MUHJ86-01/172/Release of a Compilation on Entry by Troops

←171

Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1986-2001 Release of a Compilation on Entry by Troops

173→

9 NOVEMBER 1993

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Beloved Friends,

172.1 In the message sent last Riḍván, we drew the attention of the Bahá’í world to the critical need for a massive expansion of the Bahá’í community in the years immediately ahead. The growing receptivity of the peoples of the world to Bahá’u’lláh's Message reinforces our conviction that entry by troops will soon become an established pattern for the growth of the Faith in country after country.

172.2 To assist the National Spiritual Assemblies and all the friends to understand, welcome, initiate and sustain this process, we are enclosing a compilation entitled Promoting Entry by Troops and a covering statement prepared by the Research Department. Whoever studies these illuminating passages will perceive that entry by troops is not merely a stage of the progress of the Cause destined to occur in its own good time, dependent on the receptivity of the population as a whole—it is a phenomenon which the Bahá’í communities, by their own activities, can prepare for and help to bring about. It is also a process which, once started, can be sustained. By a wise allocation of resources and the energetic pursuit of simultaneous plans of expansion, deepening and consolidation, the process of entry by troops should bring about a rapidly increasing supply of active believers, soundly based local communities, and steadily evolving local and national Bahá’í institutions.

172.3 The Bahá’í world needs to foster a united clarity of vision for the expansion of the Cause and all its agencies, and a wide range of activities suited to the differing conditions of both the general population and the individual Bahá’ís. We therefore urge the friends, and especially the Assemblies, to study this compilation, to understand the coherence of its statements, and to use its counsels to lend a renewed impetus to the spread of the Faith and the establishment of the institutions of the Cause of God.

172.4 Above all, in every aspect of teaching the Message, the friends should have confidence in the regenerative power of the Word of God, seek strength from the hosts of divine assistance, and anticipate the bounties that will continually be showered upon them. To build a new world is no easy task. The road is stony and filled with obstacles, but the journey is infinitely rewarding.

171.5 It is our ardent prayer at the Sacred Threshold that the friends throughout the world, with their hearts filled with love for Bahá’u’lláh, will arise to teach His Message to the thirsting multitudes, and will welcome into His Cause all those whose spirits respond to the Divine Summons and who are moved to throw in their lot with the builders of God's Kingdom on this earth.

172.6 We are confident that, guided and assisted by the Counselors and their auxiliaries, you will be confirmed in your efforts to direct the energies of the friends towards this momentous undertaking.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE