June 30

…in the best democracies nowadays the driving incentive in elections is the wish of each politician to obtain power so as to be able to carry out the program that he particularly favors—an election becomes a competition which the self-promoting candidates either “win” or “lose.” The electorate is treated as a mass to be swayed, by rhetoric and various forms of inducement, to support one or other candidate. In the Bahá’í system, however, the voters are the active force and the motive which impels them is to choose those individuals who are best suited to serve on the institution. The persons elected are passive in the electoral process (except in their role as voters) and accept election as an obligation to serve the community in response to the wish of the electorate. In other words, the systems differ in their essential spirit: one is a seeking for power, the other is an acceptance of responsibility for service. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 18 July 2000 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

June 29

Be not dismayed if your endeavors are dismissed as utopian by the voices that would oppose any suggestion of fundamental change. Trust in the capacity of this generation to disentangle itself from the embroilments of a divided society. To discharge your responsibilities, you will have to show forth courage, the courage of those who cling to standards of rectitude, whose lives are characterized by purity of thought and action, and whose purpose is directed by love and indomitable faith. As you dedicate yourselves to healing the wounds with which your peoples have been afflicted, you will become invincible champions of justice. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 8 January 2000, addressed to the Friends gathered at the Youth Congress in Paraguay)

June 28

With regard to the concept of the Bahá'í community as a model, one of the distinguishing features of our community is its "unshakeable consciousness of the oneness of mankind". This awareness is coupled with the commitment of the believers to endeavour to uphold spiritual principles "by which solutions can be found for every social problem", and the practice of which "induces an attitude, a dynamic, a will, an aspiration, which facilitate the discovery and implementation of practical measures". In keeping with the evolutionary nature of organic change, the Bahá'í community represents a model for the potential and gradual resolution of prejudices and other social ills, but cannot now present an example of achievement in absolute terms. We see in the Bahá'í community not only an example of diversity which is intrinsically attractive and hope inducing, but also the will and desire to work for change and the initial effects of such change, particularly in the discernible emergence of a new way of life and in the embryonic operation of the administrative and social structures being erected. Individual initiative is reinforced by the Bahá'í community at large and is channelled into constructive social action by the process of consultation. Clearly, the Bahá'í experience addresses problems at a fundamental level and realizes the means for their resolution; however, in presenting the Bahá'í community as a model, care must of course be taken to avoid giving the impression that all problems have been solved and all challenges met.
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 23 September 1986, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation ‘Agriculture and Rural Life’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice )

June 27

…because of the increasing need for translation of specific material, particularly in relation to growing scholarly interest in the Faith and its various Teachings, favorable consideration has been given to allowing wider use of provisional translations. Individual believers, of course, remain free to translate into English any of the Holy Writings for their own use. Such translations may also be published in circulars and journals without review other than by the editors of such publications. They may also be shared electronically. In all such cases they should be clearly identified as `provisional translations'. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 30 June 1999 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a number of National Spiritual Assemblies)

June 26

As to the Huqúq, it is payable on whatever is left over after deducting one's yearly expenses. However, any money or possession which is necessary in producing income for one's subsistence, and on which Huqúq hath once been paid is exempt from Huqúq. This exemption also applieth to a property on which Huqúq hath already been paid, and the income of which doth not exceed one's needs.... Disposition of the Huqúq, wholly or partly, is permissible, but this should be done by permission of the authority in the Cause to whom all must turn. 

- ‘Abdu'l-Bahá’  (From a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Huququ’llah)

June 25

According to the Bahá’í Teachings, marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and sexual relations are only permissible between a couple who are married to each other. This is set forth in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and in the authoritative statements of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and is not susceptible to change by the House of Justice. However, the Bahá’í community does not seek to impose its values on others and does not pass judgement on others on the basis of its own moral standards. Rather, Bahá’u’lláh enjoins the believers to manifest tolerance and respect towards all, and therefore, to regard those with a homosexual orientation with prejudice or disdain would be entirely against the spirit of the Faith.
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 22 December 2009 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

June 24

…another recruit to the ever-swelling army of the new Faith was the eminent scholar, Mírzá Ahmad-i-Azghandí, the most learned, the wisest and the most outstanding among the ‘ulamás of Khurásán, who, in anticipation of the advent of the promised Qá’im, had compiled above twelve thousand traditions and prophecies concerning the time and character of the expected Revelation, had circulated them among His fellow-disciples, and had encouraged them to quote them extensively to all congregations and in all meetings. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

June 23

In regard to your questions: The degree of rapidity with which human beings are to advance certainly depends on their own efforts; but he does not think God will permit man to annihilate himself. Too much evolution is behind him and too much before him for that! We should certainly not procrastinate for a moment. For almost a hundred years now the warnings of Bahá'u'lláh have been ringing in men's ears, and we have every reason to believe terrible things may still befall mankind, if they do not listen to the Divine solution proposed by God's Manifestation for this day. In this connection he is constantly pointing out to the Bahá'ís that their direct Bahá'í work -- teaching, perfecting the administration, propagating he Cause of God is their job and of immediate importance because, it is, so to speak, spiritually organic. What they are doing will release forces which will combat the terrible disintegration of society which we witness today in every field, political, economic or otherwise ...
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 5, 1947; Compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

