The American Bahá’í/Volume 22/Issue 4/Text

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Czechoslovakia to have National Assembly

OUTSTANDING PROGRESS TEACHING WORK

CZECHOSLOVAKIA MOVES US CALL FOR ELECTION COMING RIDVAN NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY THAT COUNTRY WITH SEAT IN PRAGUE. WITH FORMATION NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES USSR AND ROMANIA ALREADY ANNOUNCED, AND THAT OF WEST LEEWARD ISLANDS WITH ITS SEAT IN BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NUMBER OF PILLARS UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE WILL BE RAISED TO ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE.

WORK MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS CONTINUING WITH UTMOST SPEED IN SPITE OF REPERCUSSIONS TROUBLED CONDITIONS MIDDLE EAST. REJOICE ANNOUNCE INITIAL GOAL FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS FUND THIS PURPOSE NOW ACHIEVED. URGE FRIENDS ALL LANDS CONTINUE FLOW VITALLY NEEDED CONTRIBUTIONS ENABLE THESE HISTORIC PROJECTS PROCEED WITHOUT ABATEMENT DURING MONTHS AND YEARS IMMEDIATELY AHEAD.

IRRESISTIBLE ADVANCE CAUSE GOD DURING CURRENT CRISES STRIKING EVIDENCE UNINTERRUPTED DIVINE CONFIRMATIONS. PRAYING FERVENTLY HOLY SHRINES CONTINUING BESTOWALS BLESSED BEAUTY HIS LOVED ONES EVERY LAND.

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE FEBRUARY 20, 1991

Capitol celebration marks Senate ratification of UN Convention Against Torture

On March 7, about 150 guests gathered at the Mansfield Room in the U.S. Capitol building for a reception to celebrate the Senate's ratification last October of the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

Sponsors of the event included the Bahá’ís of the United States, the American Bar Association, Amnesty International USA, the United Nations Association of the USA, B'nai B'rith International, and the Armenian Assembly of America. Twenty senators and representatives, including leaders in both the Senate and House, co-hosted the event.

Key Senate, administration and non-governmental participants were honored for their contributions toward the ratification process. Reception sponsors were recognized and given an opportunity to speak.

Kit Bigelow of the National Assembly's office in Washington, D.C., linked the improved treatment of Bahá’ís in Iran to the ratification of UN human rights treaties. Ms. Bigelow also introduced Richard Schifter, Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, with a tribute recognizing his vital role in drafting and promoting the UN Convention Against Torture.

Other honorees who attended included Sen. Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Senate minority leader Robert Dole of Kansas; Sen. Paul Sarbanes of Maryland, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Rep. John Porter of Illinois, co-chairman of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus; and Rep. Patricia Schroeder of Colorado.

Speakers emphasized the importance of U.S. ratification of the pending UN human rights treaties including the Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on Racial Discrimination, the Convention on Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The next stage in the ratification of the UN Convention Against Torture is for the Congress to pass legislation making the Convention part of the U.S. legal code. Implementation legislation will then be forwarded to the President for his signature.

The final step after the President's signing of the legislation is the deposit of the treaty with the UN Secretary-General.

"The real treasury of man is his knowledge."—Bahá’u’lláh

The 1991 Ridván message

To the Bahá’ís of the World

Dearly-loved Friends,

No earthly tongue can voice the gratitude we feel for the extraordinary bestowals vouchsafed by the Blessed Beauty to His world-wide community and to the World Center of His Faith during the year just ended. We bow our heads in humility before the striking evidences of His sustaining grace and all-compelling might.

The overwhelming danger which, as a result of the turmoil in the Middle East, enveloped the Holy Land during the latter part of the year receded without halting or even seriously hampering the operation of the Bahá’í administration. The situation was a poignant reminder of the contrast between the unobtrusive, steadily developing, distinctly integrative System of Bahá’u’lláh and the turbulent character of the Age of Transition, "whose tribulations," Shoghi Effendi avers, "are the precursors of that Era of blissful felicity which is to incarnate God's ultimate purpose for all mankind." It was another of the "ominous signs simultaneously proclaiming the agonies of a disintegrating civilization and the birth pangs of that World Order—that Ark of human salvation—that must needs arise upon its ruins."

The forces which united the remedial reactions of so many nations to the sudden crisis in this region demonstrated beyond any doubt the necessity of the principle of collective security prescribed by Bahá’u’lláh more than a century ago as a means of resolving conflict. While the international arrangement envisioned by Him for the full application of this principle is far from having been adopted by the rulers of mankind, a long step toward the behavior outlined for the nations by the Lord of the Age has thus been taken. How illuminating are Bahá’u’lláh's words foreshadowing the future reorientation of the nations: "Be united, O concourse of the sovereigns of the world," He wrote, "for thereby will the tempest of discord be stilled amongst you, and your peoples find rest. Should any one among you take up arms against another, rise ye all against him, for this is naught but manifest justice."

"The magnificent progress of the Six Year Plan brightens our spirits and exalts our hopes."

Indeed, from whatever direction we gaze, the power of Bahá’u’lláh's Revelation is visibly at work in the world. In the call for a new world order, which has issued like a refrain from the statements of political leaders and influential thinkers, even when they themselves were incapable of defining their own meaning, can be discerned the slow awakening of humanity to the principal purpose of His Revelation. That such a call should have come so insistently from the head of that republic which is destined, in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's words, to lead all nations spiritually, is an event of fundamental significance.

House, Senate panels consider rights of Bahá’ís in Iran

The House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held hearings on February 26 and 28, respectively, concerning the U.S. State Department's "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 1990." During both hearings, the situation of the Bahá’ís in Iran was considered.

Testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Human Rights, Richard Schifter, Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, said, "The level of abuse against individual Bahá’ís has decreased... but the fact of the matter is that the Bahá’í community is still subject to persecution."

According to the State Department's 1990 report on the status of human rights in Iran, the Bahá’í community continues to suffer discrimination. Following the trend of the past several years, repression of individual Bahá’ís has been mitigated with no executions and fewer than 10 Bahá’ís in prison.

The report notes, however, that the Bahá’í community is still prohibited from carrying out religious activities or electing its leaders.

At the close of his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rep. John Porter of Illinois cited the improved situation of the Bahá’ís in Iran as being an example of what can happen when the U.S. and the world community takes a consistent stand on human rights.

News and Announcements

• • Planning Summer Teaching**

Make sure your goals are well-defined.

• • World Congress Registration**

It begins this month and lasts for one year.

• • Wolcott Tutorial School**

Bahá’ís run the informal school for local villagers.

• • North Shore Bahá’ís Walk for Race Unity**

Wilmette walk opens year-long campaign. [Page 2]

Teaching projects need careful planning, well-defined goals

Many communities are planning summer teaching projects. Below is a reprint of an article from The DirectLine, a bi-monthly bulletin produced by the National Teaching Committee, which may be useful in planning these projects.

A teaching project is an intensive teaching effort directed at a particular population, for a specific and announced period of time, which acts as a boost to the regular and sustained teaching of a Bahá’í community.

While usually sponsored and directed by a local Spiritual Assembly, a teaching project may be sponsored by a District Teaching Committee in isolated areas where there is not a functioning Assembly nearby. In making a decision to have a teaching project, an Assembly or committee should carefully consider the needs and resources of the Faith in that area.

The first step in planning a teaching project is to define its goal (the purpose of the project) and specific, measurable objectives (ways in which that purpose will be accomplished).

Defining a group to which teaching will be directed is an initial step in formulating these plans. If a certain minority or economic group is under-represented in the Bahá’í community, for example, an Assembly may wish to focus its efforts on that group to ensure diversity.

A simple teaching plan should provide courses of action that believers will use to achieve the teaching objectives within the chosen population.

A sharpened focus of the project’s resources on one population does not exclude teaching others; rather, it channels the community’s resources into a united effort. Once a population is chosen, appropriate teaching methods can be identified and designed.

The majority of a project’s efforts and activities should be self-sustaining, relying on the human, financial and other resources available locally.

Assemblies planning teaching projects should assess the human resources available for teaching and administering the project and mobilize those resources to serve the project.

The majority of the community’s human resources must be involved in the teaching work. A variety of entry points to participation should be presented to community members so that they will be aware of ways in which they can help and be able to choose those ways that will be most suitable to their individual natures.

Mobilizing human resources is important because the community members can also help to provide financial and other resources, such as transportation and meeting space.

A teaching project should have a defined time frame or duration. Within this time frame is a period for planning in which tasks, such as food preparation or contacting local authorities, are identified and assigned.

Also within the time frame is a beginning date for actual teaching activity, a date at which the next step (if any) will be determined, and a date marking the end of the project.

Throughout the project, periods for regular evaluation should be designated. A number of factors should be considered in assessing the project’s progress: the effectiveness of approaches being used; the availability and proper use of human and other resources; the nature of the successes being achieved; and the extent of involvement of new believers in the teaching work and community life.

The initial thrust of a project’s efforts should be designed to break through existing enrollment patterns by bringing in an increased number of new believers. In the enrollment process, a balance between expansion and consolidation is maintained by the ‎projecters’ projectors’‎ working at immediately integrating as many new believers as possible into community life.

One important measure of the success of a teaching project should be the extent to which some percentage of the new believers become involved in the teaching work and other paths of service.

In addition, efforts to involve greater numbers of veteran believers in the teaching project should be made on a regular basis.

Lines for decision-making need to be clearly defined. In the case of an Assembly-appointed task force, the scope of responsibility and authority for making decisions needs to be delineated clearly to the Bahá’í community.

A project coordinator should be appointed by the sponsoring agency. The coordinator’s role is to keep activities focused on the vision of the project, to ensure its steady progress, and to oversee its daily operations.

Auxiliary Board members and assistants should be consulted and involved at all stages of the project. This collaboration, facilitated through constant communication, is essential to success.

Spiritual Assemblies and District Teaching Committees interested in implementing a teaching project should also contact the National Teaching Committee office at the Bahá’í National Center as another source of guidance and support.

Available from the National Teaching Committee office is a booklet entitled “Teaching Project Guidelines” which provides a detailed outline regarding planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating teaching projects.

Corinne New, an 18-year-old Bahá’í from Carrollton, Georgia (background), lends a hand with laundry and cleaning, one of the weekly chores she performs while serving as a youth Year of Service volunteer in Guyana.

10th annual San Jose Community Service banquet honors environment with awards to two activists

On February 16, the 10th annual San Jose Bahá’í Community Service Awards banquet drew 160 people including U.S. Congressman Norman Mineta to the Downtown Holiday Inn.

With “The Environment” as their theme, the Bahá’ís of San Jose presented awards to David Brower, chairman of the Earth Island Institute and leader in the Sierra Club; Dr. Craig Schindler, president of Project Victory; and Michelle Yesney, director of the San Jose Office of Environmental Management.

During the banquet, a representative of state Sen. Milton Marks of San Francisco presented to the Bahá’ís, on the senator’s behalf, a Certificate of Recognition honoring the 10th anniversary of the Community Service Awards.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Peter T. Haug, a Bahá’í from Tumwater, Washington, who is a systems ecologist with the Washington state Office of Wildlife, spoke on “The Environmental Crisis—End or Beginning?”

Radio station KBRG, San Jose’s only Spanish-language FM station, taped a first-ever bilingual interview with Dr. Haug, during which the interviewer mentioned the Faith a number of times.

Taking an unscheduled turn at the podium during the banquet, Rep. Mineta praised the Bahá’ís for their dedication to peace and the environment, and told a childhood story of ‎oicycling bicycling‎ past the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette while it was still under construction.

Each award recipient received a delicately sculpted glass figure created by artist Vern Allie, a Bahá’í from Los Gatos, inscribed with the quotation, “The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”

A number of area dignitaries attended the banquet including representatives of the local chapter of the NAACP and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Santa Clara County.

Also attending were Auxiliary Board members Marsha Gilpatrick and Richard Groger.

Pictured as they began the march are some of the more than 40 Bahá’ís from the metro New Orleans area who took part in the city’s annual parade honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It marked the fourth year in which the Bahá’ís of New Orleans participated in the event. That evening, about 20 Bahá’ís attended a banquet honoring Dr. King in Harvey, Louisiana. [Page 3]

THE 1991 RIDVAN MESSAGE

be “the first nation to establish the foundation of international agreement” and to “lead all nations spiritually,” is an indication of the efficacy and the acceleration of two simultaneous processes, one operating outside and one inside the Cause, which Shoghi Effendi tells us are destined to culminate “in a single glorious consummation.”

Within the Cause, the signs of overwhelming achievements for the Six Year Plan, though not necessarily as projected at the outset, are abundant. Arresting examples are evident in the wake of the phenomenal changes occurring in the Soviet Union and its former satellite countries. Just one year since the re-establishment of the local Spiritual Assembly of Moscow, a National Spiritual Assembly of the Soviet Union is to be formed. Similarly, little more than a year since the revolutionary political changes in Romania, the government has recognized the Bahá’í community as a religious association with the right to spread the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh; here, too, a National Spiritual Assembly is to be formed this Ridván. Rapid expansion of the Faith in Czechoslovakia compelled the decision taken only in recent weeks also to establish a National Spiritual Assembly there. At the same time, in the Caribbean area, the National Spiritual Assembly of the West Leeward Islands will be formed as a result of the division of the Leeward Islands group into two regional administrative units. With these four very welcome formations, the number of National Spiritual Assemblies reaches 155.

We are happy to say that three Hands of the Cause of God will represent the Universal House of Justice at these historic events: Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum in Romania, Mr. ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan in the Soviet Union, and Dr. ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqá in Czechoslovakia. Counselor Ruth Pringle will be the representative in the West Leeward Islands.

Another illustration of the rising authority of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh in the public mind emerges from Germany, where the Federal Constitutional Court, the highest legal authority in the land, rendered a decision of capital importance to the recognition of the Faith. A series of lower courts had refused to register the by-laws of a local Spiritual Assembly on the grounds that the authority granted to the National Spiritual Assembly in that document violated the legal principle requiring the autonomy of all legally incorporated associations. The issues involved are indeed complex and cannot be elaborated here. Suffice it to say that the Federal Constitutional Court upheld the appeal of the local Spiritual Assembly in a long, closely-reasoned decision in which, among other things, it affirmed the right of the Bahá’í community to gain legal capacity in the very shape ordained in the scriptures of the Bahá’í Faith and stated that its nature as a recognized religion was unquestionably confirmed by its inherent character, by public knowledge, and by the testimony of scholars of comparative religion. So significant was the verdict in the Court’s own estimation that it took the rare step of issuing a statement to the press explaining its decision. This outstanding act will have implications for the Bahá’í community far beyond the borders of a united Germany.

Yet another instance of the growing public appreciation for the penetrating perspectives of the Cause involves the Republic of South Africa, where the National Spiritual Assembly, taking advantage of the initiatives of the government toward resolving the decades-long problem of apartheid, decided to submit its views for the drafting of a new constitution for the country. The President of the South African Law Commission, the judge acting on behalf of the government, who received the National Spiritual Assembly’s submission from a delegation appointed by it, commented that the Bahá’ís were the only group thus far whose ideas had provided a spiritual and moral foundation for a constitution.

Whatever may be the individual effects of any one of these aforementioned developments—and of such others as the appearance of a representative of the Bahá’í International Community as the only non-Buddhist speaker invited to address a public meeting held in conjunction with the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace in Mongolia; the specific mention of the Bahá’ís by Pope John Paul II at a reception during his recent visit to Burundi; the official listing of the Bahá’í Faith as one of the common religions in Tuvalu; the International Exposition on Education for Peace sponsored by the Brazilian National Spiritual Assembly with the participation of 23 embassies and educational institutions—one thing is abundantly clear: the cumulative impact across the globe affirms the emergence of the Faith from obscurity. Such marks of increasing public recognition of the true character and rich potentialities of the Bahá’í community are a distinctive feature of the advancement of the Faith in the fourth epoch of the Formative Age.

In contemplating these marvelous signs and portents, we cannot resist the impulse to express our profound love and appreciation to the Continental Counselors, and to their Auxiliary Boards, who stimulate and buttress efforts which make possible the accomplishment of such stupendous developments as have already been cited and whose ministrations, more especially, spur the dynamic thrust of the teaching work, which is fundamental to all of the community’s successes. We are delighted and encouraged beyond measure by the vigorous beginning which the Boards of Counselors have made as they entered the new term of their indispensable and highly appreciated services to the Bahá’í world. The fresh initiatives to which, with the wholehearted encouragement and splendid support of the International Teaching Center, they now bend their energies augur well for a gratifying completion of the Six Year Plan. May their exertions be greatly bolstered by the increase, as of the Day of the Covenant this year, in the number of Auxiliary Board members to 846—90 more than exist at present. The world-wide community will certainly welcome the strength which this action will bring to the scope and quality of the spiritual duties assigned to the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants, whose operation at the grass roots is a guarantee of the continued expansion and consolidation of our glorious Faith.

The magnificent progress of the Six Year Plan brightens our spirits and exalts our hopes. All but one of the years of that Plan have passed and a mighty advance toward achieving its seven major objectives has been made. Our community has changed dramatically from what it was at the Plan’s beginning in 1986. It has greatly expanded and developed. It is more diverse, more dynamic, more distinctive. As we enter the closing year of the Six Year Plan, a horizon of thrilling prospects stands before us all:

• The preparation of the long-expected, annotated English translation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Book of Laws, the Most Holy Book, the Mother Book of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation, will be completed—a monumental achievement which alone and of itself will usher in a new stage in the evolution of the Bahá’í world and thus crown the accomplishments of the Six Year Plan.
• Earthwork on the lower Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb and excavation for the Center for the Study of the Texts and the Annex to the International Archives Building will commence, initiating a new phase of these mighty and incalculably significant enterprises on God’s Holy Mountain.
• The Plan’s end will mark the beginning of the Holy Year, 1992–1993, a conscious year-long pause to allow His followers to pay befitting regard to the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh and of the inauguration of His world-unifying Covenant. As has already been announced, major observances are being planned to reflect the distinctive character and world-shaking importance of the two occasions.

The one: the gathering of representatives of the Bahá’í world, along with Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, at Bahjí in the precincts of the Mansion, from whence Bahá’u’lláh’s liberated Spirit repaired to the throne of His heavenly sovereignty, and in the vicinity of the Most Holy Shrine, wherein the Roll of Honor of the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh will be deposited as a gesture indicative of the response of His lovers to His call to spread His teachings throughout the earth. There at Bahjí this gathering will engage in a solemn act of worship, the sacred readings for which will soon be shared with Bahá’í communities everywhere for use in their own commemorations, so as to unify the devotional experience of the entire Bahá’í world during this centennial observance.

The other: the World Congress scheduled to be held November 23–26, 1992, in New York City, where the beloved Master revealed the implications of His station as the appointed Center of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh and which He designated as the City of the Covenant. Throughout the world, Bahá’í communities will hold appropriate auxiliary events to magnify the Congress’s purpose, which is to celebrate the centenary of the inauguration of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh and to proclaim its aims and unifying power. A corollary to these activities will be the wide distribution of a statement on Bahá’u’lláh, prepared at our request by the Office of Public Information, which will serve both as a source of study and inspiration for the Bahá’ís themselves and as an informative publication for presentation to the public. In these and other ways the community of the Greatest Name will endeavor to blazon the Name of Bahá’u’lláh across the globe, to make it a known eminence in the consciousness of peoples everywhere.

Such an exceptional confluence of imminent achievements—the publication of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the progress of the building projects on Mount Carmel, the conclusion of the Six Year Plan, the inception of the Holy Year—animates the expectations of the Bahá’í world, sets the stage for mightier endeavors than have already been attempted, and points us all to the opening of a new phase of history. It seems fitting, then, that the sacred law which enables each one to express his or her personal sense of devotion to God in a profoundly private act of conscience that promotes the common good, which directly connects the individual believer with the Central Institution of the Faith, and which, above all, ensures to the obedient and the sincere the ineffable grace and abundant blessings of Providence, should, at this favorable juncture, be embraced by all who profess their belief in the Supreme Manifestation of God. With humility before our sovereign Lord, we now announce that as of Ridván 1992, the beginning of the Holy Year, the Law of Huqúqu’lláh, the Right of God, will become universally applicable. All are lovingly called to observe it.

Our very dear brothers and sisters: Witness how the Beloved One has answered our entreaties. See how He has enriched our lives with new brethren and new institutions in lands hitherto closed to His healing Word. Consider with what potency His divine prescriptions are being affirmed as guidelines for the behavior of nations large and small. Surely such abounding benedictions have imbued you with indomitable courage and with confidence to face a challenging but brilliant future. Indeed, you have embarked on this auspicious year poised for the ultimate triumph of the Six Year Plan.

May you continue, through your selfless deeds in His service, to be blessed from the inexhaustible treasury of His love and tender care.

The Universal House of Justice Ridván 1991

Iran report

In his written statement, Rep. Porter remarked, “While this is encouraging, it is important that we in Congress, along with the administration, continue to monitor closely the situation of the Bahá’ís and ensure that they enjoy basic human freedoms in Iran and elsewhere in the world.”

The National Spiritual Assembly, in a statement on the State Department report that was released to news media and government officials, commented, “While we welcome recent improvements in the status of individual Bahá’ís, we call upon the government of Iran to emancipate the Bahá’í community and to grant Bahá’ís the basic rights guaranteed by international law.”

“Whoso ariseth, in this Day, to aid our Cause, and summoneth to his assistance the hosts of a praiseworthy character and upright conduct, the influence flowing from such an action will, most certainly, be diffused throughout the whole world.”—Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 334 [Page 4]

United Nations job vacancies

Finding out about specific United Nations job vacancies and where and how to apply can be a real challenge. With dozens of specialized agencies and special programs within the UN, recruitment is decentralized, conducted by the specific agency or, in some cases, an individual office. Vacancies are not widely announced and application periods can be short.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you can send a résumé to the Office of UN System Recruitment at the U.S. Department of State. This office exists to assure UN agencies access to qualified U.S. applicants. It is not a placement service; it coordinates recruitment of qualified U.S. citizens through liaison with relevant government agencies and academic institutions.

The office sends out résumés of those on its roster in response to UN vacancies, and if a particular agency is interested that agency will contact the candidate for additional information. The best candidates for the roster are specialists.

In virtually all cases the candidate must have an advanced degree, a real working knowledge of at least one other language and strong, relevant professional experience. For mid-level positions, at least five years experience is desired.

Recruitment priorities for the 1990s are for individuals with technical skills relating to developmental and environmental aspects of private industry. Of special interest are biotechnologists and metallurgical, computer and pharmaceutical specialists.

For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

TWO-YEAR PLAN U.S. GOALS

• • SHORT-TERM PIONEERS**

(Goal / Sent / Goals Open) Bulgaria: 2 / 0 / 2 Czechoslovakia: 4 / 1 / 3 DDR/East Germany: 2 / 0 / 2 Hungary: 2 / 0 / 2 Poland: 2 / 0 / 2 Romania: 1 / 0 / 1 USSR: 4 / 3 / 1 Ukraine: 2 / 1 / 1 Kazakhstan: 2 / 1 / 1 Other Republics: 4 / 1 / 3 Yugoslavia: 4 / 0 / 4 Mongolia: 1 / 0 / 1 China: 2 / 0 / 2 Totals: 32 / 7 / 25

• • LONG-TERM PIONEERS**

(Goal / Sent / Goals Open) Bulgaria: 1 / 0 / 1 Czechoslovakia: 4 / 9 / 0 DDR/East Germany: 2 / 3 / 0 Hungary: 2 / 2 / 0 Poland: 1 / 2 / 0 Romania: 1 / 2 / 0 USSR: 3 / 3 / 0 Ukraine: 2 / 3 / 0 Kazakhstan: 2 / 0 / 2 Other Republics: 2 / 4 / 0 Yugoslavia: 2 / 1 / 1 China: 7 / 4 / 3 Totals: 31 / 33 / 7

May 2-5, EL SALVADOR: International Bahá’í Television Conference, San Salvador.

May 15-31, ROMANIA: Project Moldavia, Eastern Romania.

May 30-June 7, HAWAII: Pacific Women's Conference.

June 27-30, HUNGARY: Third International Book Fair in Budapest.

July 1-14, HUNGARY: Collis Featherstone Project in Gyoer.

July 1-15, ROMANIA: Bahá’í Children's Camp, at the Romanian seaside.

July 10-25, ROMANIA: Tahirih Project Part II.

