December 7

Your sons, even though they will not be able at first to serve with you in pioneering, are certainly helping you to do so because of their devoted spirit and their complete co-operation. Life at best is so full of unexpected vicissitudes that leaving your boys at home does not, he feels, present any added risks. They are devoted to the Cause and will no doubt be inspired by your example. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 10 August 1953 to two believers; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, Family Life)

December 5

As you interest different ones in the Faith, you must be very cautious, and gradually lead them into the Light of Divine Guidance, especially the practices of Bahá'í living. Thus you should not be dogmatic about any of the secondary practices of the Faith.... 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 5 June 1954 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Guidelines for Teaching)

December 3

All we know is that the Lesser and the Most Great Peace will come -- their exact dates we do not know. The same is true as regards the possibility of a future war; we cannot state dogmatically it will or will not take place -- all we know is that mankind must suffer and be punished sufficiently to make it turn to God. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter date 29 July 1974 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Peace)

December 1

…he feels that, although in principle there is certainly no reason why excerpts from other Sacred Scriptures should not be read in the spiritual part of our Feasts, as this is particularly an occasion when Bahá'ís get together to deepen their own spiritual life, it is, generally speaking, advisable for them to read from their own holy Writings in the spiritual part of the Feast. 

– Shoghi Effendi   (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 18 February 1954 to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Nineteen Day Feast)

November 29

He feels ... that some of the courses are not sufficiently Bahá'í in nature, but carry the student off into an unnecessary study of special techniques -- history, psychology or whatever it may be, which however valuable these topics may be in training the human mind and fitting the individual for contact with others, are a waste of time, in view of the very limited period that most of the Bahá'ís spend at a Bahá'í summer school.

The friends should concentrate on deepening their grasp of the Teachings, particularly on studying what has already been done, and what must be done to fulfil the goals of this World Crusade. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 11 May 1954 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Centers of Baha’i Learning)

November 27

The spirit of the African believers is very touching, very noble, and indeed presents a challenge to their fellow Bahá'ís all over the world. It seems that God has endowed these races, living in the so-called "dark" continent, with great spiritual faculties, and also with mental faculties, which, as they mature in the Faith, will contribute immensely to the whole, throughout the Bahá'í world.

In your communications to the Bahá'ís of Uganda please assure them of the Guardian's prayers, of his deep affection for them, and tell them that he is proud of them, of their spirit and of their achievements. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 11 May 1954 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Uganda Teaching Committee; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Teaching Among Aboriginal and Indigenous People)

November 25

The peoples generally are seeking the light of Divine Guidance. The problems of the world have awakened the populace. It only remains for the Bahá'ís to raise the Call and give the Message according to the high standards enunciated by the beloved Master. The world can become alive with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, if the Bahá'ís fulfil their sacred obligation.

In pioneering fields, and on the home front, the friends must arise with the same spirit of dedication and consecration which animated the original pioneers. If they do, they will be astonished at the great results they will achieve.

Setting aside all the shibboleths of present-day living, leaving behind the false standards of those endeavouring to solve the world's problems by weak platitudes, and demonstrating the new Bahá'í way of dynamic spiritual living, let them, relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, arise to spread the Water of Life over America. This will produce the results which the cries of humanity today require. Where are the spiritual souls who will now seize their opportunity, and achieve immortal glory in the service of the Faith! 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 14 April 1954 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Guidelines for Teaching) 

November 23

The matter of where the Nineteen Day Feasts should be held is certainly one for the Spiritual Assembly to decide; but the Hazíratu'l-Quds seems the logical place on most occasions. Until the friends have a place of worship in…, this building will also be used for devotional meetings, as well as for administrative purposes.

If, under some circumstances, some special Feast is offered in the home of one of the believers, with the approval of the Spiritual Assembly, there can be no objection; but, generally speaking, he feels it is better to use the Hazíratu'l-Quds. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 18 February 1954 to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Nineteen Day Feast)

November 21

What is needed to achieve success in the teaching field is a complete dedication on the part of the individual, consecration to the glorious task of spreading the Faith, and the living of the Bahá'í life, because that creates the magnet for the Holy Spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit which quickens the new soul. Thus the individual should be as a reed, through which the Holy Spirit may flow, to give new life to the seeking soul.