June 22

Small wonder, then, that the Author of the Bahá’í Faith, and to a lesser degree its Herald, should have directed at the world’s supreme rulers and religious leaders the full force of Their Messages, and made them the recipients of some of Their most sublime Tablets, and invited them, in a language at once clear and insistent, to heed Their call. Small wonder that They should have taken the pains to unroll before their eyes the truths of Their respective Revelations, and should have expatiated on Their woes and sufferings. Small wonder that They should have stressed the preciousness of the opportunities which it was in the power of these rulers and leaders to seize, and should have warned them in ominous tones of the grave responsibilities which the rejection of God’s Message would entail, and should have predicted, when rebuffed and refused, the dire consequences which such a rejection involved. Small wonder that He Who is the King of kings and Vicegerent of God Himself should, when abandoned, contemned and persecuted, have uttered this epigrammatic and momentous prophecy: “From two ranks amongst men power hath been seized: kings and ecclesiastics.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated March 28, 1941, ‘The Promised Day Is Come’)

June 21

…Bahá'u'lláh has specified no procedures to be followed in meditation, and individual believers are free to do as they wish in this area, provided that they remain in harmony with the Teachings, but such activities are purely personal and should under no circumstances be confused with those actions which Bahá'u'lláh Himself considered to be of fundamental importance for our spiritual growth. Some believers may find that it is beneficial to them to follow a particular method of meditation, and they may certainly do so, but such methods should not be taught at Bahá'í Summer Schools or be carried out during a session of the School because, while they may appeal to some People, they may repel others. They have nothing to do with the Faith and should be kept quite separate so that enquirers will not be confused.
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 1 September 1983 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly)

June 20

It is striking how private and personal the most fundamental spiritual exercises of prayer and meditation are in the Faith. Bahá'ís do, of course, have meetings for devotions, as in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar or at Nineteen Day Feasts, but the daily Obligatory Prayers are ordained to be said in the privacy of one's chamber, and meditation on the Teachings is, likewise, a private individual activity, not a form of group therapy. In His talks 'Abdu'l-Bahá describes prayer as "conversation with God", and concerning meditation He says that "while you meditate you are speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit answers: the light breaks forth and reality is revealed." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 1 September 1983 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly)

June 19

Another famous advocate of the Cause of the Báb, even fiercer in zeal than Vahíd, and almost as eminent in rank, was Mullá Muhammad-‘Alíy-i-Zanjání, surnamed Hujjat… a vehement controversialist, of a bold and independent temper of mind, impatient of restraint, a man who had dared condemn the whole ecclesiastical hierarchy… he had more than once, through his superior talents and fervid eloquence, publicly confounded his orthodox Shí’ah adversaries. Such a person could not remain indifferent to a Cause that was producing so grave a cleavage among his countrymen. The disciple he sent to Shíráz to investigate the matter fell immediately under the spell of the Báb. The perusal of but a page of the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá, brought by that messenger to Hujjat, sufficed to effect such a transformation within him that he declared, before the assembled ‘ulamás of his native city, that should the Author of that work pronounce day to be night and the sun to be a shadow he would unhesitatingly uphold his verdict. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

June 18

It should not be overlooked, however, that the most powerful and effective teaching medium that has been found so far is the fireside meeting, because in the fireside meeting, intimate personal questions can be answered, and the student find the spirit of the Faith more abundant there.
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 11 December 1952 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Local Spiritual Assembly and an individual believer) The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Guidelines for Teaching)

June 17

The friends have every right to appeal to the Australian National Assembly and express their views that ... be allowed to teach people of all races as she has been doing; but in the mean time she should comply with the wishes of the National Assembly, because all Bahá'ís must learn to live according to the administrative principles of our Faith. If they don't, they only undermine the very institutions they are trying to create, and which we know, carry the solution to the world's problems. It is often difficult to follow this course, but it is the one 'Abdu'l-Bahá always asked the friends to follow; and obedience, even when we believe the instruction is not wise, brings in itself blessings from on high. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 29 November 1952 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, National Spiritual Assembly)

June 16

It is one of the essential teachings of the Faith that unity should be maintained in the home. Of course this does not mean that any member of the family has a right to influence the faith of any other member; and if this is realized by all the members, then it seems certain that unity would be feasible. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 6 July 1952 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)

June 15

He urges you to make up your minds to do great, great deeds for the Faith; the condition of the world is steadily growing worse, and your generation must provide the saints, heroes, martyrs and administrators of future years. With dedication and will-power you can rise to great heights! 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 2 October 1951, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to Louhelen School, Youth Session, published in "Bahá'í News" 253, March 1952; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)

June 14

He suggests that you daily pray to Bahá'u'lláh to let you meet a soul receptive to His Message. The power of prayer is very great, and attracts the Divine confirmations. He, also, will pray for your teaching work there.
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 30 September 1951 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional )

June 13

The time is sure to come and the signs are already apparent, when the various and distant members of this great world community will find their activities co-ordinated, their purpose unified, their efforts re-inforced and the effect of their combined efforts manifest throughout the world. May the Power of Bahá’u’lláh breathe the dynamic spirit of Life into the combined and systematized efforts of the friends the world over and revive through them the body of stricken humanity and give it the peace which it yearns for and which the world cannot give. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter to the Baha’is of Germany, dated 19 January 1923; ‘The Light of Divine Guidance, vol. 1’)

June 12

…it may be useful to recall that the laws and ordinances of this Dispensation Bahá'u'lláh has specifically characterized as "the breath of life unto all created things", as "the mightiest stronghold", as the "fruits" of His "Tree", as "the highest means for the maintenance of order in the world and the security of its peoples", as "the lamps of His wisdom and loving providence", as "the sweet-smelling savour of his garment", as the "keys" of His "mercy" to His creatures. "This book" (The Kitab-i-Aqdas), He Himself testifies, "is a heaven which we have adorned with the stars of Our commandments and prohibitions." (Shoghi Effendi, extracted from God Passes By and published in The Kitab-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book) 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 3 May 1994 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)