July 10-24 or July 17-31, ROMANIA: Project Felix.

July 11-14, MEXICO: International Youth Conference with teaching projects immediately following.

July 15-28, HUNGARY: Collis Featherstone Project II in Szekesfehervar; July 29 or August 4, European Bahá’í Youth Conference followed by teaching activities.

August 12-16, HUNGARY: Third Hungarian Summer School.

August 10-14, NETHERLANDS: Art Forum '91.

October 31-November 4, NIGERIA: Bahá’í International Women's Conference, Ile-Ife.

There are teaching activities planned in the SOVIET UNION for these dates: April 6-21, June 23-July 7, June 29-July 21, July 7-21, July 21-August 4, August 24-September 7, August 4-18, August 18-31, and August 4-25.

Bahá’í Association for the Arts (BAFA) Art Festival in Czechoslovakia this summer. Dates to be announced.

CURRENT U.S. PIONEERING GOALS

• • AFRICA**

(Goals Assigned / Pioneers Sent / Open Goals) (F) Burundi: 1 / 1 / 0 (E) Ciskei: 2 / 2 / 0 (E) The Gambia (Preferably Persians): 2 / 3 / 0 (E) Kenya (Preferably Outside Nairobi): 1 / 4 / 0 (E) Nigeria: 3 / 5 / 0 (E) Sierra Leone: 2 / 2 / 0 (E) South Africa: 2 / 17 / 0 (E) St. Helena: 2 / 1 / 1 (E) Namibia: 2 / 2 / 0 (E) Transkei: 2 / 1 / 1 (E) Uganda (One to teach the Faith in the university; one doctor): 2 / 11 / 0 (E) Venda: 2 / 2 / 0 Total for Africa: 23 / 53 / 2

• • AMERICAS**

(Goals Assigned / Pioneers Sent / Open Goals) (E) Bahamas (North Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, Long Island): 3 / 0 / 3 (E) Barbados (Employment opportunities for a dentist): 1 / 3 / 0 (E) Belize (For radio, consolidation, development projects; skills for the National Secretariat): 2 / 17 / 0 (P) Brazil (Preferably for Amazon project, possibly of Persian background): 2 / 2 / 0 (S) Chile (Juan Fernandez Islands, preferably a Spanish-speaking couple): 2 / 1 / 1 (E) Dominica: 2 / 2 / 0 (F) French Guiana (Preferably Persian): 3 / 0 / 3 (E) Grenada: 2 / 4 / 0 (F) Guadeloupe (Opportunities for English teachers): 2 / 2 / 0 (E) Guyana (Preferably East Indians and Blacks): 2 / 2 / 0 (S) Honduras (Bay Islands, Yoro, Colon; preferably self-supporting): 2 / 2 / 0 (E) Jamaica (Preferably self-supporting for rural areas to work in village development): 2 / 0 / 2 (F) Martinique (French-speaking youth to enroll in university or with musical talent): 2 / 0 / 2 (S) Nicaragua (Preferably Persian): 4 / 5 / 0 (E) St. Lucia (Skills in community consolidation): 2 / 5 / 0 (E) St. Vincent & Grenadines: 2 / 0 / 2 (D) Suriname (Preferably Persian): 2 / 4 / 0 (E) Trinidad & Tobago (Preferably Persian): 2 / 4 / 0 (S) Uruguay: 2 / 11 / 0 (S) Venezuela: 2 / 4 / 0 (E) Virgin Islands, British: 2 / 2 / 0 Total for Americas: 45 / 75 / 13

• • ASIA**

(Goals Assigned / Pioneers Sent / Open Goals) (E) India: 2 / 8 / 0 (E) Nepal: 2 / 2 / 0 (E) Malaysia (To help develop public relations experts): 2 / 0 / 2 (M) Taiwan (Chinese Background): 1 / 18 / 0 Total for Asia: 7 / 28 / 2

• • AUSTRALASIA**

(Goals Assigned / Pioneers Sent / Open Goals) (E) Marshall Islands (To help with administration): 1 / 3 / 0 Total for Australasia: 1 / 3 / 0

• • EUROPE**

(Goals Assigned / Pioneers Sent / Open Goals) (P) Portugal (Couples for goal areas outside greater Lisbon, preferably Portuguese or Spanish-speaking): 1 / 14 / 0 Total for Europe: 1 / 14 / 0

• • TOTALS**

Total goals assigned: 77 Total goals filled: 58 Pioneers to goal countries: 205 Pioneers to non-goals: 363 Pioneers filling goals for other countries: 8 Total Pioneers sent: 576

Language Key: (E) English (D) Dutch (F) French (M) Mandarin (P) Portuguese (S) Spanish [Page 5]

THE FUNDS

The third part in the series about earmarking concerns the local Spiritual Assembly goal program. There have been many questions from the friends about the origin of the program, and whether earmarking is still permissible given local goals.

The LSA goal program is intended to cultivate a more systematic, united approach to the needs of the National Fund. The focus is on giving by local Assemblies. This passage from the Universal House of Justice puts the program in some perspective:

"As to contributions to the National Fund, it is not permissible to impose a tax or an assessment on local Assemblies, but you may certainly inform local Assemblies of the needs of the National Fund and may suggest a certain percentage as a guide to them in making contributions. In doing this you may point out that support of the National Fund is an obligation not only of the believers, but of all local Assemblies as well. It is permissible, however, for a local Assembly to fix a percentage of its receipts as an amount to be contributed to the National Fund." (Written on behalf of the House of Justice, quoted in Lights of Guidance, p. 261)

The goals were suggested by the National Assembly in relation to that part of each Assembly's budget allocated for the National Bahá’í Fund. Other donations the local institutions may wish to make for other funds or other purposes are in addition to their commitment to the National Assembly. By the same token, individual contributions, whether made through the local treasury or sent directly to the National Assembly, would not be counted toward the goal chosen by the local Assembly. The principle that applies here is contained in this message written on behalf of the Guardian, in the context of the national and international funds:

"The Guardian feels that your Assembly when allocating its annual budget, and having stipulated what sum is for the purposes of the International Center of the Faith, should immediately pigeon-hole that sum to be at the Guardian's disposal. Any monies received as contributions from the Bahá’ís for the International Center should not be credited to this account which represents a national joint contribution, and has nothing to do with individual or local contributions forwarded to the World Center in your care." (Quoted in the Universal House of Justice's compilation, "Bahá’í Funds," p. 12 [1988 Canadian edition])

It is essential that local bodies advise the National Spiritual Assembly what their goal will be. One of the great advantages of this kind of program is that progress can be tracked systematically. Contributions to the Funds are an outward sign of spiritual condition; by looking at progress toward the goals, the National Assembly and the Counselors are in a much better position to foster and encourage the spiritual development of each institution.

There was a time when the friends would only give to the local Fund. Many local Assemblies budget allocations for the National Bahá’í Fund, however, were relatively small. This, in turn, created a situation in which the ability to carry out the national affairs of the Cause was sometimes inhibited. What is becoming clear in the letters from local Assemblies is that they are evolving a different understanding of their responsibilities and relationships with the National Assembly.

At the same time, individual giving is also very important at all levels of the Faith's affairs. The Guardian stated it this way, in relation to building the Institutions at the World Center: "I am moved to renew my fervent plea addressed to all national and local Assemblies and believers...to arise and determinedly gird up their loins to contribute, through curtailment of budgets, adequate appropriations from national and local funds, as well as direct sustained individual donations, to insure uninterrupted financial support, however great the sacrifice involved, however heavy the burdens, however distracting the successive crises of the present hour." (Messages to the Bahá’í World, p. 9)

A combination of support through "joint" contributions (unrestricted offerings to local or national institutions) and individual gifts, whether direct or by means of earmarking, is the prerogative of every believer. How each one will avail himself or herself of these opportunities will depend on personal choice and individual circumstance.

One thing, though, is wonderfully clear: in responding to the Covenant of God in this way, each one is abundantly blessed and supported: "O Friends of God! Be ye assured that in place of these contributions, your agriculture, your industry, and your commerce will be blessed by manifold increases, with goodly gifts and bestowals."—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Huqúqu’lláh

Huququ’lláh (the Right of God) is a law revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Obeying the Law of Huqú’qu’lláh purifies the material wealth we acquire by giving back to the Cause of God a part of that which has come from our Creator.

At this time, the Law of Huqúqu’lláh is binding only on Persian believers and those who are required to observe the law in their native country. Western believers are free to pay Huqúqu’lláh if they so choose. Payments to Huqú’qu’lláh are tax-deductible for federal income and estate taxes.

Questions or payments should be addressed to one of the following Trustees:

Dr. Elsie Austin, P.O. Box 927, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402; Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116.

Writings of Guardian offer sound advice

World events should lead friends to re-evaluate response to vast opportunities presented by God's Plan for mankind

Recently, the Office of the Treasurer received a letter from a friend in California who asked: "I have obtained a certificate of deposit...(which is) all the money I have in the world....My question is, in light of the recent events in the Gulf, is it advisable for me to donate all the money to the Arc now, or would it be wiser for me to hang on to it?"

At a time when world events seem every day to offer fresh insight into the workings of God's Plan, this question raises issues that are at the heart of our belief as Bahá’ís. What is the meaning of the tasks before us, in light of these events? What posture should we take? What is the balance between practicality and reliance on God at a time of such intense urgency?

In the belief that many of the believers are grappling with these same issues in their own lives, we wished to share some passages from the Writings that might have a bearing on these matters.

The questioner in the above letter clearly feels the great urgency of building the Arc, described by the Universal House of Justice as the "metropolis of the kingdom of God on earth." The Guardian linked events such as those that have so recently convulsed the Middle East with the building of the Seat for the Administrative Order in this passage: "Rumblings, loud and persistent, presaging a crisis of extreme severity in world affairs, confront them [the American Bahá’ís] with a challenge which, in spite of what they have already accomplished, they cannot and must not either ignore or underrate. The rise of the World Administrative Center of their Faith, within the precincts and under the shadow of its World Spiritual Center, a process that has been kept in abeyance for well nigh 30 years, whilst the machinery of the national and local institutions of a nascent Order was being erected and perfected, presents them with an opportunity which, as the champion-builders of that Order and the torchbearers of an as yet unborn civilization, they must seize with alacrity, resolution and utter consecration." (Citadel of Faith, p. 91)

In referring to these opportunities, unique in the history of our Faith, Shoghi Effendi wrote: "These Edifices will, in the shape of a far-flung arc, and following a harmonizing style of architecture, surround the resting-places of the Greatest Holy Leaf, ranking as foremost among the members of her sex in the Bahá’í Dispensation, of her Brother, offered up as a ransom by Bahá’u’lláh for the quickening of the world and its unification, and of their Mother, proclaimed by Him to be His chosen 'consort in all the worlds of God.' The ultimate completion of this stupendous undertaking will mark the culmination of the development of a world-wide divinely-appointed Administrative Order whose beginnings may be traced as far back as the concluding years of the Heroic Age of the Faith. This vast and irresistible process, unexampled in the spiritual history of mankind, and which will synchronize with two no less significant developments—the establishment of the Lesser Peace and the evolution of Bahá’í national and local institutions—the one outside and the other within the

[Northern Nevada Marriage Retreat]

In response to the Universal House of Justice's compilation on 'Preserving Bahá’í Marriages,' the assistants to Auxiliary Board members in northern Nevada and the Northern Nevada Bahá’í Schools Committee sponsored a recent weekend Bahá’í marriage retreat. The eight people who attended discussed various topics affecting Bahá’í marriage including sexuality, stress, friendship, parent-child relationships, and teaching the Faith to married couples. The Spiritual Assembly of Reno, which has been spending much of its time and energy raising the quality of Bahá’í marriages and families, is pleased to note that family relationships in that community have been greatly strengthened since the program began. [Page 6]

Publications for Teaching Proclamation • Personal Development

NEW PUBLICATIONS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN TO AID IN UNDERSTANDING PRINCIPLES OF THE FAITH

SPECIAL SALE extended through May

Lights of Guidance compiled by Helen Hornby HC $22.95 WAS $29.95 The Distribution Service has decided to extend through May the sale price of $22.95 on this well-known reference book that has served as a mainstay for Bahá’í communities around the globe since its first introduction in 1983. It presents quotes from the Central Figures, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice on a wide variety of topics including: the Administrative Order, The Fast, Education of Children, Begging, the Haziratu’l-Quds, Ceremonies, Death, The Covenant, The Family, The Bahá’í Fund, Consultation, The Feast, Firesides, etc. 6-1/4 x 9-1/4 inches, 540 pages, preface, addenda, supplement to addenda, index Bahá’í Publishing Trust of India

Green Acre on the Piscataqua A Centennial Celebration by The Green Acre Council HC $50.00 / SC $19.95 Who was Sarah J. Farmer and what was her vision of Green Acre? What attracted such people as W.E.B. Dubois, Swami Vivekananda, William Lloyd Garrison, and Booker T. Washington to Green Acre in its early days? How was Green Acre given its name by the poet John Greenleaf Whittier? What happened during ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s week-long stay at Green Acre and why did He refer to it as the “Akka of the Western World?” These and other questions are answered in this moving account of Green Acre’s one-hundred year history, which chronicles its development as it evolved from a resort hotel in 1890 to a Bahá’í school attracting visitors from all over the world. 8 x 9-1/2 inches, 131 pages, foreword, introduction, map, 103 photographs The Green Acre Bahá’í School Council

Willie and the Number Three Door and Other Adventures by Adrienne Ellis Reeves illustrated by Leona Hosack SC $9.95 A collection of four stories in the life of a young South Carolina Bahá’í boy, Willie Johnson, as he enters the first grade through the third. Using familiar ordinary incidents faced by children, the author presents a series of adventures in which Willie learns that the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith are a touchstone as he confronts his fears and attempts to develop the spiritual qualities of courage, honesty, patience, trustfulness, and responsibility. 5-1/4 x 8-1/4 inches, 120 pages, 24 black-and-white illustrations Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United States

Teaching Peace by Red Grammer CS $9.95 One of the most popular of Bahá’í children’s tapes, Teaching Peace, is once again available from the Distribution Service, after more than a year of being unavailable. Teaching Peace not only speaks to children and the child in all of us but also presents a children’s chorus that is very successful in involving children. The message of the songs, although presented on a child’s level, speaks to the unity of all humanity, the upraising of personal esteem, the equality of women and men, the power of language to inspire or hurt, global consciousness, and many more. Suitable for children ages 3 and up. Smilin’ Atcha Music

SPECIAL OFFER

Bahá’u’lláh: Shams-i-Haqiqát by H. M. Balyuzi; translated by Minu Sabet HC $55.00 Bahá’u’lláh: The King of Glory written by the Hand of the Cause of God H. M. Balyuzi was published in English in 1980, and is the life-story of Bahá’u’lláh. This highly acclaimed biography is now available for the first time in the author’s native Persian language. Apart from a variety of documents and sundry accounts, the chief sources used by Mr. Balyuzi are the unpublished part of the immortal chronicle by Mullá Muhammad-i-Zarandí, Nabíl-i-A’zam; the reminiscences of the orphaned son of Áqá Muhammad-Javád-i-Káshání, Áqá Husayn-i-Ashchí, who grew up in the household of Bahá’u’lláh, and the narrative of Áqá Muhammad-Ridáy-i-Qannád-i-Shírází, a native of Shíráz, who was closely associated with Bahá’u’lláh from His Baghdád days until His ascension.

The Bahá’í Distribution Service has purchased a small quantity of this title at a reduced, pre-publication price of $55.00 from the publisher. This is a limited one-time offer. There are only 150 copies of this title currently in stock. When these have been sold, the price will rise to the normal list price of $65.00. 6-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches, introduction, preface, biographical notes, glossary, bibliography, references, general index ‎Geroge George‎ Ronald, Publisher

Attention Customers The Bahá’í Distribution Service Annual Inventory Closing The BPT/BDS will close for year-end inventory on April 15, 1991 and will reopen on May 6, 1991. Because all orders must be shipped before inventory begins, no orders can be processed after April 15, 1991. However, we will be here to answer your questions. Orders received before April 15th will be processed and shipped before inventory begins. We will accept mail-in orders after the 15th, but these will not be processed until May 6, 1991. Be sure to consider your needs during this period in advance and submit your order before April 15, 1991.

Like an Eagle in the Sky Produced by Don Todd & U.S. Bahá’í Media Services VT Price To Be Announced A thirteen-minute video adaptation of a slide presentation, it features scenes of Native American Bahá’ís at various Council Fires and portrays a strong sense of the mission of the Native American peoples as outlined by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The video is designed to empower and uplift Native peoples so they might arise to realize the bright future that awaits them in the redemption of humanity. In addition, the video is a tool that should be viewed by those non-Native peoples who have chosen to help, teach, and learn from Native peoples. United States Media Services

Jewel in the Lotus VT Price To Be Announced The Bahá’í Lotus Temple of Bahápur India is an architectural marvel of the twentieth century and the spiritual magnet of the Indian subcontinent. Since its dedication millions of souls from the world over have flocked to it. This remarkable video traces its history from the Indian Bahá’í community asking ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for permission to construct a House of Worship, to the dedication, in 1986, of this spiritual gift to humanity. The video highlights the special symbolism of the lotus to all the cultures and religions of southern Asia, and the unique unity that enabled hundreds of workers of a variety of cultures, religions, and languages to complete the project. Construction demands required a unity of action, sometimes with split-second timing, to complete a project that many called impossible within India. United States Media Services

Sixth Bahá’í International Convention VT $15.95 In 1988 the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’í world gathered in Haifa, Israel, to consult together and elect, in an atmosphere of prayer, meditation, and service, the members of the Universal House of Justice. This video features the spiritual nature of Bahá’í elections providing a stark contrast to partisan political elections. The cultural diversity of the Bahá’í international community is likewise apparent as delegates cast their ballots. A highlight of this convention was the presence, for the first time, of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cuba. Suitable for public presentation as a model of political unity in a multicultural community. United States Media Services

Teaching Peace Teacher’s Notes edited by Kathy Grammer SC $7.95 The songs of Teaching Peace were written to validate childhood and its own special powers. Kathy and Red Grammer have worked closely with schools and teachers with the original intention that Teaching Peace be used in social skills and social education curricula. They report that recently they have seen it used on a wide scale by schools implementing Whole Language Curriculums. The guide for teachers covers four areas dealing with each of the songs on the cassette tape. The first is “the basic theme of the song.” Next are “discussion ideas and questions,” followed by “possible subject areas for the song’s use,” and “Activity ideas.” 8-1/2 x 11 inches, 40 pages, introduction, 4 note pages Smilin’ Atcha Music

REMEMBER . . . BPT/BDS CLOSED FOR INVENTORY APRIL 16 TO MAY 6

Contact your local Bahá’í Distribution Representative, or send your order with payment to: 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 Order now through the Bahá’í Distribution Service • 1-800-999-9019 [Page 7]

WORKBOOKS FOR DAY-TO-DAY LEARNING ACTIVITIES

The Virtues Guide A Handbook for Parents Teaching Virtues WB $29.95

This volume is part of The Virtues Project, which supports parents as the first educators, those best able to impart spiritual values and virtues to their children. It involves simple principles for paying attention to the day to day spiritual development of a child. It is an approach to bringing out the best in every child. Each day of living with children brings fresh opportunities for guiding them at "teachable moments" that pass quickly and may never come again. The Virtues Guide is designed to help parents consciously and skillfully address their children's spiritual needs, so they won't miss the precious opportunities which happen every day.

8-1/2 x 11 inches, 275 pages, preface, introduction WellSpring International

Teaching Prominent People A Compilation of Extracts from the Bahá’í Writings SC $1.50

It is the hope of the Universal House of Justice that Bahá’ís everywhere will study these passages, in order to appreciate the importance of fostering cordial relations with accomplished and distinguished figures, with people of capacity, and with those occupying prominent positions in society. In issuing these extracts, the Universal House of Justice reminds us that we should be confident that the spiritually minded and receptive souls among such people will eventually accept the truth of the Bahá’í Revelation and join the ranks of its active supporters. The compilation includes the importance of guiding "distinguished souls to the Cause," and provides specific guidelines for reaching prominent people.

5-3/4 x 8-1/4 inches, 26 pages, introduction, bibliography, index Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

Pathways to .... Series Family Activity Books

The Pathways series is an Interfaith family activity book on values. It offers an enjoyable way for parents and children to mutually explore the values they wish to live by. It draws from the teachings of many Faiths and great thinkers. It is offered as support to parents who are looking for ways to capture and reinforce their children's interest in spiritual values.

Pathways is designed for families of any religious path, or of no formal belief, who are open to the wisdom to be found in religious teachings and are willing to apply them to contemporary global issues.

Pathways to Living in Harmony with the Earth Family Activity Book WB $5.95

Living in Harmony with the Earth explores our relationship and responsibilities to Nature through the ways in which we interact with our environment day-to-day. It contains family activities of interest to children ages 7-12. 8-1/2 x 11 inches, 29 pages, preface, references WellSpring International

Pathways to Peace Family Activity Book WB $5.95

Peace is about what each individual and family can do to increase peace day-to-day. It is a personal approach to creating peace on the planet, and contains family activities of interest to children ages 7-12. 8-1/2 x 11 inches, 32 pages, preface, references WellSpring International

The Seven Candles of Unity The Story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Edinburgh by Anjam Khursheed HC $49.95/SC $29.95

Offering an uplifting vision of the way to universal and lasting peace, Seven Candles highlights ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's visit to Edinburgh, Scotland, where His message of peace and hope was enthusiastically welcomed by leading citizens, where He spoke to large and receptive audiences and was acclaimed in the press. At the heart of this book is the Seven Candles of Unity, one of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's most important tablets, tracing the inevitable steps to a united and peaceful world. This is a very useful introductory book, offering a clear, thoughtful, and well-rounded presentation of the Bahá’í Faith through the life and teachings of its perfect Exemplar. It is particularly suitable for presentation to dignitaries, church people, libraries and anyone who longs for peace between nations and the unity of the human race. The Promise of World Peace and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's The Tablet to the Hague are included in their entirety as appendices. 7-3/4 x 10-1/8 inches, 280 pages, 147 photographs, 21 line drawings, 3 maps

Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom

Bahá’í Prayers HC/SC

The Publishing Trust regrets that, due to an unacceptable level of quality, reprints of both editions of Bahá’í Prayers have been delayed. The production of these editions from the printer is inferior in quality and appearance. Rather than release an inferior product to the Bahá’í community, we have decided to reject the books and require a level of quality that preserves the dignity of the sacred writings and presents a product that է justifies the price. We deeply regret any inconvenience that results from being out-of-stock on these editions and ask for your understanding and patience. Please be assured that we will do everything in our power to resolve this as quickly as possible, and will advise the community when details are available.

RECENT NEW MATERIALS

Bibliography of English Language Works on the Bábí and Bahá’í Faiths 1844-1985 HC $55.00 compiled by William P. Collins

A comprehensive guide for all students of the works by, and about, the Central Figures and Institutions of these two Revelations from God. Compiled by the former Head Librarian of the Bahá’í World Center, it includes works in a variety of publications, works with single references to the Faith, articles published in non-Bahá’í periodicals, works of Covenant-Breakers, an exhaustive list of standard abbreviations for major English-language Bahá’í works, and a directory of Bahá’í publishers. The work concludes with indexes of names, titles, and subjects. Its primary audiences are scholars of religion and Public and University libraries. This is also a book that every Local Spiritual Assembly and Bahá’í Agency should have in their reference library.

