A New World Order/What Is the Special Mission of Bahá’í Youth?
WHAT IS THE SPECIAL MISSION OF BAHÁ’Í YOUTH?[edit]
This Cause, although it embraces with equal esteem people of all ages,
HAS A SPECIAL MESSAGE AND MISSION FOR THE YOUTH OF YOUR GENERATION.
It is their charter for their future, their hope, their guarantee of better days to come.
Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Bahá’í News, no. 161 (March 1943), p. 1 (Caps added)
Indeed it is very important for the Faith, to extend the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh amongst the youth,
AS IT IS THROUGH THEIR ACTIVITIES THAT THE CAUSE OF OUR BELOVED MASTER WILL IN FUTURE SPREAD ALL OVER THE AMERICAN CONTINENT.
THEY HAVE UPON THEIR SHOULDERS ALL THE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE PROGRESS OF THE MOVEMENT;
it is our duty to rear their spiritual feelings, and enlighten their hearts with the light of guidance which has been shed upon us by the Master.
Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Bahá’í News, no. 143 (May 1941), p. 8 (Caps added)
[Page 21]
The activities, hopes and thoughts of the Bahá’í youth in America, as well as in all other parts of the world, are close and dear to my heart.
Upon them rests the supreme and challenging responsibility to promote the interests of the Cause of God in the days to come, to co-ordinate its world-wide activities, to extend its scope, to safeguard its integrity, to exalt its virtues, define its purpose, and translate its ideals and aims into memorable and abiding achievements.
Theirs is a mighty task, at once holy, stupendous and enthralling. May the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh protect and sustain them in their divinely appointed task!
Shoghi Effendi,
quoted in
Bahá’í News, no. 443
(February 1968), p. 8
[Page 22]
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM[edit]
1107A EDT JUN 26 63 DEA292 SSK011 DE CDU306 JNY0245 HEC120THFSQ 49 33526 71 PD INTL CD HAIFA VIA WUI JUN 25 1785
LT Bahá’í WILMETTE (ILL)
WARMLY ACKNOWLEDGE CONFIDENT JOYOUS MESSAGE FROM Bahá’í YOUTH GATHERED PRECINCTS MOTHER TEMPLE WEST STOP MOVED THEIR DETERMINATION SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES SERVE BELOVED FAITH CALL ON THEM BOLDLY CHALLENGE INVITE CONFUSED CONTEMPORARIES ENTRAPPED MORASS MATERIALISM TO EXAMINE PARTAKE LIFEGIVING POWER CAUSE JOIN ARMY Bahá’u’lláh CONFRONT NEGATIVE FORCES OF A SOCIETY SADLY LACKING SPIRITUAL VALUES STOP ASSURE YOUTH ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES GUIDANCE CONFIRMATION THEIR COURAGEOUS EFFORTS
UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE.
[Page 23]
Now that the war is over and so many young people are being released from the services and returning to a more normal life, the young Bahá’ís in every city should
- (1) make a point of keeping in touch with local youth activities and clubs, and
- (2) should make their views known to as many young people in as many ways as possible.
- (3) Above all, they should set a high example to them;
- (a) chastity,
- (b) politeness,
- (c) friendliness,
- (d) hospitality,
- (e) joyous optimism about the ultimate future happiness and well-being of mankind,
- should distinguish them and win over to them the love and admiration of their fellow-youth.
The thing which is most conspicuously lacking in modern life is a high standard of conduct and good character; the young Bahá’ís must demonstrate both, if they hope to seriously win over to the Faith members of their own generation so sorely disillusioned and so contaminated by the laxity war gives rise to.
- Shoghi Effendi,
- quoted in
- Bahá’í News, no. 188
- (October 1946), p. 4
- (Numbers and letters added)
What impressed him (Shoghi Effendi) most in the account of your services was the statement that the old and young Bahá’ís are firmly united and cooperating in bearing the burden of the Faith in that locality. Nothing will attract God’s blessing and grace more than the unity of the Friends, and nothing is more destructive of their highest purpose than divisions and misunderstandings. . . .
- Shoghi Effendi
- (through his secretary),
- quoted in
- Bahá’í News, no. 71
- (February 1933), p. 2
[Page 25]
WHAT IS THE SPECIAL MISSION OF BAHA'I YOUTH?
Why did Shoghi Effendi say that youth have a special mission? What is that mission?
What did Shoghi Effendi mean when he said that youth "have upon their shoulders all the responsibilities for the progress of the movement"? What does this mean concerning the importance of youth activities?
How will youth define the purpose of the Baha'f Faith?
How can the youth of your locality carry out the activities that the Guardian asks youth to be concerned with?
What are the implications of the cable from The Universal House of Justice for the youth in your area? for you?
Why is it important that youth set such a high example? What will happen if we don't?
How does the youth's mission differ from that of the adults? How does cooperation with adults fit in?
2D
[Page 24]
... that the two main objectives which so many young people are being ... increased towards the study and understanding of the Sacred ... within the young Bahá’í. To help them also find:
(1) ... points of keeping in touch with local ... and ...
(2) ... basic areas where we can start as soon as possible.
(3) ... The study should have four aspects:
- Spiritual
- Material
- Educational
- Social
... results of such study ... develop ... to help ... which helps develop in members their ... ability to teach ... their knowledge ... and develop ... the spirit of ... and service. ... such an understanding is ... essential ... can only be achieved by ...
- should result
- in love:
- Bahá’u’lláh
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
- Shoghi Effendi
- (Guardian)
- (Universal House of Justice)
How then can we reach this goal as the members ... our devotion and the love and study each of us has ... (local) units, help in training and teaching of the youth to ... each individual ... his own training and studying and ... the study of the Writings in each Bahá’í home ... their internal growth and discussion and understanding.
- should effect
- (as person)
- (as student)
- Bahá’u’lláh
- Shoghi Effendi
- (Guardian)