982 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly; compilation: ‘Family Life’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, revised March 2008)

January 22

...the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, the interpretations of the Centre of His Covenant, the messages of Shoghi Effendi, and the continuing guidance of the Universal House of Justice contain a vast breadth of advice to the believers with regard to different aspects of their collective and individual lives on this planet. If the friends study the Writings carefully, heed the commandments and exhortations, and follow the advice which is available in abundance, their fears of what may come to pass will be diminished and their apprehension about what they should do if the worst happens will be eased. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 7 March 1988 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Potential Calamities and Ensuring Sustainability of Communities’, prepared by the Baha’i World Center)

January 20

… mental illness is not spiritual, although its effects may indeed hinder and be a burden in one’s striving toward spiritual progress. In a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to a believer there is this further passage:

“Such hindrances [i.e. illness and outer difficulties], no matter how severe and insuperable they may at first seem, can and should be effectively overcome through the combined and sustained power of prayer and of determined and continued effort.

“That effort can include the counsel of wise and experienced physicians, including psychiatrists. Working for the Faith, serving others who may need you, and giving of yourself can aid you in your struggle to overcome your sufferings. One helpful activity is, of course, striving to teach the Cause in spite of personal feelings of shortcomings, thus allowing the healing words of the Cause to flood your mind with their grace and positive power.” 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 15 June 1982 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Light and Mercy, Mental Health and Tests and Difficulties’, prepared by the NSA of Australia)

January 18

The Universal House of Justice has received your letter of 23 June 1977 in which you express the ardent desire of yourself and your husband to see your children grow as active supporters of the Faith, and you ask whether, in view of the responsibilities of Bahá’í parents in the pioneering field, the seeming sufferings the children bear as the result of their parents’ commitments in service to the Cause will somehow be compensated. We have been asked by the Universal House of Justice to convey to you the following points.

In considering this problem it is important to bear in mind the reality of the unity of the family, and the children’s part in its activities….

It should also be realized that a child, from early life, is a conscious and thinking soul, a member of his family with his own duties towards it, and is able to make his own sacrifices for the Faith in many ways. It is suggested that the children should be made to feel that they are given the privilege and opportunity of participating in the decisions as to the services their parents are able to offer, thus making their own conscious decision to accept those services with consequence for their own lives. Indeed, the children can be led to realize that it is the earnest wish of their parents to undertake such services with their children’s whole-hearted support.

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 23 August 1977 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Family Life’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, revised March 2008)

January 16

There are no specific “grounds” for Bahá’í divorce such as there are in some codes of civil law. As you know, a Bahá’í is expected to make a supreme effort to preserve a marriage, but divorce is permitted in Bahá’í law, and in a certain situation, it may be the only solution. A believer should consider the possibility of divorce only if the situation is intolerable and he or she has a strong aversion to being married to the other partner. Whether your situation is one in which you feel you are justified in applying for divorce is a decision only you can make in light of prayerful consideration of the factors involved and the advice of legal and other professionals. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 18 August, 2014, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation: 'Guidelines for Local Spiritual Assemblies' by US NSA, revised 2022)

January 14

With regard to your question whether mothers should work outside the home, it is helpful to consider the matter from the perspective of the concept of a Bahá’í family. This concept is based on the principle that the man has primary responsibility for the financial support of the family, and the woman is the chief and primary educator of the children. This by no means implies that these functions are inflexibly fixed and cannot be changed and adjusted to suit particular family situations, nor does it mean that the place of the woman is confined to the home.  Rather, while primary responsibility is assigned, it is anticipated that fathers would play a significant role in the education of the children and women could also be breadwinners. As you rightly indicated, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá encouraged women to “participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world”. 

In relation to your specific queries, the decision concerning the amount of time a mother may spend in working outside the home depends on circumstances existing within the home, which may vary from time to time. Family consultation will help to provide the answers. As to the question whether courses of professional training will in future be more flexible, the House of Justice points out that future conditions will dictate such matters. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 9 August 1984 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Family Life’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, revised March 2008)

January 12

As to the question of Bahá’ís observing the Chinese New Year, the following have been provided in response to related queries posed to the House of Justice on prior occasions:

In deciding whether or not to participate in such traditional activities, the Bahá’ís must guard against two extremes. The one is to disassociate themselves needlessly from harmless cultural observances and thus alienate themselves from their non-Bahá’í families and friends; the other is to continue the practice of abrogated observances of previous dispensations and thus undermine the independence of the Bahá’í Faith and create undesirable distinctions between themselves and their fellow-Bahá’ís. In this connection there is a difference between what Bahá’ís do among themselves and what they do in companionship with their non-Bahá’í friends and relations. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 26 May 1982 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly; included in a letter dated 4 June 2019 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice)

January 10

Up to the age of fifteen years, children are under the direction of their parents. At the age of fifteen, they may declare their Faith as a conviction, and be registered as Bahá’í youth, whether the parents are Bahá’ís or not. Children under the age of fifteen, of Bahá’í parents, who wish to attend meetings and associate with the friends as Bahá’ís may do so. If non-Bahá’í parents permit a child of less than fifteen to attend Bahá’í meetings, and in fact, to be a Bahá’í, this is likewise permissible. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 23 July 1954 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly; compilation: ‘Family Life’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, revised March 2008)

January 8

Deep as are family ties, we must always remember that the spiritual ties are far deeper; they are everlasting and survive death, whereas physical ties, unless supported by spiritual bonds, are confined to this life. You should do all in your power, through prayer and example, to open the eyes of your family to the Bahá’í Faith, but do not grieve too much over their actions. Turn to your Bahá’í brothers and sisters who are living with you in the light of the Kingdom.

Indeed the believers have not yet fully learned to draw on each other’s love for strength and consolation in time of need. The Cause of God is endowed with tremendous powers, and the reason the believers do not gain more from it is because they have not learned to fully draw on these mighty forces of love and strength and harmony generated by the Faith. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 8 May 1942 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Family Life’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, revised March 2008)

January 6

In relation to traditional festivities in general, every culture has these, and Bahá’ís should be encouraged to preserve their inherited cultural identities if they wish to, so long as the activities that are involved do not contravene the principles of the Faith or identify them as the followers of other religions. The perpetuation of such cultural characteristics is an expression of unity in diversity. Although most of these celebrations have no doubt stemmed from religious rituals in bygone ages, the religious meaning has, in very many cases, given way to purely cultural tradition.

... it should also be remembered that the weaning away of the Bahá’ís from customs and traditions, which have been established in their societies for centuries, takes time and is a gradual process. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 2 January 2002 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a Local Spiritual Assembly; included in a letter dated 4 June 2019 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice)

January 4

There are a great many as you know mental diseases and troubles at present, and the one thing Bahá’ís must not do is take a defeatist attitude toward them. The power in the Faith is such that it can sustain us on a much higher level in spite of whatever our ailments might be than other people who are denied it. This however does not mean that we should ignore medical opinion and treatment. On the contrary, we should do our best to procure the opinion of specialists and competent doctors. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 12 January 1957 written on behalf of Shogh Effendi to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Light and Mercy, Mental Health and Tests and Difficulties’, prepared by the NSA of Australia, 2021)  

January 2

Peace of mind is gained by the centering of the spiritual consciousness on the Prophet of God; therefore you should study the spiritual teachings, and receive the water of life from the Holy Utterances. Then by translating these high ideals into action, your entire character will be changed, and your mind will not only find peace, but your entire being will find joy and enthusiasm. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 15 October 1952 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Light and Mercy, Mental Health and Tests and Difficulties’, prepared by the NSA of Australia, 2021)