The Bahá’í Distribution Service has purchased a small quantity of this title at a reduced, pre-publication price of $55.00 from the publisher. This is a limited, one-time offer. There are only 250 copies of this title currently in stock. When these have been sold, the price will rise to the normal list price of $65.00. 7-1/2 x 10 inches, 522 pages, foreward, introduction George Ronald, Publisher

The Light World by Heather I. Niderost SC $7.50

The style of this book is geared to the young mind. It is a happy, uplifting approach to the subject of death, particularly the death of a child. Its purpose is to shed light on the next world of existence, to remove the dark morbid fear of death from our minds, especially from the minds of our children. It is written from the imagined perspective of the author's son, Eric, who died at age ten. He addresses his relationship with this world, why we exist, God's purpose of revelation, the Soul, the Mind, the various worlds of God, and the power of prayer as the connecting link between the worlds of God. 6-1/2 x 9-1/4 inches, 32 pages, bibliography Bahá’í Canada Publications

To the Peoples of the World by the Universal House of Justice PA 100pkg.$25.00 1,000pkg.$175.00 500pkg.$100.00

Printed in Canada, this edition of The Promise of World Peace has been made available here in the United States as an edition for mass distribution. It has been packaged in quantities of 100, 500, and 1,000 to reduce the price per copy as larger quantities are ordered. This edition will not be available in smaller quantities nor will our normal discounts apply. A generic response card has been created that can be purchased separately and enclosed with this statement to identify people interested in your local Bahá’í community. See the accompanying ad in this issue for the Mail Response Card. 5-1/2 x 8-3/8 inches, 14 pages, introduction Bahá’í Peace Council of Canada

Mail Response Card CR 100pkg.$2.00 500pkg.$8.75 1,000pkg.$15.00

Card is styled after the business rely card often found in magazines. Provides space for individuals to indicate their thoughts of the peace statement, topical areas of particular interest, and various options for personal involvement. 3-7/8 x 5 inches Bahá’í Peace Council of Canada [Page 8]

HELP WANTED

Experienced, intelligent person, energetic, good language skills, computer experience helpful but not necessori Apply in person

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial messages can be accepted for publication. The opportunities referred to have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise their own judgment and care in responding to them.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE DEPARTMENT of Human Resources at the Bahá’í National Center is accepting applications for the following positions. Administrative Services: secretary (float in three departments). Bahá’í Publishing Trust: associate editor, administrative assistant to the general editor; editorial assistant; marketing assistant. Department of Human Resources: administrative assistant. House of Worship: office coordinator. Management Information Services: director. Media Services: librarian/archivist; operations manager; secretary/receptionist. NSA Properties Inc.: general manager. Office of the Treasurer: administrative assistant; assistant controller. Periodicals Office: writer/reporter for The American Bahá’í. U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office: refugee program, administrative assistant. U.S./UN Office: administrative assistant. World Congress Office: registration processing specialist; travel desk coordinator. For more information, applications or position descriptions, please phone Diana Harris or Geneva Sutton, 708-869-9039, or send a résumé to the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

WORLD CONGRESS: A call for professionals. The Bahá’í World Congress organizers are looking for Bahá’í professionals who can volunteer their services before and during the World Congress in November 1992. Are you a media, TV/radio professional such as a photojournalist, photo processor, film script writer, actor/actress, announcer, video director or producer, video camera operator, audio technician, video editor, newswriter or media/public relations coordinator? Do you have professional experience in meeting planning, hotel management or hotel sales and catering? Volunteering your services is a wonderful way to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Covenant. If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering, please submit your résumé to the World Congress Logistics Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

THE GREEN ACRE Bahá’í School is accepting applications for summer employment. Positions available include children's teachers, kitchen and housekeeping help, maintenance, office help, and program assistant. Applicants should be available from mid-June through the end of August. Room and board are provided with a small stipend. Please send a brief résumé to the Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903, or phone 207-439-7200 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) for more information.

CHILDREN'S program teaching staff sought at the Louhelen Bahá’í School: child education coordinators, master teachers, teachers' assistants for weekend conferences through the summer months. For details or to apply, contact the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313-653-5033.

WANTED: qualified teacher for grades 1-3 at the new non-profit "Escuela de las Naciones" in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Position open in August 1991. The school is owned and operated by Bahá’ís. Must have elementary certification from Puerto Rico's Department of Education, must speak and write fluent Spanish, and must have some teaching experience. Preference will be given to teachers with Montessori training. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School is accepting applications for summer positions. These include children's education director, adult program director, registrar, recreation director, dishwasher/food service assistant (two positions), housekeeper, assistant librarian/book sales, and groundskeeper. Room and board and a stipend are provided. Applicants should be able to serve from the middle or end of June through August 22. Please send a brief résumé listing applicable experience and position desired to: Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or phone 313-653-5033.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

URGENT: There is an immediate need for a manager for a Honda motorcycle, bicycle and small engine repair and maintenance business in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Republic of Ireland is seeking someone experienced in public relations to help the Irish Bahá’í community in its public relations work and to train one or more individuals to continue the work. The Bahá’í community of Puerto Rico is seeking pioneers deepened in Bahá’í administration to settle in Ponce. Would prefer self-supporting individuals or couples. For more information about any of these opportunities, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 or phone 708-869-9039.

AFRICA: Swaziland: caretaker couple for the National Bahá’í Center. AMERICAS: Bahamas: Couple or male caretaker for the National Center. Chile: library/book Fellow. Honduras: elementary school teachers (2). ASIA: Thailand: Montessori-trained teacher. AUSTRALASIA: Johnston Atoll: chief medical officer, physicians, production director, television production technician. Samoa: caretaker for the Mother Temple of the Pacific. Yap: lawyer to assist in office of Attorney General. EUROPE: Poland: library/book Fellow. Romania: library/book Fellow. Soviet Union: library/book Fellow (3 months). Yugoslavia: library/book Fellow. For more information about any of these positions, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

WANTED: Homefront pioneers for the Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations. Gain pioneering experiences and bounties while still living in the U.S. Positions are available Reservation-wide for teachers, nurses, physicians' assistants, doctors, lab technicians, pharmacists and others. For details, write to Navajo/Hopi DTC, Box 1337, Chinle, AZ 86503, or phone 602-674-5904.

STILL UNDECIDED about which college to attend? Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania) College, a private liberal arts school of about 1,450 students, is located in western Lancaster County, 30 minutes from Lancaster or Harrisburg, two hours from Philadelphia or Baltimore, three hours from Washington, D.C., and four hours from New York City. Statewide and nationally, the college is placed among the top 15 schools of its size, and looks forward to diversifying its student body racially and culturally. One Bahá’í is on the staff, and the Spiritual Assembly of Elizabethtown would like to establish a Bahá’í club on campus. For more information, contact the Spiritual Assembly of Elizabethtown, P.O. Box 50, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.

DIVERSITY: Northern New Mexico has it all. Diversity in culture: Hispanic, American Indian, black, white and Asian. Diversity in climate: from 10,000-foot mountains to warm flatlands. Diversity of populated areas: from small towns to modern urban centers. Diversity of employment: from opportunities in healthcare to education to laundromats. Northern New Mexico needs Bahá’ís in all these areas to support existing local Assemblies and Groups and to help form new Assemblies and save those in jeopardy. For more information, contact Sharon Ewing, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama, needs homefront pioneers to help consolidate four Bahá’í communities. In addition, the University of Alabama's Bahá’í Club needs Bahá’í students to maintain and expand its activities. If you can consider becoming a part of our southern Bahá’í community, please write to Dr. Vergil L. Williams, P.O. Box 2494, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403.

MOVING? Put your shoulder to the wheel in one of many localities in Northern California which need Bahá’ís to retain, regain or attain Assembly status. Area has small to large colleges, ethnic diversity, mountain solitude or western "foothill" towns, agriculture, or close-to-capital city excitement. For information, please write to the District Teaching Committee of Northern California No. 1, c/o Grace Shahrokh, secretary, Fair Oaks, CA 95628, or phone 916-966-7490.

HELP establish an Assembly in beautiful western Colorado. Rifle, a community of 5,500 on I-70 about 70 miles northwest of Aspen, has seven loving Bahá’ís who await your arrival. The hospital has immediate openings for two physicians and one physical therapist. The economic climate is right for new business. For more information, write to Cyndie Hogan, CO 81650, or phone 303-625-3932.

WANT a challenge? Bethany is a small town within a city-Oklahoma City. It has a hometown atmosphere with big-city conveniences, and offers a unique teaching opportunity. Bethany was established 90 years ago with the founding of Southern Nazarene University, and is the home of the international headquarters of the Pentecostal Holiness Church and the SW College of Ministries. Homefront pioneers are needed to help save an incorporated Assembly established in 1973. For more information, please write to P.O. Box 1060, Bethany, OK 73008, or phone Firouz Mollaian, 405-787-0677, or Jane Resnick, 405-495-1081.

SCHOOLS

THE BOSCH Bahá’í School invites presenters to submit proposals for its June weekend seminar on health and healing, "Health and Harmony in a New World Order." Presentations should focus on techniques from diverse cultures that are not commonly known to the general public. Send written or recorded proposals to: Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, Attn: Lloyd Sieden.

CATALOG of summer conferences at the Louhelen Bahá’í School is available from the Registrar, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

"REFLECTIONS" catalog listing "Mankind Is One" sweatshirts, T-shirts, tapes, books and other Bahá’í-related materials is available at no cost from the Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 313-653-5033).

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Lenore Powell Herrick, Millie B. Herrick (died Binghamton, NY), Ray C. Herrick (died Portland, OR, 1969), Sam Heyward, Mildred Hiatt, B. Alfred Hills, Helen Hindson (died Peoria, IL, 1973), and Albert Frank Hoffmann (died Cincinnati, 1950). Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking District Convention voting lists for the years 1952-67 for Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana and Maine. Anyone having voting lists they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091..

WANTED

AN EXCITING feature of the Bahá’í World Congress in New York City in November 1992 will be a specially-created World Congress Choir, consisting of singers from all parts of the world. Bahá’ís who plan to attend the World Congress are invited to audition for the choir. Singers from any part of the world can try out by mail provided they are able to record their voices on cassette tape. Information about how to do this is available from the World Congress Program Committee. In addition to the main choir, singers are needed for special choirs in various parts of the world including Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, Iran, India, Europe and the Far East. The World Congress is not able to pay for transportation or housing of singers. Bahá’ís who feel they may be capable of taking part in this project are warmly encouraged to send for an application form and audition procedures. Write to: Bahá’í World Congress Choir Audition, P.O. Box 789, Wilmette, IL 60091 U.S.A.

WANTED: Youth who like to write letters and make new friends! The Office of Pioneering has several letters from African youth who would like to correspond with U.S. Bahá’í youth. If you are interested, write to the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039.

THE UNIVERSAL House of Justice has given the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly the task of publishing Bahá’í sacred writings and other Bahá’í literature in the Ukrainian and Kazakh languages. Individuals with skills in these languages are needed to serve as translators. If you are interested in helping with this important work, or if you know of someone who might be, please contact Melanie Smith, Ukrainian and Kazakh Desk, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, East Lansing, MI 48823 (phone 517-337-2858).

WANTED: Bahá’ís who are interested in forming a Bahá’í professional teachers' association to foster an exchange of ideas and information, share materials, provide support, and form links between professional teachers and the Faith. For more information, contact John Harkness, Galveston, TX 77551, or phone 409-744-7498.

DISTRIBUTORS: Individuals, groups or Assemblies are sought to serve as distributors of the "Mankind Is One" sweatshirts and T-shirts. Distributors will receive consignment discounts. Write to "Reflections," Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

WOULD LIKE to buy a copy of "The Bahá’í Faith 1844-1952: Information, Statistical and Comparative" including the supplement, "Ten Year International Bahá’í Teaching and Consolidation Plan 1953-1963," compiled by Shoghi Effendi and published in 1953 by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly. Please write to A. Graves, P.O. Box 155, Haifa, Israel 31 001.

FOR SALE

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Edmond, Oklahoma, has received three wool and silk carpets of exceptional beauty and value. Proceeds from the sale of two of these carpets are for the Arc, and the third is for the local fund. All carpets are 62 to 70 inches long and 42 to 45 inches wide; pattern colors are predominantly a rich blue or maroon, or both, on a beige background. Prices are $1,200, $1,950 and $2,100. Anyone who is interested in purchasing one or more of these carpets may write to the Spiritual Assembly of Edmond, P.O. Box 1178, Edmond, OK 73083, or phone 405-348-9992 or 405-341-0233.

FOR SALE for the Arc: billboard poster (11 by 25 feet) with white dove of peace on cranberry-colored paper and the message "Spread the Promise of Peace... One Heart at a Time: Bahá’í Faith." This silent auction is a fundraiser for the Arc; the poster goes to the highest bidder. Your check is your bid and payment in full. All bid-checks received become part of the fund-raiser. Send bid-checks to the Spiritual Assembly of Broken Arrow, P.O. Box 1119, Broken Arrow, OK 74013. For more information, phone Sharon Klemke, 918-455-0105. [Page 9]

Overview Of A Study Guide To Epistle To The Son Of The Wolf

Introduction: Any study of Bahá’u’lláh’s writings requires the use of several approaches. In this study you will read Epistle to the Son of the Wolf from beginning to end; look for major themes; investigate the meaning of many references Bahá’u’lláh makes to the Qur’án and to people, places, and events in His life; and explore the importance of what Bahá’u’lláh has to say in this, the last major tablet of His revelation.

The goals of this study guide are to:

• Increase your knowledge of the historical context of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation
• Give you greater insight into Bahá’u’lláh’s identity, His purpose, and the proofs that validate His claims
• Promote a deeper understanding of His teachings
• Improve your ability to teach His Cause
• Stimulate action based on the knowledge gained through this study

The study guide will assist both individuals and communities to study Epistle to the Son of the Wolf systematically and to consider deeply Bahá’u’lláh’s station, His purpose, and His design for the transformation of individuals and society.

The guide is comprised of six sessions, each of which covers approximately thirty pages of Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. Sessions 1 and 2 appeared in the February issue of The American Bahá’í; Sessions 3 and 4 appeared in the March issue.

Each session has two parts: "Individual Work" and "Group Work." The purpose of the "Individual Work" sections is to help you to identify major themes and ideas, to understand the meaning of certain references, and to prepare you for exploring the broader issues addressed in "Group Work." The purpose of the "Group Work" sections is to build unity of understanding within a group and to discuss the broad implications of Bahá’u’lláh’s message for individuals and for society. If you do not have access to a study group, you should complete the "Group Work" sections on your own. Both the "Individual Work" and "Group Work" sections follow a four-part study process that includes (1) preparing, (2) reading, (3) reflecting, and (4) acting upon new understandings.

A deep study of Bahá’u’lláh’s writings takes time and effort. Bahá’u’lláh promises, however, that the benefits to be gained from such study stand in direct proportion to the eagerness and effort of the student. Because the "Group Work" sections build on the knowledge and insight gained from completing the "Individual Work" sections, the entire study will be most effective when you do the "Individual Work" before tackling the "Group Work."

PREPARING FOR STUDY

Materials: Epistle to the Son of the Wolf; Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: Mazra’ih & Bahjí, 1877-92 (Vol. 4); a dictionary; a copy of this study guide; 5x7-inch notecards or a spiral notebook.

Spiritual Preparation: Read the following passage from Epistle (142) in which Bahá’u’lláh sets forth for the Shaykh the spiritual conditions needed for reciting the words of the Báb, and take a few moments to meditate on it. (By implication, the conditions listed in the passage apply to Bahá’u’lláh’s words as well.)

"With a detached heart, and a dilated breast, and an utterly truthful tongue, recite thou these sublime words...."

Overview of Pages 121:24-151:16: The section of Epistle to the Son of the Wolf covered in Session 5 opens with Bahá’u’lláh’s lamenting that "On every side the flame of oppression and tyranny can be discerned" (122). In Tehran believers have been arrested (122). In Constantinople and other lands they have been accused of "theft and larceny" and made the target of false and slanderous statements (123). Bahá’u’lláh compares and contrasts the behavior and intentions of the Bahá’ís (the "loved ones" [122]) and of those who are trying to exterminate them (122-24). Despite the difficulties surrounding Him and the believers, He reaffirms that whatever occurs in the path of God is nothing but "manifest glory and a supreme attainment" (125), for suffering is the means by which God’s true lovers are recognized and their station revealed (125).

Bahá’u’lláh poses a problem for the Shaykh to ponder: "...why is it that the Shí’ih sect, which regarded itself as the most learned, the most righteous, and the most pious of all the peoples of the world, hath turned aside in the Day of His Revelation, and hath shown a cruelty such as hath never been experienced" (126), despite the fact that the divines have been summoned repeatedly to "obtain their portion of the ocean of the utterance of Him Who is the Desire of the world" (127). Bahá’u’lláh reminds the Shaykh that in most of His tablets He has exhorted the divines to recognize His station (128). He has also warned them not to weigh "the Book of God with such standards and sciences as are current amongst" them (128) and has taken them to task for allowing their learning to prevent them from recognizing "Him Who is the Object of all knowledge" (129). He offers further proofs of the validity of His station: He has not entered any school nor read any scholarly dissertations, yet none can equal Him in "vision or insight" (129). Through Him "every hidden thing hath been revealed" (129).

In answer to protests voiced against Him, and in order to offer people another opportunity to accept Him, Bahá’u’lláh has revealed "perspicuous verses" (131; see Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas 117-19 for full text of the tablet)—verses of clarity and penetrating vision. In these verses, which are filled with rich allusions to earlier scriptures, He names some of the veils that have precluded people from recognizing and "turning towards the Horizon of Certitude" (131): vague fancies, vain imaginings, capriciousness, and lack of understanding (131). The verses appear in the form of a dialogue between voices of protest, which question the fulfillment of signs that signal the Day of God, and the Voice of God, which answers that the signs have, indeed, been fulfilled (131-34).

Departing very briefly from directly addressing the Shaykh, Bahá’u’lláh turns His attention to the "loved ones" (135)—the Bahá’ís. He admonishes them to "fear God" and to adorn themselves with "trustworthiness and piety" and "goodly deeds and a praiseworthy character" (135), and He forbids "dissension and conflict" (135). He explains the station and value of trustworthiness as "the most great ornament of the people of Bahá" and "the supreme instrument for the prosperity of the world" (137).

Bahá’u’lláh resumes addressing the Shaykh and takes up the subject of what will exalt Persia’s station (137-39), a theme to which He returns later (148-49). But the major thrust of Bahá’u’lláh’s address in this section is His invitation to the Shaykh to "Seek... the shore of the Most Great Ocean" (139), to "enter the ocean of the unity of God" (140), and to "Give ear unto that which the Tongue of Might and Power hath spoken in the Books of God" (140). To acquaint the Shaykh with things of which he was "wholly unaware" (140), Bahá’u’lláh relates numerous passages from the Báb (141-43), the Gospel (143), Muhammad (143), and Old Testament prophets (143, 144-46, 147), all of which prophesy or allude to Bahá’u’lláh’s coming. He then reminds the Shaykh of Jesus’ saying that "He Who is the Promised One will reveal the things which are to come" (148) and quotes from His own writings to validate that claim (148-50). Bahá’u’lláh assures the "concourse of the fair-minded" that "All that hath been sent down hath and will come to pass, word for word, upon earth. No possibility is left for anyone either to turn aside or protest" (150). Returning to the ocean imagery He used at the beginning of the section, He asks God that He "Debar not" His "servants from turning their faces towards the light of certitude" nor deprive them of the "ocean" of His "signs" (151) and that He take the "hands of such as have drowned in the sea of idle fancies, and deliver them" by His "power" and "sovereignty" (151).

READING

Reading for Meaning:

1. Read and reflect, asking yourself, "What is Bahá’u’lláh saying?" Reread if necessary. 2. Read for patterns. Try to recall other places where Bahá’u’lláh addresses the topics found in pages 121-51. What else does He say about them? 3. The following explanations of terms are provided to aid your understanding of the text. Many were prepared with help from Robert McLaughlin’s These Perspicuous Verses (George Ronald, 1982).

page 121:25 "Rawdih-khání" Traditional ritualistic lamentation for the martyred Imám Husayn. After the advent of the Báb, Bábís believed that the time of mourning had come to an end. Thus Táhirih, the outstanding heroine of the Bábí Dispensation, refused to wear the traditional mourning garb on the anniversary of Husayn's martyrdom, openly defying the people of Karbilá.

page 121:28 "Qá’im" "He Who Shall Arise," the Promised One of Islam. Refers to the Báb.

page 122:11-12 "Our loved ones have been arrested in the land of Tá (Tihrán)" A reference to the imprisonment in 1891 of the Hands of the Cause of God Hájí Mullá ‘Alí-Akbar and Hájí Amín in Qazvin. This reference also suggests when Epistle was revealed. [Page 10]123:2 "obliterate" To destroy every trace, indication, or significance of.

123:10-12 "Consider now what hath befallen the trusted ones of God in every land.... accused of theft and larceny" A reference to the activities of the enemies of the Faith in Constantinople, where several Bahá’ís had a successful trading company. Certain Azalis who were jealous of the Bahá’ís’ reputation as honest and trustworthy merchants began a campaign to defame and discredit them. False accusations against particular members of the trading company were brought before the Persian embassy, and lies about cheating and theft of monies were published in a newspaper. (For a fuller account of the episode, see Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: Mazra’ih & Bahjí 4:391-402.)

123:13 "calumniated" Slandered; maligned.

128:13-16 "O people of Shin (Shiráz)! Have ye forgotten My loving-kindness...?" A reference to the Báb’s revelation in Shiraz.

130:11-12 "The heedless ones have hamstrung Thy white She-Camel" An allusion to a story in the Qur’án. Sálih, a Prophet of God Who appeared before Abraham, called the people of Thamúd to worship the one true God rather than idols. When people refused to respond to Sálih’s call, God produced a white she-camel as a sign of Sálih’s station. Sálih asked the people to care for the she-camel and to drink her milk. Instead, they hamstrung (crippled by cutting the leg tendons) and killed her. When the sign from God had no effect on the people of Thamúd, an earthquake destroyed all except Salih and his followers.

130:13 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has explained that the she-camel symbolizes the holy spirit of Salih. The ham-stringing of the she-camel represents the suffering inflicted upon Sálih by the people of Thamúd. For a fuller account, see Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: Mazra’ih & Bahjí 4:425-28.

131:3-4 "Crimson Ark" The Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

131:16 "Wings that are besmirched with mire can never soar" For an elaboration of this metaphor, see Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh 326-27. Do

131:26 "perspicuous" Clear; evident.

131:29 "caprices" Sudden, impulsive changes of mind.

131:29 "Hath the hour come?" An allusion to Christ’s and Muhammad’s references to Their return. Regarding the time of His return, Christ said (Matthew 24:36): "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Muhammad (Qur’án 7:186) made a similar statement about the time of His return: "They will ask thee concerning the last hour; at what time its coming is fixed? Answer, Verily the knowledge thereof is with my Lord, none shall declare the fixed time thereof, except He." "Lost are they who deny the meeting with God until 'the Hour' cometh suddenly upon them! Then will they say, 'Oh, our sighs for past negligence of this Hour!" (Qur’án 6:31, Rodwell translation).

131:29 ""Hath the Hour come?" "Nay, more; it hath passed""" The "Hour" has come and gone. Bahá’u’lláh warns in Gleanings (43), "As for them who have disbelieved in Him, they shall be in the shadow of a black smoke. 'The Hour' hath come upon them, while they are disporting themselves. They have been seized by their forelock, and yet know it not." In Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh (237) Bahá’u’lláh speaks of the greatness of the "Hour": "Such is the greatness of this Day that the Hour itself is seized with perturbation, and all heavenly Scriptures bear evidence to its overpowering majesty." In Prayers and Meditations (146) He says, "This is the hour, O my Lord, which Thou hast caused to excel every other hour, and hast telated it to the choicest among Thy creatures."

132:1-2 ""Verily, the Inevitable is come""" The "Inevitable" appears to refer to both the person of Bahá’u’lláh and an event that occurred at the Conference of Badasht. In a passage in Gleanings (43) that discusses the consequences of rejecting His revelation, Bahá’u’lláh says, "The thing that must come hath come suddenly; behold how they [the unbelievers] flee from it! The inevitable hath come to pass; witness how they have cast it behind their backs!" ‘Abdu’l-Bahá records (Memorials of the Faithful 201) that, when Táhirih appeared without her veil at the Conference of Badasht, Bahá’u’lláh directed that the Súrih of the Inevitable be recited (Qur’án 56:1-6). It begins with a symbolic description of a new era and a new Manifestation of God: "When the inevitable day of judgment shall suddenly come, no soul shall charge the prediction of its coming with falsehood: it will abase some, and exalt others. When the earth shall be shaken with a violent shock; and the mountains shall be dashed in pieces, and shall become as dust scattered abroad...."

132:2-3 "He, the True One, hath appeared with proof and testimony" Bahá’u’lláh states (Gleanings 105) that "The first and foremost testimony establishing His truth is His own Self. Next to this testimony is His Revelation. For whoso faileth to recognize either the one or the other He hath established the words He hath revealed as proof of His reality and truth."

