MUHJ63-86/199/Formation of New and Lapsed Assemblies throughout the Year
| ←198 | Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986 Formation of New and Lapsed Assemblies throughout the Year |
200→ |
| 20 November 1977 |
To all National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
199.1 The Universal House of Justice has decided that during the last year of the Five Year Plan, i.e., from 21 April 1978 until 20 April 1979 inclusive, Local Spiritual Assemblies being established for the first time, as well as lapsed Assemblies which achieve adequate strength to regain their Assembly status, may be formed at any time during that year.[1] This means that Local Assemblies [Page 373]formed at Riḍván 1979 will not be counted towards the fulfillment of the goals of the Five Year Plan.
199.2 It is the hope of the Universal House of Justice that this information will enable you to plan your teaching activities intelligently and realistically over the period of time separating us from the end of the Plan, and to intensify your efforts in order to achieve maximum results.
199.3 The Universal House of Justice will offer prayers at the Holy Shrines that the process of forming firmly grounded Local Spiritual Assemblies, which is one of the vital goals of the Five Year Plan, will be pursued with outstanding success through the dedicated efforts of the friends in every land.
- With loving Bahá’í greetings,
- DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARIAT
Notes[edit]
- ↑ It had long been the practice to permit, during the final year of a teaching plan, the formation or re-formation of any Local Spiritual Assembly at any time during that year. This practice is confirmed by this letter for the Five Year Plan. With respect to Spiritual Assemblies that are being formed for the first time, the Universal House of Justice gave a more general permission in its letter dated Naw-Rúz 1974 launching the Five Year Plan (no. 141), saying that such Local Spiritual Assemblies “are to be formed whenever there are nine or more adult believers in the relevant area; thereafter they must be elected or declared at Riḍván.” In a message dated 19 February 1979 (no. 219), the Universal House of Justice informed all National Spiritual Assemblies that this provision would continue to apply after the completion of the Five Year Plan. This ruling remained in effect until Riḍván 1997. Special permission for the formation of certain Local Spiritual Assemblies at any time during the twelve days of Riḍván was given in a message dated 6 March 1977 (no. 189) and extended in the message dated 19 February 1979 (no. 219).
Table Of Contents
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1.1 Notes