Lights of Guidance/toc/Special Institutions

←Institution of Huqúqu'lláh

Lights of Guidance , compiled by Helen Hornby XXVII. SPECIAL INSTITUTIONS

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A. Institutions Defined

1045. Definition of Institution

1046. Clarification of the Institutions Attendant to the Guardianship

B. The Guardianship

1047. The Guardianship—Acceptance of—Day that Will not be Followed by Night

1048. The Word "Guardianship" Used with Various Meanings

1049. Prerogatives and Duties Invested in the Guardian are of Three Kinds

1050. Infallibility of the Guardian is not for Individual Believers to Limit or to Judge

1051. Authoritative Interpretation of the Teachings is the Exclusive Right of the Guardian after ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

1052. The Distinction Between Authoritative Interpretation and Individual Understanding

1053. God Ordained, in this Day, that Guidance has been Vouchsafed to Man Through Institutions

1054. Future Guardians

1055. The Guardian is Assured the Guidance of Both Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb

1056. He is the Interpreter of the Word: Divine Truth is Relative

1057. Guardianship Does not Lose Significance nor Position Because There is no Living Guardian

1058. Station of Guardianship Cannot be Claimed Ere the Expiration of 1000 Years

C. The Universal House of Justice

1059. The Universal House of Justice Called into Being by the Author of the Faith

1060. Apex of Bahá’u’lláh's World Order

1061. Legislative Functions

1062. Process of Legislating

1063. Has General Functions of Protecting and Administering the Cause

1064. Infallibility of the Universal House of Justice is not Dependent on the Presence of the Guardian

1065. The Universal House of Justice has Conferred Infallibility

1066. The Process of Deducing Subsidiary Laws from the Original Text is the Right of the House of Justice

1067. In the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh Certain Functions are Reserved to Certain Institutions

1068. The Decisions and Laws Made by the Universal House of Justice Are Inspired and Confirmed by the Holy Spirit—This Exclusive Authority Will Preclude Errors of Past Dispensations

1069. The Strong Cord to Which All Must Cling is the Covenant

1070. The Universal House of Justice is the "Last Refuge of a Tottering Civilization"

1071. The Chosen Successors of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

1072. The Universal House of Justice Bears Responsibility for Executive and Judicial Functions as Well as Legislative

1073. Appointment of a Successor to Shoghi Effendi or More Hands of the Cause not Possible

D. Supreme Tribunal

1074. Factor in Establishing the Lesser Peace

1075. The Supreme Tribunal Will Fulfil Task of Establishing Universal Peace

1076. The Mission of the Supreme Tribunal is to Prevent War

1077. International Executive—A Step Leading to Bahá’í World Government

E. Hands of Cause of God

1078. The Institution of "The Learned"

1079. The Hands of the Cause Not Heirs of Any Name or Title

1080. Tablet Revealed for the Hands of the Cause

1081. Auxiliary Institution of Guardianship

1082. Functions of the Hands of the Cause

1083. The Authority of Expulsion and Reinstatement Exercised by the Hands of the Cause

1084. Prerogative and Obligation of the Hands of the Cause to Consult With Boards of Counsellors and National Assemblies

1085. Inappropriate for Them to Serve on Administrative Institutions

1086. The Rank and Position of the Hands of the Cause of God

F. International Teaching Centre

1087. The International Teaching Centre Establishment and Duties

G. Continental Boards of Counsellors

1088. Duties of Continental Boards of Counsellors

1089. Terms of Office of the Continental Counsellors

1090. Relationship of Counsellors to National Spiritual Assemblies

1091. Relationship Between Boards of Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies

1092. The Counsellors and Auxiliary Board Members are Free from Administrative Responsibilities

1093. The Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assemblies Have One Common Objective

1094. The Counsellors Follow in the Footsteps of the Hands of the Cause

1095. The Functions of the Counsellors and the Spiritual Assemblies are Complementary

1096. The Proper Functioning of Society Requires Preservation of Ranks and Classes

1097. Pride and Self-Aggrandisement are Among the Most Deadly of Sins

1098. Differentials of Rank Meant to Canalize, not Obstruct the Work of the Cause

1099. Counsellors Should Give Wide Latitude to Auxiliary Board Members in Carrying out Their Work

1100. Assemblies Plan and Direct the Work—The Plans Should be Well Known to Counsellors and Auxiliary Board Members

1101. The Counsellors May Report Misconduct of Individuals to the National Spiritual Assembly Through Board Member

1102. Every Institution of this Divinely Created Order is One More Refuge For a Tottering Society

H. Auxiliary Boards for Protection and Propagation

1103. Two Auxiliary Boards with Distinct But Complementary Functions Established by the Guardian

1104. Areas for the Protection Board and Propagation Board are not Necessarily the Same

1105. In Exceptional Circumstances One Board Member Might Cover an Area

1106. Advisable that Auxiliary Board Member Reside in Area Which He Serves

1107. Many of the Functions of Members of the two Boards and Assemblies are Held in Common

1108. The Members of the Boards Should Encourage the Friends and Assemblies to be Unified

1109. Auxiliary Boards Will Stimulate and Help Teaching Work

1110. Auxiliary Board Members Free to Have Direct Contact with Individuals and Local Assemblies

1111. The Friends Should Feel Free to Refer to Either Auxiliary Board Member

1112. Protection Board Members' Responsibilities

1113. Moral Problems Should be Dealt with Only When they Arise

1114. Propagation Board Members' Responsibilities

1115. Members of Auxiliary Boards Should be Freed From Administrative Responsibilities

1116. Auxiliary Board Member Must Decide What to Report to the Local Spiritual Assembly—Generally, the more Freely Information is Shared Between Institutions, the Better

1117. Board Member Should Feel Responsible Before God in the Discharge of his Responsibilities

I. Auxiliary Board Member Assistants

1118. Appointment of Auxiliary Board Members' Assistants

1119. Primary Aim of Assistants is to Stimulate and Assist the Believers

1120. An Assistant May Serve Two Board Members

1121. The House of Justice Prefers that Assistants not Retire from Administrative Work

1122. Assistant Functions Individually, Does not Function in Relation to National Assembly, Should Foster Warm Relationship Between Local Assembly and Board Member

1123. Principle of Confidentiality Applies to Assistant Who is Assembly Member—Most Subjects Dealt with Are not Confidential

J. Relationships Between Counsellors, Auxiliary Board Members and Assistants and National and Local Assemblies and Committees

1124. Authority and Direction Flow From the Assemblies—Counsellors, Auxiliary Board Members and Assistants Advise, Stimulate and Assist

1125. Auxiliary Board Member May Meet with Local Spiritual Assembly Occasionally

1126. Relationship Between Auxiliary Board Members and Local Assemblies Should not be Hampered by Regulations

1127. Problems with Board Members to be Reported To Counsellors

1128. Counsellors Need not Consult with National Spiritual Assembly About Appointments

1129. Gatherings of Counsellors, Board Members, National Assembly Members and Committee Members Encouraged

1130. Auxiliary Board Members and Committees Should Exchange Information

1131. Board Member Reports and Recommendations are Sent to Counsellors, not to National Assembly or Committees

1132. National Spiritual Assemblies Should Refer to Protection Board Members for Protection Matters

1133. Administrative Institutions May Request Auxiliary Board Member to Perform Certain Tasks

1134. Auxiliary Board Members Teach, Advise on, Observe and Report on Administration

1135. It is not Necessary to Inform National Assembly When Board Members Are Working with a Local Spiritual Assembly

1136. National Assemblies Should Avail Themselves of Services of Auxiliary Board Members and Their Assistants