132:4-5 "Earthquakes have broken loose" In both the Bible and the Qur’án, natural phenomena often foretell or accompany events surrounding the Manifestations of God (see Joel 2:1, Matthew 24:30, and Qur’án 22:1, 27:90, 56:1-4, 73:14, 99:1). Several references prophesy that earthquakes will accompany the "Day of the Lord" or the "Last Hour." Such events may be interpreted literally or symbolically. In Some Answered Questions (55), ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains that the earthquake referred to in Revelation 11:13 occurred in Shiraz after the Báb’s martyrdom. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá also gives a symbolic explanation of the term "earthquake": "the earthquake of doubts will take place" (61). Such an explanation fits with Bahá’u’lláh’s statement in The Kitáb-i-lqán (48) that "by the term 'earth' is meant the earth of understanding and knowledge."

132:7-8 "The stunning trumpet-blast hath been loudly raised, and the Day is God's""" In both the Bible and the Qur’án the trumpet is associated with the call of revelation (see Exodus 19:14-19; Isaiah 18:3; Matthew 24:30-31; Revelation 1:10-11, 4:1-2, 8, 9, 11; and Qur’án 36:51, 39:68-70, 50:19, 74:8-9, 78:17, 79:6-7). In one sense, the trumpet blast in this passage symbolizes the call of revelation, for its purpose is to "awaken the heart" and quicken the soul (Kitáb-i-İqán 196, 119). It causes the spiritually dead "to speed out of their sepulchres of heedlessness and error unto the realm of guidance and grace" (Kitáb-i-fqán 26). However, it also spreads "confusion... and fear and trembling" (Epistle 147). Thus the "trumpet-blast" here refers to the call of Bahá’u’lláh: "Verily We have sounded the Trumpet which is none other than My Pen of Glory" (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh 61).

132:10-11 "Is the Resurrection come?""" The meaning of the "Resurrection" is a major theme of The Kitáb-i-fgán. Bahá’u’lláh says (Kitáb-i-ĺgán 143), "the Day of Resurrection... is the Day of the rise of God Himself through His all embracing Revelation" and that "This is the meaning of the 'Day of Resurrection,' spoken of in all the scriptures, and announced unto all people." Thus "Resurrection" refers to "the rise of the Manifestation of God to proclaim His Cause" (Kitáb-i-lqán 170).

132:15-16 "the mountains have been scattered in dust"" An allusion to several passages in the Qur’án that mention the firmness and, later, the scattering of mountains (see 13:3, 73:14, 20:105, 101:3-4). Bahá’u’lláh (Epistle 134) says that the "mountain of knowledge was crushed"; thus "mountains" seems to refer to human knowledge.

132:17 "Where is Paradise?""" The Báb (Selections from the Writings of the Báb 82-83, 102) describes paradise as the recognisution of the Manifestation of God (Bahá’u’lláh) and submission to His will. Bahá’u’lláh describes it as reunion with God and the attainment of His pleasure (The Hidden Words Arabic no. 6; Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh 118, 189). Paradise is realized through love of Bahá’u’lláh and His good-pleasure and is experienced in both this world and the next (see Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh 189; Some Answered Questions 223).

132:20-21 "*"We see not the Balance""" The Qur’án (21:48) refers to "Just balances" that will be "set up for the Day of Resurrection." Bahá’u’lláh refers to the Balance in several different ways. In A Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book of Bahá’u’lláh (22) He refers to it as "the Book" in which "whatsoever the peoples and kindreds of the earth possess must be weighed." In Gleanings (281) He refers to it as the "testimony of the Prophets and Messengers of God.... the sign of God that hath been sent down through the power of truth, through which the validity of His Cause hath been demonstrated unto His creatures." In Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh (255) He refers to the "Balance of divine justice."

132:23 "Have the stars fallen?""" The falling of stars was to be a sign of Christ’s return (see Matthew 24:29). A literal fulfillment of this prophecy occurred in November 1866 during Bahá’u’lláh’s stay in Adrianople, when a large and dramatic meteoric shower occurred. The real significance of this prophecy is explained in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, in which we learn that [Page 11]132:25 references to the falling of stars symbolize the fall of religious leaders who are losing their influence over humanity because they have refused to recognize the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. (For further details, see Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: Adrianople 2:270-72.)

"Adrianople" For an explanation of the connection between "Land of Mystery" and "Adrianople," see Epistle xvi.

132:26-27 "All the signs appeared" See Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 15-17 for a list of some of the signs of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation.

132:28-29 "Verily, the Crier hath cried out, when the promised time came" In times past, before there was widespread literacy, widely circulated newspapers, or television, the town crier walked through the streets, calling out announcements. In religious texts the term has been used as a metaphor for the Manifestation of God. The Qur’an (50:40) warns people to "hearken unto the day whereon the crier shall call men to judgment from a near place: the day whereon they shall hear the voice of the trumpet." Bahá’u’lláh writes (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh 12), "Say, did ye not hearken to the Voice of the Crier, calling aloud in the wilderness of the Bayán, bearing unto you the glad-tidings of the coming of your Lord, the All-Merciful?"

133:7-8 "Darkness hath been chased away by the dawning-light of the mercy of thy Lord" The Qur’an (14:1) speaks of bringing "men out of darkness into light, into the path of the Mighty, the Glorious." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains (Some Answered Questions 84) that light is a symbol of knowledge and that darkness is a symbol of ignorance.

133:13-14 "When were the heavens cleft asunder?" Several Qur’anic passages speak of Here the cleaving of the heavens (see 25:27, 69:16, 84:1, 77:9, 55:37). According to Bahá’u’lláh (Kitáb-i-lqán 44), this event wis "one of the signs that must needs herald the coming of the last Hour, the Day of Resurrection."

Bahá’u’lláh interprets the meaning of the Qur’anic verse (82:1) "When the heaven shall be cloven asunder" in this way: "By 'heaven' is meant the heaven of divine Revelation, which is elevated with every Manifestation, and rent asunder with every subsequent one. By 'cloven asunder' is meant that the former Dispensation is superseded and annulled" (Kitáb-i-fqán 44). He further states (Gleanings 45), "The heaven of every religion hath been rent, and the earth of human understanding been cleft asunder...."

133:18-19 "Have men been gathered together?" According to the Qur’an (6:12), the gathering together of all men will occur on the Day of Resurrection, when "mankind shall stand before the Lord of all creatures" (Qur’an 83:6). Bahá’u’lláh declares (Epistle 46) that He has come to "gather all men around this Table which hath been sent down from heaven."

In one sense, the gathering together refers to a time of judgment—a Day in which those who have turned away from Bahá’u’lláh will be called to account for their decision (Gleanings 143). In another sense, the gathering together is an effect of the Cause of God. "How vast is the tabernacle of the Cause of God! It hath overshadowed all the peoples and kindreds of the earth, and will, erelong, gather together the whole of mankind beneath its shelter" (Gleanings 92).

133:26-27 "Yea, by Him that rideth upon the 134:2-3 clouds!" Bahá’u’lláh clarifies the meaning of this verse in The Kitáb-i-Íqán (66-67): "And now, with reference to His words: 'And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.' These words signify that in those days men will lament the loss of the Sun of the divine beauty, of the Moon of knowledge, and of the Stars of divine wisdom. Thereupon, they will behold the countenance of the promised One, the adored Beauty, descending from heaven and riding upon the clouds. By this is meant that the divine Beauty will be made manifest from the heaven of the will of God, and will appear in the form of the human temple."

He further explains (Kitáb-i-ĺgán 71-72) that "By the term 'clouds' is meant those things that are contrary to the ways and desires of men.... These 'clouds' signify, in one sense, the annulment of laws, the abrogation of former Dispensations, the repeal of rituals and customs current amongst men, the exalting of the illiterate faithful above the learned opposers of the Faith. In another sense, they mean the appearance of that immortal Beauty in the image of mortal man, with such human limitations as eating and drinking, poverty and riches, glory and abasement, sleeping and waking, and such other things as cast doubt in the minds of men, and cause them to turn away. All such veils are symbolically referred to as 'clouds.'"

135:15 "Him Who is the Lord of the Day of the Covenant" Bahá’u’lláh claims this title for Himself. Praising God for this Day, He exults, in Prayers and Meditations (275), "This is the Day, O my Lord, which Thou didst announce unto all mankind as the Day whereon Thou wouldst reveal Thy Self.... Thou hast, moreover, entered into a covenant with them, in Thy Books, and Thy Scriptures, and Thy Scrolls, and Thy Tablets, concerning Him Who is the Day-Spring of Thy Revelation, and hast appointed the Bayán to be the Herald of this Most Great and all-glorious Manifestation, and this most resplendent and most sublime Appearance."

"Qayyum-i-Asmá" The Báb's first written work, an explanation of the Súrih of Joseph. Its first chapter was revealed to Mullá Husayn on the evening of 22 May 1844. Bahá’u’lláh describes the Súrih of Joseph (Kitáb-i-lqán 231) as "the first, the greatest and mightiest of all books."

138:27-28 "a new language and a new script have been devised" According to Marzieh Gail's introduction to Epistle (xvi), Bahá’u’lláh never communicated these to anyone. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá indicates (Lights of Guidance: A Bahá’í Reference File [1988] 340) that Esperanto may not be the universal language alluded to. He says Esperanto "will be spread and universalized to a certain degree, but later on a language more complete than this, or the same language will undergo some changes and alterations and will be adopted and become universal...."

140:1 "Kaaba of God" A reference to the cube-like building in the center of the Mosque at Mecca, which Muslim pilgrims circumambulate. As the holiest shrine of Islam, it is the point to which Muslims turn in prayer and is the goal of Islamic pilgrimage.

140:18 "Lote-Tree" Refers to the Manifestation of God. A tree planted by Arabs in ancient times to signal the end of a road. There is no passing beyond the tree.

140:18-19 "Hearken, now, unto the notes of the Birds of Wisdom" Bahá’u’lláh is asking the Shaykh to listen to what various Manifestations of God have said. In succeeding paragraphs He quotes from a number of "the Books of God" regarding His own station.

141:1 "My Forerunner" The Báb, Prophet-Herald of the Bahá’í Faith.

141:2 "This Great Announcement" Bahá’u’lláh is referring to Himself and His revelation.

141:5 "allusion" An indirect reference or implication.

141:7 "Bayán" The chief doctrinal work written by the Báb.

141:9-11 "Exalted and glorified is He above the power of any one to reveal Him except Himself, or the description of any of His creatures" Bahá’u’lláh (quoted in Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice 77) indicates that "None among the Manifestations of old, except to a prescribed degree, hath ever completely apprehended the nature of this Revelation."

141:24 "In the year nine" The Bahá’í calendar begins with Naw-Rúz 1844, the year in which the Báb declared His mission. Hence the year nine is 1853, the year in which Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation was born.

142:10 "Primal Point" The Báb.

143:13 "But of that Day and Hour" Matthew 24:36.

143:18-19 "For the Day of the Lord is great and very terrible" Joel 2:11.

143:26 "The Great Announcement" See Qur’an 78:1-2; 38:68.

144:14 "Oh, for great is that Day" Jeremiah 30:7.

144:21-22 "Who will bring me into the Strong City?" Psalms 60:9.

144:26-27 "Get thee up into the high mountain, O Zion" Isaiah 40:9-10.

145:4 "A Great City hath descended from heaven" Bahá’u’lláh explains in The Kitáb-i-lqán (199), "That city is none other than the Word of God revealed in every age and dispensation."

145:15 "The Lord will roar from Zion" Amos 1:2.

145:27 "Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel" Amos 4:12-13.

145:29-146:1 "He... that maketh the morning darkness" A reference to Subh-i-Azal (Mírzá Yahya), whose name means "Morning of [Page 12]Eternity." Shortly after Bahá’u’lláh had declared His station, Mírzá Yahya made a counter declaration and announced that he had received an independent revelation to which all peoples were to submit. See Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By 166-67.

146:12-13 "The Lord alone shall be exalted in that Day." Isaiah 2:11.

146:14-15 "Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust"" Isaiah 2:10.

146:21-22 "the splendor of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord"" Isaiah 35:1-2.

147:7 "fear not, behold your God" Isaiah 35:4.

149:27 "Lawh-i-Fu’ád" A tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh and addressed to Shaykh Kázim-i-Samandar, in which reference is made to Fu’ád Páshá, foreign Minister of the Ottoman Empire, who was responsible in part for the exile of Bahá’u’lláh to ‘Akká. Fu’ád Páshá died in France after being dismissed from his post. The tablet, written after Fu’ád Páshá's death, declares that his life was taken in punishment and describes the agony his soul faces for inflicting suffering upon the Manifestation of God. For more details about the tablet, see Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: ‘Akká, The Early Years 3:87-107.

150:7-10 "men's repudiation of the truth hath prevented them from understanding what hath been sent down in truth by Him Who is the Revealer" One's understanding of revelation is affected by belief in the Manifestation of God. Bahá’u’lláh says in The Kitáb-i-lqán (91), "Wert thou to explore the sacred domain of truth, thou wilt find that all things are known only by the light of His recognition, that He hath ever been, and will continue for ever to be, known through Himself."

150:18-22 "Observe and reflect upon... the ocean of the utterance and knowledge of God, so that ye may testify... that with Him is the knowledge of all that is in the Book." The Word of God, revealed through Bahá’u’lláh, is a proof of Bahá’u’lláh's station; thus recognition of His station can come through reading His words. In Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh (114), we are assured, in a prayer to God, that He is "the One Who hath unlocked the door of knowledge before the faces of Thy servants that they may recognize Him Who is the Day-Star of Thy Revelation, the Dawning-Place of Thy signs, the Heaven of Thy manifestation and the Sun of Thy divine beauty." This passage in Epistle reiterates the same point.

Reading for Insight

1. Keep track of some of Epistle's major themes on the 5x7-inch notecards you started using in Sessions 1-4. The following are some examples found on pages 121:24-151:16. On each card list specific examples of the theme and any other information you want to include.

• Prophecies Quoted by Bahá’u’lláh about His Advent (141, 142, 143-44, 145, 146, 148)
• Bahá’u’lláh's Directives to the Shaykh (126, 130)
• Bahá’u’lláh's General Teachings and Directives (scattered throughout)
• Bahá’u’lláh's Identity (128, 129, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 150)
• Bahá’u’lláh's Mission (137)
• The Fear of God (135, 136, 147)
• The Day of God (126, 132, 133-34, 140, 143, 144, 145, 147)
• Bahá’u’lláh's Suffering and His Response (122, 125-26)
• Proofs of Bahá’u’lláh's Station (147, 148)
• The Nature and Effect of the Word of God (146, 147, 150)
• Bahá’ís (122-23, 124, 135)
• Goodly Deeds, Trustworthiness, and Piety (135, 136-37)

2. To improve your ability to "recite divine verses whenever the occasion demandeth it" (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh 200) and increase the effectiveness of your teaching, copy short passages for memorization and meditation. In this particular section, Bahá’u’lláh recommends (Epistle 134) that you memorize "these perspicuous verses" (131:18- 134:18).

REFLECTING AND REVIEWING

• • Reflecting:** Spend a few moments at the end of every reading session reflecting on what you have just read. Summarize in your mind what you have read, and try to relate it to what you already know. What spiritual insights have you gained?

• • Checking Your Recall of the Facts:**

1. How does Bahá’u’lláh describe the people of Bahá (the Bahá’ís)? (122-23, 124, 135, 137) 2. Why did Bahá’u’lláh's enemies in Constantinople circulate stories about Him? (125) 3. According to Bahá’u’lláh, how are God's true lovers to be recognized? (125) 4. What warning does Bahá’u’lláh give to the leaders of religion regarding the Book of God? (128) 5. To what final end should all learning lead? (129) 6. What bounties is the Shaykh promised if he will enter Bahá’u’lláh's presence? (130) 7. What barriers have withheld the people from recognizing Bahá’u’lláh? (131) 8. What is Bahá’u’lláh's response to the following question raised by the voices of protest (132): "Where is Paradise, and where is Hell"""? 9. What is the "fountain-head of all goodly deeds and virtues"? (135) 10. Describe the station of trustworthiness. (136-37) 11. What benefits does Bahá’u’lláh say will result from the adoption of a world language? (138-39) 12. How does the Báb describe Bahá’u’lláh? How does the Báb describe His relationship to Bahá’u’lláh? (141) 13. What is to be the future of Iran? (148-49) 14. Which of His own prophecies does Bahá’u’lláh quote? (148-50) 15. What are the consequences of humanity's rejection of the truth? (150)

ACTION

Read the following passage from Epistle (135): "Say: O people of God! Adorn your temples with the adornment of trustworthiness and piety."

How can you act on this directive?

• • Memorizing:** Memorize all or part of "these perspicuous verses" (131:18-134:18), or choose one of the passages you copied for memorization, and memorize it. How can you act on it? Find or create an opportunity to use it in teaching.

PREPARING FOR STUDY

• • Materials:** Epistle to the Son of the Wolf; The Kitáb-i-fqán; a copy of this study guide; notes from "Individual Work" section.

• • Spiritual Preparation:** Read aloud the following passage from Epistle (139): "The Cause of God hath come as a token of His grace. Happy are they who act; happy are they who understand; happy the man that hath clung unto the truth, detached from all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth."

If you are working with a group, spend a few moments sharing insights. If you are working alone, write down your insights.

READING AND REFLECTING

• • Reviewing and Sharing:**

• Share with your group the answers to the questions from the "Individual Work" section. If you are working alone, review your answers.
• Discuss any ideas that were of particular interest. If you are working alone, write down the ideas that were of particular interest to you.
• Share the results of your efforts to memorize and act on a passage from Epistle. If you are working alone, you may wish to keep a journal of such efforts and their results.

• • Discussion:** The purpose of this section is to come to a group consensus on answers to the questions that follow. For some questions, multiple page numbers are listed as aids to answering. Assign one page to each member of your group (or to several if your group is large) to read and report on. Then, as a group, consult upon and formulate a response to each question. If your group's time is limited, consult about which questions you will cover together and which questions individuals should complete on their own. If you are working alone, write a short essay in response to each question.

1. Discuss Bahá’u’lláh's statement that trustworthiness is "the supreme instrument for the prosperity of the world" (137). How might Bahá’u’lláh's definition of prosperity and the means for its achievement differ from that of the world at large? 2. In a number of places in the section of Epistle discussed in Session 5, Bahá’u’lláh describes the qualities of the Bahá’ís. What are those qualities (see 122-23, 124, 135)? Discuss the process of working both individually and communally to meet the standard Bahá’u’lláh offers. Consider the role of the Word of God and of forgiveness. 3. Discuss the following passage from Epistle (147): "the blast of the trumpet must needs spread confusion throughout the world, and fear and trembling amongst all men. Well is it with him who hath been illumined with the light of trust and detachment. The tribulations of that Day will not hinder or alarm him." How are "fear and trembling" being manifested "amongst all men"? How do trust and detachment protect against this fear? How does this passage relate to Bahá’u’lláh's admonishments to fear God (see 135, 136, 147)? 4. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá encourages the believers to increase their "skill in marshaling the divine proofs and evidences" (Bahá’í Education: A Compilation [U.S. ed.] 12). Working in pairs, list and describe the evidences Bahá’u’lláh cites of the following events. Each pair should choose one or two events, develop an answer for those who are not Bahá’ís, and then share its answers with the larger group. a. The Resurrection has come, and ""He Who is the Self-Subsisting hath appeared with the Kingdom of His signs."**" (132) [Page 13]b. The stars have fallen. (132) c. The heavens have been cleft asunder. (133) d. "Darkness hath been chased away by the dawning-light of the mercy of thy Lord...." (133) e. The stunning trumpet-blast hath been loudly raised...." (132) f. Men have been laid low. (132)

ACTION

How can you, as a group or as an individual, act on the following directive from Epistle (135)? "O people of God!... Help, then, your Lord with the hosts of goodly deeds and a praiseworthy character."

ASSIGNMENT

To prepare for Session 6, read Epistle 151:17-181:17.

PREPARING FOR STUDY

Materials: Epistle to the Son of the Wolf; Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: Mazra’ih & Bahjí 1877-92 (Vol. 4); Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By; a dictionary; a copy of this study guide; 5x7-inch notecards or a spiral notebook.

Spiritual Preparation: Read the following passage from Epistle (151), and take a few moments to meditate on it: "Behold ye Him with His own eyes. Were ye to behold Him with the eyes of another, ye would never recognize and know Him."

Overview of Pages 151:17-181:17

In the section of Epistle covered in Session 6, the last session in this study guide, Bahá’u’lláh continues His invitation to the Shaykh to "Seek... the shore of the Most Great Ocean" (139), to "enter the ocean of the unity of God" (140), and to "Give ear unto that which the Tongue of Might and Power hath spoken in the Books of God" (140). Speaking through the Shaykh, He now addresses the "people of the Bayán" (152), followers of the Báb who, despite His intention that they should recognize and bear allegiance to "Him Who is the Desire of their hearts" (156, 157, 162), have failed to recognize Bahá’u’lláh as the One foretold. Bahá’u’lláh quotes extensively from the Báb's writings (151-62), summoning the Bábís to "Behold ye Him with His own eyes"" (151) and "Recognize Him by His verses"" (159). He supports the truth of His own revelation by citing the Báb's prophecies and affirmations of His (Bahá’u’lláh's) station and of the power and potency of His revelation. Bahá’u’lláh warns the Bábís not to fall into patterns of the past—refusing even to recognize the Manifestation of God as a believer (157), allowing the proximity of two revelations to veil them from the truth (157), or being of them "who have made mention of the Manifestation of the Cause of God in the daytime and in the night season, and who, when He, through His grace, appeared,... pronounced against Him such a judgment as hath provoked the lamentations of the inmates of the Kingdom..."" (153-54).

Bahá’u’lláh describes the mystical relationship between the Báb and Himself, a relationship that existed "before all things were created"" (154). He quotes the Báb's proclamation of belief in Bahá’u’lláh "and in His Faith, and in His Book, and in His Testimonies, and in His Ways, and in all that proceedeth from Him concerning them" (154). The Báb glories in His kinship with Bahá’u’lláh and prides Himself on His belief in Him (154). Bahá’u’lláh also quotes the Báb's repeated declarations of the subordination of His own station and revelation to that of Bahá’u’lláh: "For all that hath been exalted in the Bayán is but as a ring upon My hand, and I Myself am, verily, but a ring upon the hand of Him Whom God shall make manifest..." (155).

Bahá’u’lláh reiterates the Báb's announcement that those who recognize God on the "day of His [Bahá’u’lláh's] Revelation"" (156) "will have attained the summit of their existence, and will have been brought face to face with their Beloved, and will have recognized, to the fullest extent attainable in the world of being, the splendor of Him Who is the Desire of their hearts"" (156). Those who reject Bahá’u’lláh after He reveals Himself are "shut out as by a veil from God"" (155).

Among the Bábís who rejected Bahá’u’lláh were a few who sought to do great harm to Him, to His Cause, and to His followers. These included His half-brother Mírzá Yahyá; Siyyid Muhammad (also called the Siyyid of Isfahan and the Antichrist of the Bahá’í revelation); Mírzá Hádí Dawlat-Ábádí (whom Mírzá Yahya later appointed as his successor); and Bahá’u’lláh's sister (161-77). Bahá’u’lláh discusses some of their deeds at length, hoping to make others aware of what came between "the True One and His creatures" (163). Bahá’u’lláh discloses that those who have turned away from Him "have schemed many a time, and acted deceitfully in divers ways.... they have seized upon every means in order to repudiate the True One" (161). Moreover, they have included murder among their many shameful acts. Bahá’u’lláh pays homage to several Bahá’ís for whose murders they are responsible (174-76). Despite the wrongdoings of the "heedless," Bahá’u’lláh prays on their behalf (177).

In the closing pages of Epistle, Bahá’u’lláh quotes prophecies and traditions "regarding the blessed and honored city of ‘Akká" (177) in order to offer Hádí and others the opportunity to "seek a path unto the Truth, and a road leading unto God" (177). ‘Akká is a city to which God has shown "special mercy" (178). Its shores have been deemed above the merit of all other shores, as was "the merit of Muhammad above that of all other Prophets" (178). Great rewards are promised to those who visit ‘Akká or visit "the visitor of ‘Akká" (179). Among the rewards promised are blessings, forgiveness of sins, and protection from the terror of the Day of Resurrection (179-80). Clearly it is no coincidence that Bahá’u’lláh mentions such prophecies, for with His arrival in the city of ‘Akká in 1868 and His imprisonment there in the Most Great Prison, the prophecies and traditions were fulfilled.