One should search out those who are receptive to the Faith, and then concentrate on these persons in their teaching. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 18 December 1953 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Guidelines for Teaching) 

November 19

As regards the question of accepting contributions from people whose voting rights are suspended, the Guardian says this is not permissible. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 21 June 1953 to the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Pakistan and Burma, published in "Dawn of a New Day"; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Funds and Contributions)

November 17

He hopes that, during this coming year, you ... will devote yourselves as much as you can to consolidating the new Assemblies, and assisting the new believers to gradually understand better the Administration, and its application in Bahá'í Community life. Tact, love and patience will no doubt be needed, and one cannot expect these new believers to do everything in the same way that old and tried Communities do. Indeed, individuality of expression, within the framework of the Administrative Order, is preferable to too great a uniformity. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 26 April 1953 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Teaching Among Aboriginal and Indigenous People)

November 15

The general principle ... is that a request for excuse from School sessions on Bahá'í Holy Days is desirable. This applies to all Bahá'í children regardless of their age. Children of Bahá'í parents, under the age of 15, are considered Bahá'ís.

What a Bahá'í parent or your Assembly should do is apply to the School Board to grant to their children permission to remain away from School on Bahá'í Holy Days, and then abide by whatever decision the School Board may make, and not try in any way to force the matter. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 19 August 1952 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Education)

November 13

He fully appreciates the fact that the believers are still somewhat attached to the different cults from which they have come; this is a problem which always faces the Faith in a new region; it existed a long time in America, and seems part of the growth of the Cause. He feels your Assembly can afford to be patient with the friends, while at the same time educating them into a deeper understanding of the Cause. As their awareness of the true significance of Bahá'u'lláh grows, they will become weaned from the old ideas and give full allegiance to His teachings. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 30 June 1952, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, Cultural Diversity in the Age of Maturity)

November 11

He urges you all to devote particular attention to the contact with racial minorities. In a country which has such a large element of prejudice against its coloured citizens as the United States, it is of the greatest importance that the Bahá'ís -- and more especially the youth -- should demonstrate actively our complete lack of prejudice and, indeed, our prejudice in favour of minorities.

We cannot very well prosecute a teaching campaign successfully in Africa if we do not in our home communities demonstrate to the fullest extent our love for the people who spring from the African population! 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 11 November 1951 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Louhelen School; the Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)

November 9

As to your question: the friends can give their contributions to the treasurer, or, if they wish to remain anonymous and give small sums, a receptacle can be provided. The Local Assembly can decide this matter. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 29 September 1951 to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Funds and Contributions)

November 7

These people, finding the Bahá'ís sincerely lacking in either prejudice -- or that even worse attitude, condescension -- might not only take interest in our Teachings, but also help us to reach their people in the proper way.

It is a great mistake to believe that because people are illiterate or live primitive lives, they are lacking in either intelligence or sensibility. On the contrary, they may well look on us, with the evils of our civilization, with its moral corruption, its ruinous wars, its hypocrisy and conceit, as people who merit watching with both suspicion and contempt. We should meet them as equals, well-wishers, people who admire and respect their ancient descent, and who feel that they will be interested, as we are, in a living religion and not in the dead forms of present-day churches. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 21 September 1951 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Comite Nacional de ensenanza Bahá'í para los indigenas) The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Guidelines for Teaching)

November 5

He was very pleased to hear you do a lot of lecturing for the Cause; this is a very important field of service and one you should devote as much time to as possible. The public must hear of the Faith, and new ways and means must be devised to bring it to their attention. He also urges you to study the teachings themselves more deeply. Bahá'í scholarship is needed really more than worldly scholarship, for one is spiritual, the other more or less transient. There is a real lack in the Cause of people who know the teachings thoroughly, especially their deeper truths, and who can consequently teach the souls properly and lay a permanent foundation, one that tests and trials will not shake down.

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 27 August 1951 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, Scholarship)

November 3

As the House of Justice stated in its Ridván 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. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 4 November 2019 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

November 1

...whilst actively teaching, the friends must themselves be taught and deepened in the spirit of the Faith, which brings love and unity. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 17 July 1951 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Guidelines for Teaching)