Reading for Meaning

1. Read and reflect, asking yourself, "What is Bahá’u’lláh saying?" Reread if necessary. 2. Read for patterns. Try to recall other places where Bahá’u’lláh addresses the topics found in pages 151-81. What else does He say about them? 3. The following explanations of terms are provided to aid your understanding of the text.

page 151:21 "this Most Great Revelation" The revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, which surpasses in knowledge and potency all revelations of the past and of the future, including the Báb's (see Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh 74-75). Regarding the Báb's revelation, Bahá’u’lláh has said (quoted in Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh 125), "'Knowledge is twenty and seven letters. All that the Prophets have revealed are two letters thereof. No man thus far hath known more than these two letters. But when the Qá’im shall arise, He will cause the remaining twenty and five letters to be made manifest.' 'Behold,... 'how great and lofty is His station! His rank excelleth that of all the Prophets and His Revelation transcendeth the comprehension and understanding of all their chosen ones."" However, the greatness of the Báb's revelation is surpassed by the greatness of Bahá’u’lláh's. The Báb, Himself, declares (quoted in Epistle 151) "The year-old germ that holdeth within itself the potentialities of the Revelation that is to come is endowed with a potency superior to the combined forces of the whole of the Bayán.""

154:16-18 "the Point of the Bayán Himself hath believed in Him Whom God shall make manifest, before all things were created." A letter written on Shoghi Effendi's behalf dated 5 January 1948 to an individual believer (see Lights of Guidance: A Bahá’í Reference File [1988 ed.] 504) explains how this is possible: "The Prophets, unlike us, are pre-existent. The Soul of Christ existed in the spiritual world before His birth in this world. We cannot imagine what that world is like, so words are inadequate to picture His state of being."

155:18-20 "And whosoever is made a Vicegerent by Him, shall be a Vicegerent in all the worlds, for this is an act of God."" A vicegerent is one appointed by a king or other ruler to act or to carry out certain administrative functions in his place. (NOTE: "Viceregent" is a typographical error that the Universal House of Justice has asked us to correct in the 1991 printing of Epistle.) This statement from the Báb about Bahá’u’lláh's power appears to foreshadow Bahá’u’lláh's appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Center of the Covenant. Shoghi Effendi refers (God Passes By 245) to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as Bahá’u’lláh's "vicegerent on earth, the Executive of His authority."

156:7, 10 "mirrors" The Báb explains (Selections from the Writings of the Báb 103) that "The One true God may be compared unto the sun and the believer unto a mirror. No sooner is the mirror placed before the sun than it reflects its light."

156:27-157:1 "They will even refuse unto that Tree, which is neither of the East nor of the West, the name believer, for were they so to name Him, they would fail to sadden Him." The "Tree" referred to is the Manifestation of God, in this case Bahá’u’lláh. The reference to refusing to name the Manifestation of God a believer alludes to a historical pattern. The Báb explains (Selections from the Writings of the Báb 78-79) that when Muhammad appeared, people who were "veiled" believed that He was like them and not a Prophet and refused even "to call Him a believer." The same pattern repeated itself with the Báb. In this passage from Epistle, the Báb is predicting a similar fate for Bahá’u’lláh, despite the fact that the Báb has "educated all men, that they may recognize this Revelation" (157). [Page 14]

Notes on Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

157:16-17 "For none knoweth the time of the Revelation except God." Marzieh Gail explains in the introduction to Epistle (xvii) that this statement "refutes the disbelievers who claimed that the Advent proclaimed by the Báb to be imminent, would take place only in 2,001, a date arrived at by totalling the numerical value of the letters compos-ing the word Mustagháth, assigned by the Báb as the limit of time fixed for the coming of the promised Manifestation. Mustagháth, means 'He Who is Invoked.'"

158:2-4 "peruse...the eighth Chapter of the sixth Váhid of the Bayán" This chapter has not been translated into English.

159:13 "this Súrih of the Qur’án" The súrih referred to is Súrih 109, "The Unbelievers." Bahá’u’lláh quotes the entire súrih, which Muhammad revealed in response to certain idolatrous Meccans who proposed that if He would worship their gods for a year, they would worship His God for a year.

159:24-26 "The tree of affirmation... the tree of denial" To affirm means to attest to the truth of something. The "tree of affirma-tion" refers to those who acknowledge their belief in God and put their whole trust in Him. The "tree of denial" refers to those who shut themselves out from God and refuse to believe in His signs. Even if a person believes in one Manifestation of God, failure to recognize subsequent Manifestations makes him or her a denier of God's unity. For a discussion of affirma-tion and negation, see Selections from the Writings of the Báb 147.

160:25 "O Mirror of My generosity" Adib Taherzadeh explains, in Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: Mazra'ih & Bahjí 4:438, that the Báb "bestowed the designation 'mirror' upon a few of His followers." The phrase in this passage is "a reference to Hájí Siyyid Javád-i-Karbilá’í, a devoted follower of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh."

161:29 "these stones that can take no imprint" A reference to unbelievers. The Báb writes, in Selections from the Writings of the Báb (103), that "The unbeliever may be likened unto a stone. No matter how long it is exposed to the sunshine, it cannot reflect the sun.... Indeed, if God willeth, He is potent to turn the stone into a mirror, but the person himself remaineth reconciled to his state. Had he wished to become a crystal, God would have made him to assume crystal form."

162:10-13 "It is indeed for the purpose of recogniz-ing this Most Great Cause that they have come... into the world of being." Bahá’u’lláh has clearly explained in Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh (70) that "The purpose of God in creating man hath been, and will ever be, to enable him to know his Creator and to attain His Presence."

164:15 "Mawlavis" An order of whirling dervishes.

166:13 Refers to Shah Sultán Khánum, also known (as Khánum Buzurg, a half-sister of Bahá’u’lláh and follower of Mírzá Yahya.

166:16-18 "this Wronged One departed from Baghdad, and for two years withdrew from the world." Bahá’u’lláh arrived in Baghdad in 1853 to find that the Bábí community there had virtually disinte-grated. It was to be ten years before He made public His station as that of Him Whom God shall make Manifest. In the meantime He immediately set to work revitalizing the Bábí community. Not long after Bahá’u’lláh’s arrival, Mírzá Yahya, the Báb’s chosen successor, also came to Baghdad. Mírzá Yahyá did nothing to act upon his role as head of the Bábís except to glory in its title. Extremely jealous of the love and reverence shown to Bahá’u’lláh by the Bábís and others, Mírzá Yahya and Siyyid Muhammad set out to create trouble for Bahá’u’lláh. To "avoid becoming a subject of discord among the faithful" (Kitáb-i-Íqán 251), Bahá’u’lláh fled from Baghdad to the mountains of Sulaymán-fyyih, Kurdistan. For a detailed account of Mírzá Yahya’s role in stirring up discord in Baghdad and of Bahá’u’lláh’s subsequent self-imposed seclusion, see God Passes By 112-26.

168:9 "The Siyyid of Isfahán" Siyyid Muhammad, the "Antichrist of the Bahá’í revelation" and a native of Isfahan (God Passes By 164, 112). He and Mírzá Yahyȧ created a great deal of trouble for Bahá’u’lláh and His followers. Shoghi Effendi describes him in God Passes By (112) as "The black-hearted scoundrel who befooled and manipulated" Mírzá Yahya "with consum-mate skill and unyielding persistence." Shoghi Effendi adds (God Passes By 112) that he was "notorious for his inordinate ambition, his blind obstinacy and uncon-trollable jealousy" and writes that Bahá’u’lláh later referred to him in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas as "the one who had 'led astray' Mírzá Yahya, and stigmatized him, in one of His Tablets, as the 'source of envy and the quintessence of mischief.'" ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (quoted in God Passes By 112-13) has likened the relationship between Siyyid Muhammad and Mírzá Yahya to that of "the sucking child' and the 'much-prized breast' of its mother."

168:15-17 "carefully look into the communications addressed in his name to the Primal Point" A careful look at the correspon-dence of Mirza Yahya, who made a claim similar to Bahá’u’lláh’s, will demonstrate the truth, for the words of men can never be compared to the words of the Manifestation of God.

168:29 "the authorship of the Kitáb-i-fqán" Mírzá Yahya’s followers had circulated a disgraceful rumor that he was the author of the Kitáb-i-fqán.

169:5 "Hádí" Mírzá Hádí Dawlat-Ábádí, termed by Shoghi Effendi "perfidious" and "notorious" (God Passes By 233). He was a Muslim clergyman who became a Bábí in the early days of the Faith and later publicly recanted his belief in the Báb, eventually succeeding Mirza Yahya in leading the Azalís (see Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: Mazra'ih & Bahjí 4:174-76).

169:8 "Hasan-i-Mázindarání" One of Bahá’u’lláh’s paternal cousins and a faithful Bahá’í.

"one of the sisters of this Wronged One"

170:4-5 "Mirzá Músá" A faithful brother of Bahá’u’lláh, "one of 'the only two persons Owho,' according to Bahá’u’lláh’s testimony, 'were adequately informed of the origins' of His Faith" (quoted in God Passes By 108).

172:29 "Dayyán" The title the Báb gave to Mírzá Asadu’lláh of Khuy, a devoted and distin-guished believer, who was the third person to recognize Bahá’u’lláh’s station before His Declaration. He was murdered in Baghdad by followers of Mírzá Yahya. See Nabíl-i-A'zam [Muhammad-i-Zarandí], The Dawn-Breakers: Nabíl’s Narrative of the Early Days of the Bahá’í Revelation 303-04.

173:5 "Farmán-Farmá and Hisámu’s-Saltanih" Princes and paternal uncles of Násiri’d-Din Sháh. See also the Epistle glossary 185, 187.

"Chihriq" and "Mákú" Two fortresses, both located in the northwestern corner of Iran, in which the Báb was imprisoned.

"Siyyid Husayn" A native of Yazd, one of the first eighteen disciples of the Báb. He served as the Báb’s amanuensis and companion in Mákú and Chihríq and continued in that capacity until His martyr-dom.

173:8-11 "he... who was continually surrounded by five of the handmaidens of God" An allusion to Mírzá Yahya, who practiced polygamy. He married eleven wives and had a reputation for lust.

173:18-21 "How many the fires which God con-verteth into light through Him Whom God shall make manifest; and how numerous the lights which are turned into fire through Him!" A reference to the power of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation to transform denial into belief and to distin-guish the faithful from the unfaithful. The metaphors of light and fire are common in the Bahá’í writings. In The Kitáb-i-Íqán (118, 121) Bahá’u’lláh refers to the "fire" or "fires" of unbelief. The Báb (Selections from the Writings of the Báb 61, 11, 87) refers to the "Most Great Fire" and "hell-fire" as consequences of unbelief and says that "no fire hath been or will be fiercer for them [God's creatures] than to be veiled from the Manifestation of My exalted Self and to disbelieve in My Words." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains in Some Answered Questions (224) that light is "the symbol of knowl-edge" (84) and that "the light of faith" delivers people from the torment of "being veiled from God" and from the "punish-ment" of "sensual vices, dark qualities, lowness of nature, engrossment in carnal desires." Fire is often a symbol of unbelief and its consequences.

174:26 "Mirzá ‘Alí-Akbar" A paternal cousin of the Báb and an intimate friend of Dayyán. Mírzá ‘Alí-Akbar was murdered in Baghdad by followers of Mirzá Yahya on his orders.

176:1 "Abu’l-Qásim-i-Káshí" A learned Bábí from Káshán who went to Baghdad and there became an ardent lover of Bahá’u’lláh. He was murdered in Baghdad by followers of Mírzá Yahya on his orders.

176:3-4 "Siyyid Ibrahim" Surnamed "Khalil" by the Báb, he was a Shaykhí from Tabriz who became a deeply trusted disciple of the Báb and received several tablets from Him. Later in Baghdad he recognized the station

176:11 [Page 15]177:3-5 179:17 180:12 of Bahá’u’lláh, Who protected Him from Mírzá Yahya’s endeavors to have him killed.

"that which had been done, affecting the honor of the Báb, which hath truly overwhelmed all lands with sorrow" A reference to Mírzá Yahya’s marrying the Báb’s second wife and then giving her away in marriage to Siyyid Muhammad one month later.

"God will gather him with Khidr" "Khidr" is the name of a legendary immor- tal Islamic saint, discoverer and custodian of the fountain of life, and "symbol of the True Guide" (Marzieh Gail, in Epistle xviii).

"supererogation" The act of performing more than is required by duty, obligation, or need.

181:10-11 "betwixt the Rukn and the Maqám" "The Rukn" refers to the Black Stone set in the wall of the Ka’bih, the cube-shaped building in the center of the mosque at Mecca and the main goal of Islamic pilgrimage. "The Maqám," or Station of Abraham, is situated in front of the Ka’bih’s facade, inside the mosque. The Qur’an refers to "The first Temple that was founded for mankind" (the temple in Mecca) in which "evident signs" are found, Gamong them, "the standing-place of Abraham" (3:90-91) and suggests taking "the station of Abraham for a place of prayer" (2:119), promising that "he who entereth" the temple "is safe" (3:91).

Reading for Insight

1. Keep track of some of Epistle's major themes on the 5x7-inch notecards you started using in Sessions 1-5. The following are some examples that can be found on pages 151:17-181:17. On each card list specific examples of the theme and any other information you want to include.

The Relationship of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 158, 160, 162, 171, 174)

Bahá’u’lláh's Directives to the Shaykh (152)

Bahá’u’lláh's Directives to the Bábís (152, 153- 54, 154-55, 158, 159, 160, 162-63, 171, 172)

Bahá’u’lláh's General Teachings and Directives (scattered throughout)

Bahá’u’lláh's Identity (177)

Bahá’u’lláh's Mission (161, 162-63, 166)

The Nature and Effect of the Word of God (151- 52, 159)

Proofs of Bahá’u’lláh's Station (152, 166, 173)

The Power of Bahá’u’lláh's Revelation (151, 152, 155)

Prophecies Relating to ‘Akká (177-81)

2. To improve your ability to "recite divine verses whenever the occasion demandeth it" (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh 200) and increase the effectiveness of your teaching, copy short passages for memoriza- tion and meditation.

Checking Your Recall of the Pets

1. In general, what advice does Bahá’u’lláh give to the Bábís? Why should they follow it? (Check the references above to "Bahá’u’lláh's Directives to the Bábís.")

2. According to the Báb, what are the results of bearing allegiance to the new Manifestation of God "on the day of His Revelation" (156)?

3. How does Bahá’u’lláh refute the disbelievers' argument that the time has not yet come for a new revelation? (157)

4. How is the Manifestation of God to be recognized? (153, 159)

5. What examples does Bahá’u’lláh cite of deeds that "have been the cause of protest and denial" (163)? (161, 163-64)

6. What claim does Hádí make for himself? Why, according to Bahá’u’lláh, does he make such a claim? (163-64)

7. Who is Siyyid Muhammad, and what did he do? (164; see also the note for 168:9, on "The Siyyid of Isfahan")

8. What arguments does Bahá’u’lláh use to dissuade Hádí from making his claim and from trying to destroy every copy of the Bayán? (164-66)

9. What Book does Bahá’u’lláh claim is the founda- tion of His works? (165)

10. What was Bahá’u’lláh's reaction to the behavior of His sister? (169-71)

11. Bahá’u’lláh reveals the Names and attributes of God through His actions. In His response to the actions of His enemies described in this section, what Names and attributes are revealed? (164, 169, 170, 171, 177)

12. What did the Báb say to ensure that the closeness of His revelation to Bahá’u’lláh's would not be an obstacle for His followers? (171) Why would closeness be an obstacle to recognition? Why are the Báb's words effective?

13. Why is Hádí alive while others who have been faithful have suffered martyrdom? (174)

14. What benefits await those who go to ‘Akká? (179- 81)

15. What are some specific actions that one takes while in ‘Akká to draw these benefits? (178, 179, 180-81)

ACTION: Read the following passage from Epistle (152): "The blessed Lote-Tree standeth, in this day, before thy face, laden with heavenly, with new and wondrous fruits. Gaze on it, detached from all else save it."

How can you act on this directive?

Memorizing: Choose one of the passages you copied for memorization, and memorize it. How can you act on it? Find or create an opportunity to use it in teach-

Reflecting and Reviewing

Reflecting: Spend a few moments at the end of every reading session reflecting on what you have just read. Summarize in your mind what you have read, and try to relate it to what you already know. What spiritual insights have you gained?

Preparing for Study

Materials: Epistle to the Son of the Wolf; Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas; The Hidden Words; a copy of this study guide; notes from "Individual Work" section.

Spiritual Preparation: Read aloud the following passage from Session 5 of Epistle (150): "Observe and reflect upon the billows of the ocean of the utterance and knowledge of God, so that ye may testify with your inner and outer tongues that with Him is the knowledge of all that is in the Book. Nothing escapeth His knowledge."

Group Work

If you are working with a group, spend a few minutes sharing insights. If you are working alone, write down your insights.

Reviewing and Sharing

Share with your group the answers to the questions from the "Individual Work" section. If you are working alone, review your answers.

Discuss any ideas that were of particular interest. If you are working alone, write down the ideas that were of particular interest to you.

Share the results of your efforts to memorize and act on a passage from Epistle. If you are working alone, you may wish to keep a journal of such efforts and their results.

Discussion

The purpose of this section is to come to a group consensus on answers to the questions that follow. For some questions, multiple page numbers are listed as aids to answering. Assign one page to each member of your group (or to several members if your group is large) to read and report on. Then, as a group, consult upon and formulate a response to each ques- tion. If your group's time is limited, consult about which questions you will cover together and which questions individuals should complete on their own. If you are working alone, write a short essay in response to each question.

1. On page 154 Bahá’u’lláh asks, "Whither are gone they who are endued with insight and hearing?" In Session 4 we learned that only "*"such as are endued with insight"" are able to see the "*"Bal- ance" (Epistle 132-see the explanation for 132:20-21). What does Bahá’u’lláh mean by "insight" and "hearing"? How are these powers activated in ourselves and in others? How does a person who is endued with insight see the world? What are the opposites of these qualities? (See Hidden Words Arabic no. 44; Persian nos. 11, 12; Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh 35, 142, 220, 261.)

2. What is the relationship between the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh? What reasoning does Bahá’u’lláh use to persuade the Bábís that He fulfills the Báb's prophecies? Consult your notecards to answer this question.

3. Consider the meaning of the following passage that Bahá’u’lláh quotes from the Báb on Epistle 153: "Look not upon Him with any eye except His own. For whosoever looketh upon Him with His Yeye, will recognize Him; otherwise he will be veiled from Him."" What are the implications of this verse for teaching and deepening in the Bahá’í Faith?

4. The answers to the questions "Who is Bahá’u’lláh?" and "Why did He come?" are two major themes of Epistle. If you are working with a large group, divide into smaller discussion groups, and choose one of the major themes that you would like to work on. Drawing on individuals' notes from previous exercises, make a list of references, including at least two proofs, and use them to develop a short presentation for a non- Bahá’í audience. The presentation can be written (for example, a pamphlet or news article), visual (for example, a poster or advertisement), or oral (for example, a speech for a fireside or an inter- view). Share your presentation with the larger group. If you are working alone, select the theme on which you would like to work, and develop your own presentation in one of the three formats.

ACTION: How can you, as a group or as an individual, act on the following directive from Epistle (153)? "Look not upon Him with any eye except His own. For whosoever looketh upon Him with His eye, will recognize Him; otherwise he will be veiled from Him. Shouldst thou seek God and His Presence, seek thou Him and gaze upon Him."" [Page 16]

Evaluation of A Study Guide to Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

Please take a few moments at the end of your study to evaluate the Study Guide to Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. Your comments will help us improve the guide so that it better meets the needs of Bahá’ís and their communities and will give us suggestions for future study guides.

INDIVIDUAL WORK:

1. For how many of the six sessions did you complete the “Individual Work” section? ________________________________

2. On the average, how much time did you spend per session on the “Individual Work” sections? ________________________________

3. How helpful was completing the “Individual Work” sections to understanding the text of the book? Please circle the number on the scale below that indicates most closely your response.

NOT HELPFUL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VERY HELPFUL

1 2 3 4 5

4. Please place an “H” next to the parts of the “Individual Work” section you found most helpful. Place a “D” next to any parts that could be deleted without affecting the quality of the study.

___ Spiritual Preparation

___ Overview of reading assignment

___ “Reading for Meaning” suggestions

___ Explanations of Terms

___ “Reading for Insight” theme exercises

___ Reflecting

___ “Checking Your Recall of the Facts” questions

___ Memorization

___ Action suggestions

5. Using the scale below, please rate the level of difficulty of the “Individual Work” sections. Circle the number below that indicates most closely your response.

TOO DIFFICULT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOO EASY

1 2 3 4 5

6. Please comment on the amount of work required to complete the “Individual Work” sections. ________________________________

7. Using the scale below, please rate the amount of information you learned from completing the “Individual Work” sections of the study guide.

NONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A LOT

1 2 3 4 5

8. Please use the space below to offer any comments or suggestions for improving the “Individual Work” sections. ________________________________

GROUP WORK:

1. How many “Group Work” sessions did you attend? ________________________________

2. On the average, how long was each session? ________________________________

Do you feel the sessions allowed enough time? ________________________________

3. Did your group complete all of the suggested exercises? ________________________________

If not, which exercises were usually omitted? ________________________________

4. How helpful was completing the “Group Work” sections to understanding the text of the book? Please circle the number on the scale below that indicates most closely your response.

NOT HELPFUL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VERY HELPFUL

1 2 3 4 5

5. Please place an “H” next to the parts of the “Group Work” section you found most helpful. Place a “D” next to any parts that could be deleted without affecting the quality of the study.

___ Completing the “Individual Work” sections first

___ Spiritual Preparation

___ Reviewing and Sharing

___ The discussion questions and their answers

___ The discussions

___ The knowledge of others in the group

___ Action suggestions

6. Using the scales below, please rate the discussion questions found in the “Group Work” sections of the study guide.

NOT STIMULATING . . . . . . . . . VERY STIMULATING

1 2 3 4 5

NOT HELPFUL TO UNDERSTANDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VERY HELPFUL

1 2 3 4 5

TOO DIFFICULT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOO EASY

1 2 3 4 5

7. Using the scale below, please rate your group’s interactions during study sessions.

DOMINATED BY A FEW . . . . . . . . . PARTICIPATION BY ALL

1 2 3 4 5

8. Using the scale below, please rate the amount of information you learned from completing the “Group Work” sections.

NOTHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A LOT

1 2 3 4 5

9. Using the scale below, please rate the level of difficulty of the “Group Work” sections.

TOO DIFFICULT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOO EASY

1 2 3 4 5

10. Please use the space below to offer any comments or suggestions for improving the “Group Work” sections of the study guide. ________________________________

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

1. Please indicate your age and level of education in the spaces below.

Age: ________________________________

Level of Education:

___ some high school ___ college graduate

___ high school graduate ___ post graduate

___ some college

2. How many Bahá’ís are in your community? ________________________________

3. What region of the country is your community in?

___ Northeast ___ Southeast

___ Northwest ___ Southwest

___ Midwest

4. Is your community urban, rural, or suburban? (circle one)

Please mail the completed survey to:

Bahá’í Publishing Trust

415 Linden Ave.

Wilmette, IL 60091

Reading Material for Sessions 5 and 6 of the Study Guide to Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf by Bahá’u’lláh

Marking the end of forty years of divine revelation, Epistle was the last major work to flow from the pen of Bahá’u’lláh. Proclaiming to the world Who He is and why He has come and quoting “some of the most characteristic and celebrated passages” of His own revelation, Bahá’u’lláh provides an extraordinary model of how to use His writings to teach His Faith. The National Spiritual Assembly has asked the American Bahá’í community to read and study Epistle to the Son of the Wolf this year as a personal education objective.

4-1/4 x 7 inches, 181 pages, glossary U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust PS $6.50

The Bahá’í Distribution Service 1-800-999-9019

[Page 17]

WORLD NEWS

An atmosphere of “great spirituality, love and gratitude” prevailed at the Bahá’í International Youth Conference held January 10-13 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Nearly 200 people attended the conference, representing 13 states of Brazil and nine other countries. Special guests included Counselor for the Americas Shapoor Monadjem and four members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil. ...

A teaching campaign, a consolidation project, a deepening conference and five summer schools were held during December in Cameroon. As a result of the teaching campaign, 90 people were enrolled in the Faith, nine localities were opened, three new local Spiritual Assemblies were formed, and one children’s class was being organized. Another 20 people were enrolled during the consolidation project. ...

In February, a delegation of Bahá’í women took part in an ecumenical reunion organized by the Permanent Peace Center in Peru. Prayers were read for peace in the Middle East and around the world, a copy of “The Promise of World Peace” was presented to the president of the Peace Center, and Bahá’í pamphlets were given to others in the audience. ...

A representative of the Bahá’í community of Finland was invited to take part in a seminar organized by that country’s National Board of Education to discuss various topics related to reading abilities. The Bahá’í reminded participants of the importance of addressing ethical questions as well as physical and intellectual ones when making educational plans. ...

In Guinea-Bissau, seven enthusiastic Bahá’ís enrolled 430 people in the Faith during a 45-day teaching campaign dedicated to the memory of the first African Bahá’í martyr, Duarte Marques Vieira. ...

A four-day Bahá’í Family Conference last November in Hyderabad, India, drew 102 people including 30 women and 21 children. Topics covered included an introduction to the Faith, the Station of Bahá’u’lláh, laws and ordinances, Bahá’í administration, and Bahá’í family life. ...

About 480 Bahá’ís from Italy, Malta and San Marino took part in a recent teaching conference whose theme was the life of Bahá’u’lláh as inspiration for individual transformation. A main topic of consultation was the ongoing teaching campaign in Portici, Italy. ...

More than 2,000 Bahá’ís have attended a series of one-day conferences in Papua New Guinea to deepen the friends in the ministry of Bahá’u’lláh. The conferences, sponsored by the Continental Board of Counselors and National Spiritual Assembly and held in more than 40 locations around the country, are called “The Story of Bahá’u’lláh.” ...

The cornerstone for the Regional Bahá’í Center in Manzini, Swaziland, was laid during a joyful ceremony last October. The program included prayers in many languages, an explanation of the functions of a regional Bahá’í Center, and an account of the history of the Faith in Manzini. ...

A Women’s Conference on Radio Programming was held last fall at the Guaymi Cultural Center in Panama. About 150 people attended the event, whose primary purpose was to consult about radio programming in relation to topics of special interest to women. ...

The National Bahá’í Youth Committees of the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom held an historic joint meeting last November in Northern Ireland. Among the major topics considered were ways to improve the cooperation among youth, teaching activities, deepening seminars, Bahá’í societies, and youth conferences. ...

Nineteen Bahá’ís ranging in age from 11 to 50 years took part in “Project Olinga” in Burkina Faso in which 14 people were enrolled in the Faith in 15 days. ...

Bahá’ís in Miraflores, Peru, took part February 16 in a Chinese New Year party organized by the Central Society of the Chinese people of Peru. The event was held at the Ta Yiok Chinese Social Club which has operated for more than 50 years in Peru. ...

In Chad, the Charles Wolcott Tutorial School in Ferme Takira is one of a number of informal village schools organized by the Bahá’í Regional Social Development Committee of Sarh.

National Spiritual Assembly responds to UN representative's report to Human Rights Commission on conditions in Iran

As a part of his conclusions and recommendations in a report presented in February to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, UN Special Representative for Iran Galindo Pohl stated: “The report includes information obtained from many documents signed and sealed by administrative authorities of various ranks [in Iran] who deny followers of the Bahá’í faith enjoyment of the same rights as other citizens. ...

“This is why an appeal should be made to the Government to grant equal treatment, without exception, to all citizens including followers of the Bahá’í faith.”

On March 7, Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary for External Affairs of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, issued the following statement on the resolution resulting from Mr. Galindo Pohl’s report, which was adopted that same day by the UN Commission on Human Rights:

“American Bahá’ís welcome the adoption by the UN Human Rights Commission of an important resolution which continues the United Nations oversight of Iran’s human rights practices.

“The Commission resolution refers specifically to the Bahá’í community, which continues to suffer severe official repression based solely on religious grounds.

“The resolution extends the mandate of the UN Special Representative for Iran, who urged the Commission to appeal to Iran ‘to grant equal treatment, without exception, to all citizens including followers of the Bahá’í faith.’

“The resolution was adopted by consensus, with the Iranian government joining in agreement to the text.

“There is ample evidence that the many appeals adopted over the past decade by the U.S. Congress, the UN Human Rights Commission and the General Assembly have led to some recent improvements in Iran’s treatment of individual Bahá’ís.

“The Bahá’í community as a whole, however, continues to be denied the basic rights to organize, elect its leaders, hold community property, educate its youth and carry on the normal activities of a law-abiding religious community.

“We hope the Commission action and other expressions of continuing international concern will convince the Iranian government to emancipate the Bahá’í community and to extend to all its citizens the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the other international covenants to which Iran is a party.”

Registration plans for Bahá’í World Congress in New York City in 1992 are now under way

Plans for the 1992 Bahá’í World Congress celebration of the centenary of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh are advancing rapidly. The World Congress Logistics Office is pleased to share the following information:

Who may attend. Adult Bahá’ís in good standing and Bahá’í children over 12 years of age (born before December 1, 1980) are eligible to register and attend.

Registration review. Registration for the expected audience of 32,000 officially opens this month for a period of about one year. Registration is on a first-come basis by postmark date; no on-site registration is planned.

Registration packet distribution. Registration materials will be sent to each local Assembly and District Teaching Committee for further distribution to the friends (including isolated believers) in their communities. Additional packets and forms may be requested from World Congress Registration (address below).

How to register. Space is limited; to reserve a place and to receive the best possible travel accommodations, the friends should complete the Congress Registration Forms and return them with their payments to Bahá’í World Congress Registration.

Travel packages. The significantly discounted, pre-arranged Congress Travel Packages, available only through Congress Registration, have been arranged for the convenience and cost-savings of the friends. They include round-trip air fares, airport transfers, hotels, breakfasts on Congress event days, porterage, taxes and gratuities and have the following advantages:

• Airline rates at a significant discount based on group rates for the Congress, and access to even lower fares if they should become available.
• Hotel rates contracted in blocks at major discounts.
• Defrayal of part of the Congress costs according to the number of Travel Packages used.
• Optional travel packages to Chicago (to visit the Mother Temple of the West) at similar discount rates.
• Air travel and hotel bookings in groups from among Bahá’ís anywhere in the world.

All funds received will be deposited and accrue interest for the benefit of the Bahá’í Funds until such time as the monies are disbursed to airline and hotel vendors.

Payment method. Payments can be made by credit card (VISA or MasterCard), personal check, U.S. money order, or cashier’s check.

Mailing address. Bahá’í World Congress Registration, P.O. Box 789, Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 18]

Inscribir hispanos—meta importante del Plan

SPANISH

Hacer el esfuerzo especial de inscribir a personas de origen hispano a la Fe Bahá’í es una de las metas importantes del Plan de Seis Años. Puesto que los hispanos provienen de diferentes países y medios culturales, la enseñanza de Bahá’u’lláh puede tomar diversas formas. No existe un solo método que sea “el ideal” para ‎estabecer establecer‎ contacto con ellos, y aquellos que enseñan a personas hispanas deben tener presente tanto la diversidad cultural como los rasgos culturales que existen en común entre los grupos hispanos.

Se estima que un 60 por cien de la población hispana de los Estados Unidos es mejicana o mejico-americana, muchos de ellos descendientes de los habitantes originales de sur-oeste. A menudo son bilingües y pueden identificarse con la cultura mejicana tanto como con la americana. Otros son mejicanos, inmigrados recientemente, que hablan español exclusivamente y que probablemente reflejan la cultura de una provincia mejicana específica. Otro 20 por cien de la población hispana proviene de Puerto Rico, Cuba y otras islas del Caribe. La mayoría de los que constituyen el porcentaje restante son de América y del Sur. Recientemente ha habido una ola de inmigrantes hispanos provenientes de Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras y El Salvador.

Cuando se hacen planes sistemáticos para alcanzar a la población hispana, es importante considerar su diversidad. Cada grupo retiene su propia identidad cultural y tiene diferentes ideologías sociales y políticas, tradiciones y temperamento social. Por lo tanto, cuando se trata de atraer e ilustrar a la población hispana sobre la Revelación de Bahá’u’lláh, lo más sensato es seguir el consejo del Guardián, quien sentía que nosotros deberíamos hacer que nuestra:

...interés principal y constante el relacionarse en forma amistosa con todos los sectores de la población sin consideración a clase, credo, nacionalidad o color; el familiarizarse con sus ideas, gustos y hábitos; el estudio de la mejor forma de acercamiento apropiados para ellos; la concentración paciente y discreta en algunos que han demostrado una capacidad y receptividad marcadas y el empeño en extremo benevolente por implantar tanto amor, celo y devoción en sus corazones, que les permita a su vez que lleguen a ser promotores autosuficientes e independientes de la Fe en sus localidades respectivas. (El Advenimiento de la Justicia Divina, pag. 96)

Sin embargo hay algunas características comunes a todos los hispanos que debemos tener presente cuando tomamos en consideración las maneras de llegar hasta ellos. A menudo es necesario pensar en términos de familias cuando enseñamos a los hispanos. Es poco probable que un hispano, especialmente una persona de naturaleza religiosa, tome decisiones individualmente, sin consultar a su familia, y esta última incluye a menudo abuelos, tíos, tías, primos, amigos cercanos de la familia, y padrinos. Por esta razón es importante extender a toda la ‎familiia familia‎ del simpatizante el ‎ofrecimeinto ofrecimiento‎ de compartir la Fe. La transición de convertirse en creyente se facilita así tanto para el individuo como para sus seres allegados cuando la familia aprueba la Fe. Esto podría conducir además a nuevas ocasiones para compartir el Mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh.

Otra similitud es que la mayoría de los hispanos que viven en este país han crecido en una cultura católica con tradiciones religiosas a menudo profundamente arraigadas como parte integral de su tradición cultural. Es aconsejable que las personas ansiosas de enseñar a los hispanos estén preparadas para responder a algunas preguntas básicas sobre la manera como la Fe Bahá’í se relaciona con el Catolicismo en ciertos aspectos como la inmaculada concepción de Jesucristo, la Trinidad y el bautizo. Una buena fuente de información sobre estos temas es Contestación a Unas Preguntas.

Igualmente, los hispanos tienen la tendencia de mostrarse alegres e inclusive jubilosos cuando se expresan en ciertos eventos de la vida tales como los nacimientos, los matrimonios, los bautizos, las confirmaciones, los días de fiesta y los aniversarios. Por consiguiente cuando un hispano declara su fe en Bahá’u’lláh, puede ser crucial que una alegre celebración sea preparada inmediatamente después de su declaración. Proveer medios adicionales a través de los cuales los miembros hispanos de la comunidad puedan expresar su amor por Bahá’u’lláh es algo que debe tenerse en cuenta permanentemente.

Miembros de una población minoritaria en los Estados Unidos, los hispanos no están acostumbrados a sentir la aceptación incondicional, el respeto y el amor de la mayoría de la población. Las muestras especiales de cariño genuino que los bahá’ís demuestren a los hispanos pueden tener un efecto profundo en sus espíritus y atraerlos a la Causa.

Grandes expectativas pueden habilitar a nuevos creyentes

Todos sabemos, gracias a los escritos del Guardián y de la Casa Universal de Justicia, que la entrada continua de nuevos reclutas conducirá, en último lugar, a la entrada por tropas. A través de los Estados Unidos, algunos maestros bahá’ís dedicados han estado implementando proyectos de enseñanza diseñados para iniciar el proceso de expansión a gran escala. Sin embargo, la experiencia nos ha mostrado que a pesar de nuestros mejores esfuerzos para lograr un crecimiento continuo, el registro de números significativos ha ocurrido por temporadas esporádicas de crecimiento abrupto las cuales no hemos logrado mantener de manera continua.

Los proyectos de enseñanza cuentan a menudo con un pequeño número de individuos que participan en el trabajo de enseñanza. En algunas ocasiones hay maestros de otras comunidades que se desplazan para ayudar en los proyectos. Los maestros tanto locales como de otras comunidades llegan a la conclusión de que no pueden continuar las actividades de enseñanza intensivamente durante un período de tiempo indefinido. Esto sucede por razones diversas: la necesidad de ocuparse de sus respectivos hogares y familias, el trabajo o los estudios, o la necesidad de reposar del ritmo exhaustivo del trabajo continuo en la línea de frente de la Causa. Cuando un grupo central de maestros no puede continuar a forjar el camino, generalmente el trabajo de enseñanza mengua o se paraliza. En tales casos, la enseñanza en masa ha ocurrido sin el desarrollo correspondiente de los novicios para que ellos puedan tomar la releva y aliviar así a quienes trabajan devotamente en la línea de frente de la Causa.

El Centro Internacional de Enseñanza ha enfatizado la necesidad de lograr, no solo un incremento en el número de seguidores de la Causa, sino también un incremento en el número de maestros al servicio de la Fe si queremos mantener un ‎creicmeinto crecimiento‎ a gran escala. Dicho incremento se puede lograr si reevaluamos nuestra actitud hacia los nuevos creyentes, considerándolos como nuestros nuevos colegas en la Causa de Dios. Si esta actitud se refleja en la manera como enseñamos, el porcentaje de nuevos creyentes que se levanten para servir en la Causa no puede más que aumentar. Por esta razón, el desarrollo de presentaciones de la Fe que preparen a los nuevos creyentes para servir en la Causa es un componente crítico de todo esfuerzo de enseñanza.

Debemos asegurarnos de que nuestra percepción de las personas que vienen rapidamente hacia la Fe a través del corazón sea la de individuos con capacidad para servir a Bahá’u’lláh. Ciertas almas sienten instintivamente que el llamado de Bahá’u’lláh es verdad y aceptan la Fe inmediatamente. El hecho de que estos creyentes no entren a la Fe como resultado de estudios largos e intensos no disminuye ‎en los mínimo en lo mínimo‎ su capacidad para comprender las verdades de la Fe, ni significa que se necesitará mucho tiempo antes de que sean capaces de enseñar o servir la Fe de manera significativa. Nuestras esperanzas, en los que respecta a sus contribuciones, se deben basar en nuestra fe absoluta en el poder ‎tranformador transformador‎ de Bahá’u’lláh.

Si tenemos grandes esperanzas en estos nuevos creyentes, nuestra presentación del Mensaje y la profundización inicial con ellos se hará de manera que conduzca a la compresión del papel que Bahá’u’lláh quiere que sus seguidores jueguen como miembros integrales de una comunidad universal. Una ‎profesia profecía‎ positiva y transformadora que se realiza a sí misma puede acaecer así como resultado de grandes esperanzas. Los nuevos creyentes se esforzarán para realizar sus obligaciones sagradas las cuales se les ha hecho percibir como la responsabilidad que deben llevar a cabo. Por consiguiente ellos tomarán parte activa a menudo en el trabajo de enseñanza y en otros aspectos de la vida de la comunidad bahá’í.

Claro está que los maestros deben tener cuidado de no sobrecargar a aquellos a quienes estén enseñando dándoles largas listas de reglas y de regulaciones. Sin embargo se debe mostrar a todos los creyentes nuevos la visión del futuro ofrecida por Bahá’u’lláh y se les debe hacer ver la ayuda que Bahá’u’lláh desea de ellos para ‎estabecer establecer‎ el Reino de Dios sobre la Tierra. Una vez que ellos sepan el significado de la revelación de Bahá’u’lláh, tendrán la oportunidad de decidir por si mismos como responder a este llamado. Desafortunadamente, los maestros, a través de sus propias palabras y acciones o por falta de ellas, deciden a veces por los nuevos creyentes cual será su servicio en la Causa.

Conferencias para nuevos creyentes ayudan crear Maestros de la Causa

El proceso de enseñanza no se considera completo hasta que los nuevos creyentes no sean llevados al punto de convertirse en nuestros colegas al servicio de la Causa. Un aspecto de este desarrollo es el que ellos participen activamente en el trabajo de enseñanza. Habilitar a los nuevos creyentes para que se levanten y enseñen puede lograrse de diversas maneras. Tal como lo ha indicado la Casa Universal de Justicia, una manera de liberar el potencial de los nuevos bahá’ís para la enseñanza es mediante el uso de conferencias especialmente diseñadas para los nuevos creyentes.

El Comité Nacional de Enseñanza sugiere que cada vez que una localidad haya adquirido más o menos diez adherentes, se patrocine una conferencia para nuevos creyentes a través de la Asamblea Espiritual Local o del Comité Distrital de Enseñanza en colaboración con el miembro Auxiliar. Tales conferencias se pueden diseñar con énfasis en el entrenamiento de los nuevos creyentes como maestros de la Causa.

Tales conferencias permiten que los nuevos creyentes exploren la mejor manera de la que pueden servir a la Causa. La institución que auspicia la conferencia puede indicar diversas vías de servicio que los nuevos creyentes pueden seguir tales como asistir con un proyecto de enseñanza directa o ayudar a enseñar las clases para los niños, dándoles así la oportunidad de elegir una meta para utilizar sus energías.

Se les puede pedir a los creyentes más veteranos que ayuden al montaje de la conferencia pero el punto central debe ser de compartir ideas entre los creyentes recientemente alistados. Esto servirá para atraer la participación de los nuevos bahá’ís y ayudarles a sentir que sus ‎contibuciones contribuciones‎ son valiosas. Su participación activa en la conferencia les ayudará a sentirse capaces de levantarse y servir a la Causa.

National Assembly meets with more than 400 Bahá’ís during its February meeting

In February, the National Spiritual Assembly met with about 400 of the friends from several states at the Southgate Towers Hotel in New York City.

The National Assembly was holding its regular monthly meeting in the City of the Covenant, and visitors came from as far away as California, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Texas and Vermont to greet its members.

The focus of the meeting was the Holy Year of 1992 and the Bahá’í World Congress to be held in November of that year in New York City.

Other topics included the privilege of giving to the Funds, the significance of the Fast, and the problems experienced by Bahá’í communities as they grow in numbers. [Page 19]

RACE UNITY

North Shore Bahá’ís take lead with walk through Wilmette

The Bahá’í National Race Unity Committee is soliciting articles about the activities and experiences of members of the American Bahá’í community in creating models of racial unity. The committee plans to publish a number of these articles in The American Bahá’í, and to retain them for possible inclusion in a book to be published at some future time.

The Race Unity Committee hopes that the publication of the many positive results of the community’s work for racial unity will provide inspiration, guidance and information to encourage the development of other race unity projects. All articles on this topic should include the name and address of the writer, and should be sent to: National Race Unity Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

In February 1990, four Bahá’ís from northern Illinois met to discuss their concerns about a growing incidence of racial prejudice, tension and misunderstanding they knew was occurring in that area.

They decided to call together a group of interested persons and groups to help form the North Shore Race Unity Task Force, whose goal was to create a positive model of race unity in the greater Chicago area.

Letters were sent to Bahá’í communities in the area, inviting them to send representatives to Task Force meetings. The expanded membership of the Task Force then undertook plans for a “Walk for Race Unity,” to be held in conjunction with Race Unity Day last June, and asked for and was given sponsorship by the Spiritual Assemblies of Chicago, Evanston and Wilmette.

The village of Wilmette and the city of Evanston, contacted by members of the Task Force, agreed to proclaim June 9 as Race Unity Day.

The cooperation, support and participation of city agencies and officials, service organizations, businesses, religious groups, schools and Bahá’í communities was sought, through letters and personal contact by Task Force members.

Publicity releases were sent to area news media, and posters and literature were distributed throughout the area inviting groups and individuals to take part.

Before the walk began, a 24-hour prayer vigil was held at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

On the morning of the walk, more than 500 people of diverse racial, cultural and religious backgrounds gathered in Evanston. Among the participating groups were the Evanston Human Relations Commission, Northwestern University’s Students Together Against Racism, the Evanston chapter of the NAACP, Amnesty International, Sister Cities of Wilmette, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, WEDGE (Evanston Police Department), Evanston Neighborhood Conference, Neighbors at Work, Save the Children, Skinheads Against Racism, Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, Y.O.U. (Youth Organization Umbrella), United Brothers and Sisters, Family Focus, Rally Against Drugs, student groups from Evanston and New Trier High Schools, and members of the National Spiritual Assembly, the National Race Unity Committee, and Bahá’í communities from Cook and Lake counties.

Many of the marchers wore buttons or T-shirts supporting the theme of racial unity. They walked together into Wilmette, carrying posters and banners proclaiming their belief in the oneness of humankind.

The walk ended with a devotional service at the House of Worship. Among those taking part were the Rev. Hardist Lane of Fisher Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, who is also president of the Evanston Ministerial Association, and the Rev. William Lovell, president of the North Shore Suburban Peace Initiative.

At the conclusion of the devotional program, everyone was invited to a picnic at nearby Gillson Park, where they were entertained by a racially diverse group of performers.

Following the walk, the Task Force continued to contact those businesses and groups that had expressed an interest in its work, inviting them to attend meetings and to take part in planning and carrying out activities conducive to greater racial understanding and unity.

Last December, the city of Evanston’s Police Department presented an award to the North Shore Race Unity Task Force for its help in making the seventh annual Night Out (a crime-prevention program) so successful that it resulted in the city’s receiving an award from Town Watch, the national group that sponsors Night Out.

The second activity sponsored by the North Shore Race Unity Task Force was “A Weekend for Racial Unity” February 1-3. The guest speaker was Dr. Richard Thomas, a Bahá’í who is an associate professor of history and urban affairs at Michigan State University and author of the book Racial Unity: An Imperative for Social Progress.

Dr. Thomas is also founder and president of New World Associates Inc., a consulting firm in the area of race relations and issues of diversity.

A week before the series of events, Dr. Thomas was interviewed by newsman Vernon Jarrett on his nationally-syndicated television program, “Face to Face.”

The weekend’s activities began with an address by Dr. Thomas at Northwestern University in which he summarized the ideas, research and conclusions that led to the writing of his book. About 100 people attended the talk, which was co-sponsored by Northwestern’s African American Studies Department.

A panel discussion on “Racial Unity: Models That Work” was held the following evening in Evanston. Joining Dr. Thomas and two other Bahá’ís on the panel were two non-Bahá’ís: Michael Brownstein of Chicago, a teacher and founder of RAMP (Reading and Math Program), and Edna Ross, a member of the Evanston Neighborhood Conference, co-president of the Growth and Potential Workshop at Walker School in Evanston, and chairman of the school’s Human Relations Committee.

About 80 people attended the panel discussion, and most of them stayed afterward for a discussion and reception.

The weekend’s final event, a talk by Dr. Thomas at the House of Worship entitled “An Agenda for Racial Unity and World Peace,” drew an audience of about 200, many of whom had attended the other events that weekend.

The North Shore Race Unity Task Force is now comprised of a racially diverse group of individuals representing community organizations and Bahá’ís working together to promote racial unity in the greater Chicago area.

As a result of the “Weekend for Racial Unity,” the Task Force has received a number of requests for speakers and workshops on race unity issues, and is discussing the feasibility of a “workshop weekend.”

The Task Force is also busy planning its second Walk for Race Unity, to be held June 8. All of the groups that took part in last year’s walk have already committed themselves to participate again this year, and a nearby Navy base has indicated an interest in the event and will be asking for volunteers from the base to join the 1991 Walk for Race Unity.

Bahá’ís and members of other organizations on Chicago’s North Shore march side-by-side in last June’s Race Unity Day parade in Wilmette. The event was planned and carried out by the North Shore Race Unity Task Force.

Media Task Force for 1992 Bahá’í World Congress to host conferences in Los Angeles, New York City

The Media Task Force for the Bahá’í World Congress is hosting two conferences for Bahá’ís who have professional experience in journalism, television reporting or production, radio news or production, public relations, film or video production, advertising, or photo-journalism.

The conferences will be held May 18-19 at the Bahá’í Center in Los Angeles, and June 22-23 at the offices of the Bahá’í International Community in New York City.

Registration for the weekend-long events will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday; sessions will begin at 10 a.m. with the conferences ending at 5 p.m. Sunday. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to notify the Task Force in advance. Media professionals from around the world are invited to attend.

The Media Task Force recognizes that many Bahá’ís have professional experience in these fields and that such expertise will be invaluable to the international Bahá’í community in its efforts to attract the attention of major news media to the Bahá’í World Congress.

The Media Task Force will help the National Spiritual Assemblies plan contacts with news media and will coordinate media relations at the World Congress.

Bahá’ís who are media professionals are also asked to send résumés and samples of their work to: Bahá’í World Congress Media Task Force, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017. [Page 20]تسطیحات زمین‌های طبقات تحتانی مقام حضرت نقطه اولی و خاک‌برداری ساختمان مرکز مطالعهٔ نصوص و الواح و بنای ضمیمهٔ دارالآثار شروع می‌شود و بدین ترتیب مرحلهٔ جدیدی از ارتفاع این مشروعات فخیمه مقتدره بر جبل ربّ آغاز می‌گردد.

خاتمهٔ نقشهٔ شش‌ساله مقارن با آغاز سال مقدس ۱۹۹۲-۱۹۹۳ است که به مدت یک سال به پیروان اسم اعظم فرصت می‌دهد تا به نحوی شایسته به تکریم و تخلید صدمین سال صعود حضرت بهاءالله و افتتاح دوران عهد و میثاقش که کافل وحدت عالم بشر است بپردازند. چنانچه قبلاً اعلان شده است برای این منظور مراسم مهم و شایسته‌ای ترتیب داده شده تا صفات ممیزه و اهمیت خطیر این دو واقعهٔ مهم را منعکس سازند.

اول: اجتماع نمایندگان عالم بهائی به اتفاق فارسان امر حضرت بهاءالله در بهجی در جوار قصر یعنی محل صعود روح حضرت بهاءالله در عالم ادنی و استقرارش بر سریر سلطنت ملکوتی، و در حول روضهٔ مبارکه که در مدخل آن لوحهٔ افتخار شامل اسامی فارسان امر حضرت بهاءالله قرار داده خواهد شد تا نشانه‌ای از اجابت عشّاق جمالش به دعوت آن حضرت برای انتشار تعالیمش در سراسر کره زمین باشد. اجتماع مزبور در بهجی به تلاوت ادعیه و مناجات خواهند پرداخت. مجموعهٔ آیات و ادعیه‌ای که در مراسم مزبور زیارت خواهد شد عنقریب جهت عموم جوامع بهائی ارسال می‌گردد تا در مراسم تکریم و تجلیلی که ترتیب خواهند داد تلاوت شود و سبب حصول وحدت در احساسات روحانیّه دوستان در مراسم تعظیم و تکریم یکصدمین سال صعود حضرت بهاءالله در سراسر عالم گردد.

ثانی: کنگره جهانی است که قرار است از ۲۲ تا ۲۶ نوامبر ۱۹۹۲ در شهر نیویورک برگزار شود، شهری که در آن حضرت عبدالبهاء مقام خود را بعنوان مرکز منصوص عهد و میثاق حضرت بهاءالله آشکار و تبیین فرمودند و شهر نیویورک را "مدینهٔ میثاق" لقب دادند. در سراسر عالم نیز جوامع بهائی مراسم شایسته‌ای ترتیب خواهند داد تا مقصد کنگره جهانی را که تکریم قرن افتتاح دوران عهد و میثاق حضرت بهاءالله و اعلان مقصد و نیروی وحدت‌بخش امر مبارک است به جهانیان عرضه دارند. همزمان با این اقدامات بیانیه‌ای دربارهٔ حضرت بهاءالله که بنا بر تصمیم بیت‌العدل اعظم توسط اداره اطلاعات عمومی در مرکز جهانی تهیه شده است به میزانی وسیع منتشر و توزیع خواهد شد. این بیانیه هم منبعی برای مطالعه و اخذ الهام برای احبّاء خواهد بود و هم منشوری است که به عموم مردم ارائه خواهد گردید. به کمک این اقدامات و مجهودات دیگر جامعهٔ ستایش‌ندگان اسم اعظم خواهند کوشید تا نام مبارک حضرت بهاءالله را در سراسر عالم منتشر سازند و صیت عظمت جمال قدم را به سمع جهانیان رسانند.

همزمان بدون استثنائی اقدامات برجسته‌ای چون انتشار "کتاب مستطاب اقدس" و پیشرفت ساختمان ابنیه جبل کرمل و اختتام نقشهٔ شش‌ساله و آغاز سال مقدس روحی تازه به آمال اهل بهاء می‌بخشد، زمینه را برای مجهوداتی به مراتب عظیم‌تر از آنچه تا بحال معمول گردیده آماده می‌سازد و ما را به آغاز دوره‌ای جدید در تاریخ امر مبارک متذکر می‌دارد. حکم مقدسی که اجرای آن از نظر خصوصی و وجدانی هر نفسی را به موهبت فداکاری در ساحت ربّ مجید قادر می‌سازد و از نظر عمومی مصالح جامعه را ترویج می‌دهد و تبعیت از آن هر فرد بهائی را با مؤسسهٔ مرکزی امرالله مرتبط می‌نماید و بالاتر از همه حکم تبرّعی که اطاعت از آن شمول برکات لانتایه و الطاف لاتحصای الهی را برای افراد مؤمن و عامل به احکام الهیه تضمین می‌کند شایسته آن است که در چنین موقع مناسبی مورد استقبال عموم دوستانی که ایمان خود را به مظهر ظهور الهی ابراز می‌دارند قرار گیرد. این است که با اظهار خضوع و خشوع به ساحت قدس الهی اعلام می‌داریم که از رضوان ۱۹۹۲ یعنی آغاز سال مقدس حکم حقوق‌الله به طور عمومی و بین‌المللی قابل اجراست و همهٔ یاران الهی را با کمال محبت به اجرای این حکم دعوت می‌نمائیم.

خواهران و برادران بسیار عزیز، ملاحظه نمائید چگونه حضرت محبوب رجای این عباد را اجابت فرموده و چگونه با دخول خواهران و برادران جدید و تأسیس مشروعات بدیع در سرزمین‌هایی که تا کنون بر روی کلام شفابخش الهی مسدود بود حیات روحانی ما را غنی و پر برکت ساخته و با چه قدرت و اقتداری تعالیم ربانیه‌اش بعنوان راهنمای اقدامات ملل بزرگ و کوچک مورد تصدیق و تثبیت قرار گرفته و می‌گیرد. یقیناً این عنایات لانتایه به آن عزیزان جرأت و شهامتی شکست‌ناپذیر می‌دهد و اطمینان می‌بخشد تا برای مواجهه با آینده‌ای درخشان اما پرتلاش آماده شوند و فی‌الحقیقه این سال فرخنده را با احساس آمادگی برای پیروزی نهائی نقشهٔ شش‌ساله آغاز نمایند.

باشد که شما عزیزان با اقدامات خالصانه خود به آستان مقدس الهی همچنان به مراحم و الطاف لانتایه‌اش برکت بی اندازه یابید.

بیت‌العدل اعظم

دفاع از حقوق بهائیان ایران

DEFENSE OF IRANIAN BAHI’S

کمیسیون امور خارجی مربوط به "حقوق بشر و سازمان‌های بین‌المللی" مجلس نمایندگان و کمیسیون روابط خارجی مجلس سنای ایالات متحده به ترتیب در روزهای ۲۶ و ۲۸ فوریه امسال جلساتی در ارتباط با گزارش وزارت امور خارجه آمریکا درباره "اوضاع حقوق بشر در سال ۱۹۹۰" ترتیب دادند. در هر دو جلسه وضع احبای ایران مورد ملاحظه قرار گرفت.

ریچارد شیفتر Richard Schifter معاون "اداره حقوق بشر و امور انسانی" وزارت امور خارجه در ضمن شهادت خود در برابر کمیسیون مجلس نمایندگان اظهار داشت: "شدت آزار نسبت به افراد بهائی کاهش یافته است... اما واقعیت امر این است که جامعه بهائی هنوز مورد آزار واقع است."

وزارت امور خارجه ایالات متحده در گزارش خود مربوط به وضع حقوق بشر در ایران در سال ۱۹۹۰ خاطرنشان ساخته که جامعه بهائی ایران همچنان دچار تبعیضات است. به دنبال روند چند سال گذشته از آزار و ستم نسبت به افراد بهائی کاسته شده و کسی اعدام نشده است و کمتر از ۱۰ نفر از بهائیان در زندان به سر می‌برند.

اما در همین گزارش آمده که هنوز جامعه بهائی از انجام فعالیت‌های دینی و انتخاب رهبران خود ممنوع است.

جان پورتر John Porter نماینده ایالت ایلینوی در پایان شهادت خود در کمیسیون روابط خارجی مجلس سنا اظهار داشت که بهبود وضع بهائیان ایران نشان می‌دهد که وقتی ایالات متحده و جامعه جهانی موضع معینی در قبال حقوق بشر اتخاذ کنند ایجاد تغییرات میسر می‌شود.

آقای پورتر در بیانات کتبی خود گفت: "هر چند این تغییرات مایه دلگرمی است، اما کنگره آمریکا به همراه ریاست جمهوری باید وضع بهائیان را از نزدیک مورد نظر داشته باشند و اطمینان حاصل نمایند که آنان از حقوق و آزادی‌های اولیه در ایران و سایر نقاط جهان برخوردار باشند."

محفل روحانی ملی در بیانیه‌ای که به رسانه‌های خبری و اولیای دولتی فرستاد، اظهار نمود: "هر چند که از بهبود وضع افراد بهائی خشنودیم، با این حال از دولت ایران خواستاریم که جامعه بهائی ایران را آزاد گرداند و حقوق اولیه افراد بهائی را مطابق قوانین بین‌المللی بدانان اعطاء نماید."

"فَيَا مَرْحَبًا هَذَا عَبْدُالبَهآءِ قَدْ ظَهَرَ بِسُلْطَانٍ عَظِيمٍ"

فرا رسیدن عید اعظم رضوان را به دوستان عزیز تبریک می‌گوئیم.

بزرگداشت حضرت طاهره

TRIBUTE TO TAHIRIH

جامعه بهائی لوس آنجلس در تاریخ ۲ فوریه سال جاری به موفقیت بزرگی دست یافت. در روز مذکور جناب طاهره شیرزن تاریخی ایران، یکی از حروف حیّ، شاعره و نابغه قرن نوزدهم که به دلیل پیوستن به آئین حضرت باب شهید شد، مورد تجلیل قرار گرفت.

بدین ترتیب ایرانیان پس از گذشت ۱۳۸ سال اندکی از دینی را که نسبت به این بانوئی بزرگ بر عهده دارند، اداء کردند.

لجنه وسائل ارتباط جمعی فارسی‌زبان چندین ماه برای تدارک بزرگداشت طاهره صرف وقت کرده بود تا به این مهم دست یابد. مراسم بزرگداشت به این نشان که طاهره متعلق به همه ایرانیان است در دانشگاه یو سی ال ای برگزار شد.

سه سخنرانی، یک نمایش، یک برنامه شعرخوانی به همراه موسیقی و یک کنسرت پیانو و آواز عناصر اصلی این برنامه بزرگداشت را تشکیل می‌داد. سه دانشمند برجسته، یک بازیگر تأتر و سینما، یک گوینده رادیو، یک نوازنده سنتور، يك نوازنده تنبک، يك خواننده موسیقی سنتی و يك آهنگساز و نوازنده پیانو به مدد گردانندگان برنامه و گروه دستیاران پشت صحنه کاری درخشان و به یادماندنی ارائه دادند که صحبتش هنوز اینجا و آنجا شنیده می‌شود.

بهائیان و غیربهائیان به اعتبار شخصیت بی‌نظیر طاهره دست در دست هم چنان خود را وقف موفقیت این برنامه کردند که گوئی در این بزرگداشت روح بزرگ طاهره راهنمای آنان بوده است.

یکی از سخنرانان این جلسه در ضمن بیانات خود گفت: "سرمشقی که او برای زنان دادخواه و پوینده و آزادکننده جهان گذاشت، هر چند در کشور خودش زیر ابرهای تیره جعل و تعصب مانده است، ولی از نظر زنان و مردان برجسته عالم دور نمانده است."

سخنران دیگری چنین اظهار کرد: "در عرصه سخن و صدا و ادب قرةالعین جای جدیدی برای زن ایرانی باز کرد. او حضور را بجای غیاب، فصاحت را بجای سکوت، تعارض را بجای تسلیم، تحرک را بجای سکون، و هویت زنانه را بجای بی‌چهرگی نشاند. با قرة العین زن دیگر غایب نیست و حضور دارد. ساکت نیست و گویان است. راز نیست و رازگوست. هم ملهم است و هم الهام‌گیرنده، هم شنونده است و هم گوینده، هم ناظر است و هم منظور، هم شاهد است و هم مشهود."

انجمن ادب و فرهنگ ایرانی

PERSIAN ARTS AND CULTURE CONFERENCE

انجمن ادب و فرهنگ ایرانی در مدرسه بهائی لوهلن از ۱۸ تا ۲۱ جولای ۱۹۹۱ ‎بر گزار برگزار‎ خواهد گردید. از عموم یاران عزیز دعوت می‌شود که در این انجمن که در نوع خود بی‌سابقه است شرکت فرمایند و از برنامه‌های متنوع موسیقی اصیل و شعر و خطابه بهره برند. جمعی از هنرمندان و سخنوران بهائی چون خانم دکتر طلعت بصاری و جناب دکتر حشمت مؤید و جناب دکتر علی توانگر در برنامه انجمن شرکت خواهند فرمود. علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند با تلفن ۳۱۳/۶۵۳۵۰۳۳ تماس حاصل فرمایند. [Page 21]

پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی

MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

ترجمه

پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم خطاب به پیروان اسم اعظم در سراسر عالم رضوان ۱۹۹۱

یاران عزیز الهی،

در قبال الطاف لانهایه‌ای که جمال اقدس ابهی به جامعه عالمگیر بهائی و مرکز جهانی امر عظیمش در سال گذشته ارزانی داشته کدام لسان عنصری قادر به اظهار شکرانه و سپاس است؟ ما را جز این نمی‌رسد که در برابر شواهد و آثار شگفت‌انگیز فیوضات مداوم و اقتدار تبرّز جمال قدم جلّ اسمه الاعظم با کمال خضوع و خشوع سر تعظیم فرود آریم.

مخاطرات عظیمی که در نیمه اخیر سال گذشته در اثر آشوب خاورمیانه ارض اقدس را در بر گرفت، بدون آنکه سبب توقف و یا حتی ایجاد موانع جدی در ادامه امور جاری امر شود، به تخفیف و تحلیل گرائید. این حوادث تذکاری تلخ از تضادی بود که بین نظام حضرت بهاءالله که پیوسته و بلامانع در تقدم و پیشرفت و مایهٔ وحدت و یگانگی است با آشفتگی و تلاطم عصر انتقال وجود دارد. عصری که به فرمودهٔ صریح حضرت ولی‌امرالله "آفت و اغتشاشاتش علامت و پیش‌درآمد آن دورهٔ پربرکت و سعادتی قلمداد می‌گردد که در آن مقصد ‎فائی غایی‎ الهی برای ابناء بشری تجسم و تحقق خواهد یافت (ترجمه). حوادث اخیر نمونه دیگری از "منکرات موت تمدنی را اعلام می‌نماید که در شُرُف تلاشی و اضمحلال است و در عین حال بر تولد نظم جهان‌آرائی دلالت می‌نماید که سفینه نجات بشری است و ناگزیر بر خرابه‌های عالم مستقر خواهد شد (ترجمه).

قوائی که موجب توحید اقدامات چاره‌جویانهٔ تعداد کثیری از ملل در مقابله با بحران ناگهانی در این منطقه گردید بدون ادنی شک و تردید لزوم اصل امنیت دسته‌جمعی را که حضرت بهاءالله متجاوز از يك قرن قبل بعنوان وسیلهٔ حل مناقشات توصیه فرموده بودند واضح و نمایان ساخت. گر چه هنوز بسیاری از ترتیبات بین‌المللی که حضرت بهاءالله برای اجرای کامل این اصل پیش‌بینی نموده‌اند مورد قبول و اجرای فرمانروایان عالم واقع نگردیده ولیکن قدمی بلند به سوی روشی برداشته شده که مالك قَدَر برای بشر تعیین فرموده است. چه هدایت‌بخش است این کلمات حضرت بهاءالله که نحوهٔ تجدید حیات ملل عالم را پیش‌بینی نموده و می‌فرمایند: "أن اتّحدوا يا معشر الملوك به تسکن رياح الاختلاف بينكم و تستريح الرّعیّة و مَن حولکم إن انتم من العارفين ان قام احدٌ منكم على الآخر قوموا عليه ان هذا الّا عدل مبين..."

در حقیقت به هر سو که بنگریم مشاهده می‌کنیم که ید قدرت جمال قدم در عالم فعّال و در کار است. در دعوت برای ایجاد نظم جدید جهانی که تکیه‌کلام پیشوایان سیاسی و متفکران صاحب نفوذ شده، حتی در مواردی که خود قادر به تعریف معنای آنچه می‌گویند نیستند، می‌توان تشخیص داد که چگونه به تدریج عالم انسانی از خواب غفلت بیدار و به مقصد اصلی ظهور امر الهی متوجه می‌گردد. این نکته که دعوت به نظم جهانی را رئیس دولت کشوری نصیرانه تکرار می‌کند که طبق بیان مبارك حضرت عبدالبهاء مقدّر است "اوّلین ملّت و جمعیتی باشد که اساس اتّفاق و آشتی بین‌الملل را بنیان خواهد نهاد" و "جميع ملل را از لحاظ روحانی رهبری خواهد کرد" حاکی از تأثیر و تسریع دو تحول همزمانی است که یکی در داخل امر و دیگری در خارج آن تحقق خواهد یافت و مقدّر است که به فرمودهٔ حضرت ولی‌امرالله "به سرانجام واحد درخشانی" منتهی شود.

در داخل جامعه بهائی نشانه‌ها و مظاهر موفقیت‌های اعجاب‌انگیز در جریان نقشه شش‌ساله فراوان است، انتصاراتی که حتی بعضی از آنها در ابتدای نقشه پیش‌بینی نشده بود. نمونه‌های بارزی از این موفقیت‌ها را می‌توان در دنباله تغییرات شگرفی مشاهده نمود که در اتحاد جماهیر شوروی و کشورهای مجاوره روی می‌دهد. فقط يك سال پس از تشکیل مجدّد محفل روحانی محلی مسکو، اکنون محفل روحانی ملی اتحاد جماهیر شوروی تشکیل می‌گردد. همچنین اندکی متجاوز از يك سال پس از تغییراتی که در اثر انقلابات سیاسی در رومانی روی داد، دولت رومانی امر بهائی را به عنوان جامعه‌ای دینی که مجاز است تعالیم حضرت بهاءالله را منتشر و تبلیغ کند به رسمیت شناخته است. در رومانی نیز قرار است در این رضوان محفل روحانی ملی تأسیس گردد. توسعه سریع امر در چکسلواکی نیز سبب شد که در همین هفته‌های اخیر برای تأسیس محفل روحانی ملی در این کشور اتخاذ تصمیم گردد. مقارن این اوقات همچنین در منطقه کارائیب در اثر تقسیم مجمع‌الجزائر لیوارد به دو واحد اداری منطقه‌ای محفل روحانی ملی جدیدی در جزائر لیوارد غربی تشکیل خواهد شد. با تشکیل خجسته این چهار محفل روحانی ملی جدید عدد محافل روحانیه ملی به ۱۵۵ محفل بالغ می‌گردد.

به کمال خوشوقتی اعلام می‌داریم که سه تن از حضرات ایادی امرالله به نمایندگی بیت‌العدل اعظم در این رویدادهای تاریخی شرکت خواهند نمود. حضرت اَمَةُ‌البهاء روحیّه خانم در رومانی، جناب علی اکبر فروتن در اتحاد جماهیر شوروی و جناب دکتر علی‌محمد ورقاء در چکسلواکی. ضمناً امة‌الله روث برین کل عضو هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای در آمریکا نیز به نمایندگی معهد اعلی در جزائر لیوارد غربی شرکت خواهند نمود.

مورد دیگری از ظهور و بروز اقتدار امر حضرت بهاءالله در انظار و اذهان عمومی در کشور آلمان جلوه نموده است. بدین ترتیب که محکمه فدرال که متصدی رسیدگی به مسائل مربوط به قانون اساسی می‌باشد و عالی‌ترین مرجع قضائی در آن کشور است قراری صادر نمود که حائز اهمیتی شایان در شناسائی امر حضرت رحمن است. به این دلیل که در نظامنامه محافل محلی اختیاراتی خاص به محفل روحانی ملی تفویض گردیده و این امر مباین اصل حقوقی خودمختاری انجمن‌هائی است که رسماً ثبت می‌شوند، محاکم مقتضائی از صدور اجازه ثبت نظامنامه یکی از محافل روحانی محلی امتناع ورزیده بودند. مباحثی که در این میان مطرح بود بسیار پیچیده و شرح و بسط آنها خارج از حوصله این مقال است. فقط کافی است که متذکر شویم که محکمه فدرال مزبور استیناف محفل روحانی را تأیید کرد و در رأی مفصّل و کاملاً مستدلی که صادر نمود از جمله حق جامعه بهائی را برای احراز شخصیت حقوقی به همان نحوی که در نصوص مبارکه بهائی مقرّر گردیده تثبیت نمود و تصریح کرد که خصوصیات ذاتی و شهرت اجتماعی امر بهائی و شهادت دانشمندان و محققان رشته ادیان تطبیقی هویت امر بهائی را به طور قطع و بدون تردید بعنوان دیانتی رسمی ثابت و مدلل می‌سازد. این رأی در نظر محکمه فدرال چنان حائز اهمیت بود که محکمه مزبور خود به نحوی استثنائی بیانیه‌ای در شرح این تصمیم صادر و آن را در اختیار جراید و وسائل خبری قرار داد. فایده و اثر این رأی بسیار مهم برای جامعه بهائی از حدود و ثغور کشور آلمان که اخیراً متحد شده است به مراتب فراتر می‌رود.

شاهد دیگری که تقدیر روزافزون عامهٔ مردم را از چشم‌انداز وسیع امرالله نمایان می‌سازد واقعه‌ای است که در جمهوری آفریقای جنوبی روی داده است. محفل روحانی ملی در کشور مزبور با اغتنام فرصت از ابتکار دولت برای حل مسأله تبعیض نژادی (آپارتاید) که چندین دهه ادامه داشته، تصمیم گرفت نظریات پیشنهادی خود را در زمینه تهیهٔ پیش‌نویس قانون اساسی جدید تسلیم اولیاء امور نماید. رئیس کمیسیون قوانین کشور آفریقای جنوبی، یعنی يك نفر از قضات که قائم‌مقام دولت در کمیسیون مزبور است و بیانیه پیشنهادی محفل روحانی ملی را از هیئت نمایندگی محفل مزبور دریافت داشته اظهار نمود که تاکنون بهائیان تنها گروهی هستند که اساس و مبانی روحانی و اخلاقی برای قانون اساسی کشور پیشنهاد نموده‌اند.

دعوت از نماینده جامعه بین‌المللی بهائی به عنوان تنها ناطق غیربودائی برای ایراد سخنرانی در جلسه عمومی که همراه با کنفرانس صلح بودائیان آسیا در مغولستان تشکیل شده بود، ذکر نام بهائیان به نحو احسن توسط پاپ ژان پل دوم در مهمانی رسمی در ضمن دیدار مشارُ‌الیه از کشور بوروندی، ثبت رسمی امر بهائی به عنوان یکی از ادیان عمومی در توالو و بالاخره ترتیب دادن نمایشگاه بین‌المللی تعلیم و تربیت برای صلح توسط محفل روحانی ملی برزیل با مشارکت ۲۳ سفارتخانه و مؤسسه آموزشی این نکته را مبرهن می‌سازد که این وقایع، صرف نظر از نتایج اختصاصی، متضمن تأثیراتی عمومی در اطراف و اکناف جهان است که من حیث‌المجموع خروج امر الهی را از مرحلهٔ مجهولیت ثابت و مدلل می‌سازد. این قبیل نشانه‌ها که حاکی از شناسائی عمومی خصوصیات واقعی قوای مکنونهٔ وسیع جامعه بهائی است از مشخصات بارز پیشرفت امر در چهارمین عهد عصر تکوین است.

ملاحظهٔ تحقق این همه آثار و توفیقات شگفت‌انگیز ناچار ما را وادار می‌سازد که مراتب محبت و تحسین عمیق خود را به مشاورین قاره‌ای و اعضای هیئت‌های معاونت ابراز داریم، چه آنان همواره مشوق و پشتیبان مساعی و مجهوداتی بوده‌اند که سبب حصول موفقیت‌های عظیمه‌ای که از پیش بدانها اشاره شد گشته‌اند. خدمات این نفوس مخصوصاً محرک اقدامات مجدانه و مؤثر تبلیغی یاران، که فی‌الحقیقه رکن اساسی چنین موفقیت‌های جامعه محسوب می‌باشند، شود. شور و شوقی که هیئت‌های مشاورین در آغاز دوره جدید خدمات خود در عالم بهائی به وجود آورده‌اند سبب سرور موفور و دلگرمی زائد‌الوصف است. اقدامات جدید و ابتکاراتی که هیئت‌های مشاورین با تشویق صمیمانه و پشتیبانی شایان عصبة جلیلهٔ دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی قوای خود را خصوص در اجرای آن ساخته‌اند، نشانه خوش‌آیندی است که نقشه شش‌ساله به نحوی رضایت‌بخش به انجام خواهد رسید. امید چنانست که مجهودات هیئت‌های مشاورین که با افزایش ۹۰ عضو بر اعضاء هیئت‌های معاونت تعدادشان از یوم میثاق سال جاری به ۸۴۶ نفر خواهد رسید بیش از پیش تقویت و توسعه یابد. یقین است جامعه جهانی بهائی از این اقدام که سبب تقویت کیفیت و توسعه نطاق وظائف روحانی اعضای هیئت‌های معاونت و مساعدینشان می‌گردد استقبال خواهند کرد زیرا اقدامات اعضای هیئت‌های معاونت و مساعدین آنان در جوامع محلی ضامن توسعه و تحکیم مستمر امر جلیل الهی است.

پیشرفت شکوهمند نقشه شش‌ساله مایهٔ مسرت خاطر و سبب مزید امیدواری است. از این نقشه بیش از يك سال باقی نمانده و تا بحال اقدامات بسیار سهمی در سبیل حصول اهداف هفتگانه اصلی آن انجام گرفته است. جامعه بهائی در مقایسه با ابتدای نقشه در سال ۱۹۸۶ به نحوی بسیار مؤثر تغییر و تحول یافته و توسعه و پیشرفتی عظیم حاصل نموده است به طوری که اکنون تنوّع و تحرّك و تشخص بیشتری را حائز است و حال که سال نهائی نقشه شش‌ساله آغاز می‌گردد چشم‌اندازی شورانگیز در افق انتظار نمایان است.

تهیّه ترجمه و حواشی و تعلیقات "کتاب مستطاب اقدس" که کتاب احکام و ام‌الکتاب امر حضرت بهاءالله محسوب است پایان می‌یابد، اقدام خطیری که به تنهائی دورهٔ جدیدی را در سیر بلوغ و تکامل عالم بهائی آغاز می‌کند و موفقیت‌های نقشه شش‌ساله را به اکلیلی جلیل متوّج می‌سازد. [Page 22]

Sponsoring refugees: for Bahá’ís, truly a labor of love

The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office is pleased to share part of a letter that it received recently from Ms. Jacqueline Osborne of Florence, Alabama, about her experiences as a sponsor of two Vietnamese Bahá’í youth who came as refugees to America:

My husband and I had sponsored Vietnamese before, who were not Bahá’ís, as well as some Hmong, beginning about 10 years ago. In our experience, the typical pattern was for them to arrive and say “thank you” and then get right on a plane to California, or get in touch with relatives elsewhere, and off they would go. I think that I was really expecting that to happen again. Our first surprise was that the Bahá’í refugees seemed to feel that they belonged to us, and were willing to stay! I think that shows how much they do trust the Bahá’ís. It also caused me a few moments of panic at the beginning (you mean you’re actually staying?) since, as I said, I had at least unconsciously expected the same pattern of “hello and good-bye, we have plans.”

I had written to Tuyen before he arrived, and he had written to me, and sent a picture. I know that he knew a little English, as they study that for six months before they come over. The reality is, however, that the Vietnamese accent is quite different, and the second big surprise, which was theirs, was that they got off the airplane and could not understand a word that I said to them. Oh my. In our area, there are very few Vietnamese, and it was not possible to find someone who knew the language to go with me to the plane. As a result, they could not know if they were to stay with me, or if something else was going to happen to them, or what. Imagine the insecurity!! Luckily, I found a translator within a few days, and she was able to set their minds at rest that they were staying, since they wished to do so, and that I would take care of them until they got settled.

SPONSORS NEEDED There is an ongoing need for sponsors of Bahá’í refugees. Sponsorship Information Packets are available free upon request from the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Telephone: 708-869-9039, ext. 217; Fax: 708-869-0247, attn: USBRO.

One important thing that I discovered about the language pretty quickly was that we could communicate by spelling, because they did actually know some English thanks to the refugee camp, but could not speak as well as they could read and write it. This is important information for anyone else who might undertake to do this.

As soon as it was settled that they were staying, I looked through the papers that they had brought with them. They arrived with a physical (it noted that they were anemic—the only physical problem picked up by the exam) and with interview notes that gave some clues about family background and work experience. The Vietnamese we have worked with before have been relatively sophisticated, urbanized people. These two young men, however, were rural, from a fishing village. They had spent some time in Hong Kong, and had done various kinds of work there, but their education was limited (7 and 8 years, respectively) and they were quite unsophisticated (they could not understand why I put my dirty dishes away in the cupboard because they had no experience of electric dishwashers). The food was a problem, as Vietnamese cuisine is quite different from American. The only solution to this was to let them cook their own, which has worked quite well.

After some few days of resting and getting settled, we got started on the Health Dept. (shots) and Employment Office. Here the guiding hand of Bahá’u’lláh and the shadow of His love and protection were quite evident from the beginning. I know it was Bahá’u’lláh who sent the young woman to my door at work to mention that she was looking for kitchen help for her restaurant. Two weeks after they arrived, they were working! And the restaurant is owned and run by wonderful people, who have really cared and looked out for them.

These two young men who are with us are 21 and 22 years old. They are most fortunate to be young and have no dependents, as this has made it possible for them to work part-time and go to school to learn the English that they need. They are presently enrolled in English as a Second Language classes and are beginning to work on their high school curriculum through adult

‘... the guiding hand of Bahá’u’lláh and the shadow of His love and protection were quite evident from the beginning.’

basic education classes. Accomplishing these two things will help assure them of a productive future in the U.S.

The next most pressing requirement for them is to learn to drive. This is quite an adventure. For rural Vietnamese such as they, there is no guarantee that they have ever sat in the front seat of a car before, and therefore many of the time and motion and distance perceptions that our children learn through observation from earliest childhood have to be learned through great effort by these people. We still haven’t got that problem solved, but are making progress. One of the young men has his learner’s permit now, and is practicing with my car (with my brave husband and lots of prayers for protection).

All of the above should indicate that this is a very intensive, time-consuming project. There is simply no escape from that reality, if it is to be done well. Part of the reason is because there are simply so many things to be done, from teaching them about the culture to watching over their health and welfare as they adjust. A large part of the burden, frankly, comes from the fact that the Vietnamese are very sociable people, with very extended “sticky” families. In our experience, they do not understand being left alone to cope on their own, and they do not fare well when they feel bereft of the web of family structure. One of our young men was completely bewildered and sullen until we had some traumatic events that demonstrated that we cared for him and that we expected to treat him and be treated as family. Once he understood that we were extending that relationship to him he brightened up and began to thrive. It is entirely believable to me, as I have heard, that a Bahá’í refugee might arrive in a community and feel isolated and fall into despair. Isolation is truly deprivation to them.

The Bahá’í community can be a great asset. Our community members took turns having the boys over to dinner during their first week here (I have to confess that I twisted their arm, as I had to be out of town) which broke the ice. The Bahá’ís have made them feel welcome and acquainted, even when it was very hard with the language at first.

Trinh and Tuyen, on their part, came with one tiny suitcase between them. Out of this one suitcase came all of the clothes that they owned (which they have always assured me was certainly a sufficient number while I have been forcing sweaters and socks on them) as well as framed pictures of family members, large English-Vietnamese dictionaries, a picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and books on Bahá’í administration! How wonderful!! Like many other refugees, they apparently became Bahá’ís while they were in Hong Kong. They are wonderful Bahá’ís. We are truly blessed to have them here.

Within a few weeks it became clear that Trinh had some problem with hearing. On investigation, it became clear that he had no eardrums, and was thus almost deaf. Further experiences have revealed that he is also blind in one eye. Whether these handicaps are a result of trauma in the war or trauma at the hands of Communist soldiers when he was trying to escape the country, or from some other cause, it is apparent that he has some special needs that were not picked up by the immigration doctors. The two of them are also likely to need extensive dental work, as dentists are practically non-existent in the land of their youth. I mention these things because it would be important for anyone else doing this to know that these problems can exist, and they need to be alert for signs of difficulty. Trinh himself had no idea that he couldn’t see from one eye. He had no idea that the reason he kept falling off the bicycle and had such excruciating ear aches was because he had the problem with his ears. I have to say again that Bahá’u’lláh’s protection and blessings on these people are truly awesome, since Trinh came to the one state in the union that will actually take care of his problems and help him overcome these disabilities. Again, every door has opened.

Finally, I would like to stress what the refugees have done for our community. First, they have strengthened us numerically, and added greatly to our diversity. They have also given the Assembly as well as various individuals various opportunities to be of real benefit to their fellow man, by assisting with transportation, medical problems, housing, etc. The children of the community benefit greatly by an opportunity to interact with someone from another culture (and they LOVE the children, and are wonderful with them).

This is a lot of work. Having been through it once, would we do it again? In a heartbeat.

To help commemorate the Hmong New Year in January, the National Spiritual Assembly contributed funds toward educational scholarships for two Southeast Asian Bahá’í youth in Tulare, Ca: Miss See Xiong (holding the Greatest Name) and Miss Yeng Xiong (second from right). Also shown in the above photo of the Xiong family is Mrs. Mitra Lyons of Visalia (second from left) who teaches a Bahá’í children’s class in the community.

American Indian Bahá’í speaker at Unitarian church in Davis, California

John Pappen, an American Indian Bahá’í who is attending college in Davis, California, was the speaker at a recent Sunday morning forum at the Unitarian Church in Davis. More than 50 non-Bahá’ís were present.

Mr. Pappen spoke about the Black Hills of South Dakota, recognized by some American Indians as the spiritual heart of the United States.

He chanted a song, “O Cedar Tree,” accompanied by his own hand-held drum, and spoke about human rights and how we must all respect the differences among peoples.

On March 1, the Bahá’í community of Davis leased the Unitarian Church for its annual Ayyám-i-Há party.

Bahá’ís in San Jose mark opening of Regional Center

The Bahá’ís of San Jose, California, celebrated the recent opening of their Regional Bahá’í Center with a two-day grand opening March 16-17.

The Center, in the business district of Willow Glen, serves as a Bahá’í teaching and meeting place. The grand opening enabled the friends to personally invite area business people and the public to visit the Center and meet the Bahá’ís.

The Regional Center is supported by a number of South Bay Bahá’í communities, coordinated by Metro 1000, a steering committee of the Spiritual Assembly of San Jose.

TEACH PEACE

[Page 23]

Perspective

(from page 5)

Bahá’í world—will attain its final consummation, in the Golden Age of the Faith, through the raising of the standard of the Most Great Peace, and the emergence, in the plenitude of its power and glory, of the focal Center of the agencies constituting the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The final establishment of this seat of the future Bahá’í World Commonwealth will signalize at once the proclamation of the sovereignty of the Founder of our Faith and the advent of the Kingdom of the Father repeatedly lauded and promised by Jesus Christ.” (Messages to the Bahá’í World, pages 74-75)

Every Bahá’í wishes to see these promises fulfilled. The question posed by our correspondent, however, speaks to the matter of the price we ourselves are willing to pay in order to do our part. This is the issue of sacrifice. Here is what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said about Haji Mirza Muhammad-Taqi, the Afnan, who was the builder of the first House of Worship, in Ishqábád:

“...he thus became the first individual to erect a Bahá’í House of Worship, the first builder of a House to unify man. With the believers in Ishqábád assisting him, he succeeded in carrying off the palm. For a long period in Ishqábád, he had no rest. Day and night, he urged the believers on. Then they too exerted their efforts, and made sacrifices above and beyond their power; and God’s edifice arose, and word of it spread throughout East and West. The Afnan expended everything he possessed to rear this building, except for a trifling sum. This is the way to make a sacrifice. This is what it means to be faithful.” (Memorials of the Faithful, page 128)

Sacrifice of this sort is risky; the idea of giving away everything one possesses is profoundly disturbing, even frightening. Yet it is through dealing with such fear that heroism is born. One definition of heroism is that the hero transforms and consecrates his fear into constructive action.

In a wonderful passage in her book about the Guardian, The Priceless Pearl, the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum talks about the balance between devotion of heroic proportions, on one hand, and moderation on the other. While we are urged to show moderation in all things, she points out that there is nothing moderate in Bahá’u’lláh’s call to martyrdom, as for example in these passages:

O SON OF BEING! Seek a martyr’s death in My path, content with My pleasure and thankful for that which I ordain, that thou mayest repose with Me beneath the canopy of majesty behind the tabernacle of glory.

O SON OF MAN! Ponder and reflect. Is it thy wish to die upon thy bed, or to shed thy life-blood on the dust, a martyr in My path, and so become the manifestation of My command and the revealer of My light in the highest paradise? Judge thou aright, O servant! (The Hidden Words, Arabic, Nos. 45-46)

Rúhíyyih Khánum says that the best example for her is the airplane: “...when it trundles along on the ground on its wheels it is in the dimension of the ground...but when it soars into the air and folds its wheels away and leaps forward at dazzling speeds, it is in a celestial realm and the values are different. When we are on the ground we get good sound earthly advice, but if we choose...to leap into the realms of higher service and sacrifice we do not get that kind of advice any more, we win immortal fame and become heroes and heroines of God’s Cause.” (The Priceless Pearl, p. 127)

“Shoghi Effendi,” says Rúhíyyih Khánum, “always advised the friends to pursue a moderate and wise course, but if they did not, and chose to rise to heights of heroism and self-sacrifice, he was immensely proud of them.” (ibid., p. 127)

Moderation does not necessarily mean conservatism, or even timidity. It is possible that what the Guardian meant by a moderate response is one that is still well beyond the level of dedication we now find comfortable. In other words, between what we are doing for the Faith today, at one end of the spectrum, and martyrdom at the other, lies ample room for increased devotion, generosity and service.

This is the essence of that personal transformation which our Teachings and our institutions are urging us to achieve: “Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man’s merit lieth in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches.” (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, page 138)

Different levels of growth and different personal circumstances led the Guardian to give different advice to different people at different times. These two closing quotations set, in some ways, the boundaries of the spectrum of response for us; through prayer and consultation, each of us will choose successive positions on that spectrum as we grow in maturity, insight, and love for Bahá’u’lláh:

“It is therefore imperative for the individual American believer, and particularly for the affluent, the independent, the comfort-loving and those obsessed by material pursuits, to step forward and dedicate their resources, their time, their very lives to a Cause of such transcendence that no human eye can even dimly perceive its glory. Let them resolve, instantly and unhesitatingly, to place, each according to his circumstances, his share on the altar of Bahá’í sacrifice, lest, on a sudden, unforeseen calamities rob them of a considerable portion of the earthly things they have amassed. (Citadel of Faith, page 131)

And: “Even though Shoghi Effendi would urge every believer to sacrifice as much as possible for the sake of contributing toward the fund of the National Assembly, yet he would discourage the friends to incur debts for that purpose. We are asked to give what we have, not what we do not possess, especially if such an act causes suffering to others. In such matters we should use judgment and wisdom and take into our confidence other devoted Bahá’ís.” (Quoted in the Universal House of Justice’s compilation, “Bahá’í Funds,” p. 7)

On March 7, the Bahá’í Club at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago co-sponsored with the university’s Political Science Department a lecture, ‘China’s Future in the New World Order,’ by Farzam Kamalabadi. Mr. Kamalabadi, a Bahá’í who recently returned to the U.S. from Macau, lectures on China in English and Mandarin Chinese from a Bahá’í perspective. Pictured with Chinese students at NEIU are Michael Orona (left), president of the school’s Bahá’í Club; Ken Clayborne (third from left), a Bahá’í student at NEIU; Dr. Wang (second from right) of the NEIU Political Science Department; and Ping Xiu Hong (right), a Bahá’í from China who now lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Friends should submit non-literature items for sale to Bahá’í Special Materials Reviewing Committee

The Special Materials Reviewing Committee reviews all non-literature items that represent the Bahá’í Faith. Those who wish to produce such items for distribution and sale should contact the Special Materials Reviewing Committee at the Bahá’í National Center.

Here are some general guidelines that may help the friends in the production of such materials:

All non-literature items representing the Bahá’í Faith must be submitted to the Special Materials Reviewing Committee for approval if the friends wish to offer these materials for sale outside of their local communities. Otherwise, the items may be reviewed for local use by their local Spiritual Assembly.

The friends are urged to submit their projects in the idea stage before they have invested money in production.

Bahá’í membership lists and directories are not to be used by Bahá’ís for mailing advertising materials.

Only photographs of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are to be reproduced for sale, as Shoghi Effendi has said that these represent the greatest likeness of the Master. The friends are, however, free to produce paintings, sketches or busts of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for their own use or as gifts, if they wish.

The Special Materials Reviewing Committee has available for the friends copies of the proper renderings of the Greatest Name and ringstone symbols. Anyone wishing to reproduce these on jewelry or wall hangings should contact the committee for a copy, and reproduce these sacred symbols as accurately as possible. The highest quality materials should also be used for these symbols.

The process of review will be expedited if the friends submit printed lyrics for music, and also send lists of references for any quotations used in music, wall hangings, cards, etc.

The sacred text and the Greatest Name and ringstone symbols are not to be used on any items that have a functional purpose, such as T-shirts, coffee mugs, pens, or other items that are used regularly.

If the sacred text is used, once the Reviewing Committee has completed its process and given permission for distribution of the item(s) carrying the sacred text, the Bahá’í Publishing Trust should be contacted for the proper copyright permission line.

The Reviewing Committee is not designed to help the friends with production or marketing of their materials.

The review process takes approximately six to eight weeks.

Correspondence from the Special Materials Reviewing Committee should be presented to any Bahá’í agency or individual by producers of Bahá’í materials who wish to offer them for sale.

If you have any questions about review, the committee can be contacted by mail at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

FREE PAMPHLET!

Have a Basque friend who would like to know more about the Bahá’í Faith? An introductory pamphlet on the Faith in the Basque language is available FREE from the National Teaching Committee, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

When ordering, please specify how many pamphlets are needed.

IN MEMORIAM

Dorothy M. Allen Lynnwood, WA	Edmund Connor Shaker Heights, OH	H. Vincent Hayden Concord, NH	Mansoor Notash Shaker Heights, OH
Addie Baker Rocky Mount, NC	Mary E. Davis Milwaukee, WI	Elliott Hinton Garner, NC	James Points at Him St. Francis, SD
Nosratollah Baher San Diego, CA	Irma D. Disch Winnebago, IL	Joseph Ioas Fresno, CA	George Schultheis Beacon, NY
Lottie B. Banks Jacksonville, NC	Larry Eastlund Troutdale, OR	Romuela Javier Fremont, CA	C. Mildred Smith Marshalltown, IA
Richard Beer Onamia, MN	Mae Ellerbee Cheraw, SC	Rohanieh Kazemi Riverside, CA	George Smith Onamia, MN
Nina Bottorff Peoria, IL	Barbara Ellison Atascadero, CA	Charles Manthorne Hutchinson, KS	Clarence Suhm Fresno, CA
Richard Brown McMinnville, TN	Eve Mary Geary Carpinteria, CA	Ziba Missaghi Upland, CA	Leona Whipple Bemidji, MN
Gus Chestnut Fairhope, AL	Frances Godwin Fullerton, CA	Gregory Montanero Bridgeport, CT	Curtis Wilson New York, NY

[Page 24]As a community service and to help promote racial unity, ‎Bahá’is Bahá’ís‎ in Tampa, Florida, have ‘adopted’ part of a highway and volunteered to clean it four times a year. The highway was recently renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., which led to controversy and the vandalism of some 50 road signs. The Bahá’ís contacted the state Department of Transportation and offered their services on the road in Florida’s Adopt a Highway program; one immediate result was a request by a local newspaper for an interview about the Faith.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your copy of The American Bahá’í, send your new address and your mailing label to MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know what your new address will be.

This form may be used for one person or your entire family. Please be sure to list FULL NAMES AND I.D. NUMBERS for all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who will be affected by this change.

A. NAME(S): 1. I.D. # ______ Title ______ Full name - No nicknames please! ________________________ 2. I.D. # ______ Title ______ Full name ________________________ 3. I.D. # ______ Title ______ Full name ________________________ 4. I.D. # ______ Title ______ Full name ________________________

B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: Street address ________________________ Apartment # (If applicable) ________________________ City ________________________ State __________ Zip code __________

C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box or Other mailing address ________________________ Apartment # (If applicable) ________________________ City ________________________ State __________ Zip code __________

D. NEW COMMUNITY: Name of new Bahá’í Community ________________________ Moving date __________

E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: Area code __________ Phone number ____________________ Name ____________________

F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): Area code __________ Phone number ____________________ Name ____________________ Area code __________ Phone number ____________________ Name ____________________

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: [ ] we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and I.D. number(s) listed above. [ ] the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.

H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY: [ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, I.D. number and address above.

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MAY

3-5: Parent-Child Conference with Robert Harris and Auxiliary Board member June Thomas, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

10-12: Parent-Child Conference, Louhelen Bahá’í School, with Auxiliary Board member June Thomas, Robert Harris. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

17-19: Pioneering Institute, Austin, Texas.

17-19: Second annual Asian Teaching Conference, Louhelen Bahá’í School. Co-sponsored by the National Teaching Committee and U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office. Keynote speaker: Jamshed Fozdar. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

18-19: Conference for Bahá’í media professionals, Los Angeles Bahá’í Center. Sponsored by the World Congress Media Task Force.

24-27: A Spiritual Retreat for Couples, Bosch ‎Bahá’i Bahá’í‎ School. To register, send a $100 deposit for each person to: Registrar, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. You may register by charge card by phoning 408-423-3387.

30-June 7: Pacific Women’s Conference, University of Hawaii, Hilo. Co-sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands and the University of Hawaii; open to Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í participants. For information, contact the University of Hawaii at Hilo, CCECS Conference Center, Hilo, HI 96720, or phone 808-933-3555 (Fax 808-933-3684).

JUNE

5: United Nations World Environment Day. For information, write to Bahá’ís of the U.S., UN Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-751-1282).

7-9: Women’s Conference with Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

7-9: “The Seven Mysteries of Life,” weekend session with author Guy Murchie, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, write to the school at 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or phone 408-423-3387.

9: Race Unity Day.

16-27: Youth Academy, Native American Bahá’í Institute, Houck, Arizona. Local Spiritual Assemblies are encouraged to inspire and sponsor youth to attend. All youth are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Native American youth. As there are only 20 spaces available, please apply as soon as possible to: Carl North, registrar, Native American Bahá’í Institute, P.O. Box 187, Houck, AZ 86506, or phone 602-367-5126, ext. 8595.

22-23: Conference for Bahá’í media professionals, Bahá’í International Community office, New York City. Sponsored by the World Congress Media Task Force.

23-28: Fifth annual Camp Louhelen for children grades 3-6, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

27-30: Special Visit Program, Bahá’í House of Worship. For information, phone 708-256-4400.

28-30: Bahá’í Justice Society, sixth annual Conference and business meeting, Los Angeles Bahá’í Center, 5755 Rodeo Road. Theme: “Developing Bahá’í Models for Dispute Resolution.” Speakers to include Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt and two members of the National Spiritual Assembly, William Davis and Judge Dorothy W. Nelson. To register, contact Alicia Diaz, registrar, P.O. Box 23243, Santa Barbara, CA 93121 (phone 818-885-2737).

28-July 3: Eighth annual Teacher Training Conference, Louhelen Bahá’í School. With Dan and Linda Popov, the Grammers, Louhelen’s Teacher Training Committee, others. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

29-July 4: Bosch Bahá’í School summer session: “China Is the Country of the Future,” “The Divine Polity: Uniting East and West,” “Chinese Philosophy and the Bahá’í Life.”

29-July 11: 1991 Summer Youth Academy, Bosch Bahá’í School. Other sessions to be held July 13-25, August 3-15, and August 17-29. To inspire Bahá’í youth through a disciplined academic approach to deepen in the fundamentals of the Faith. Local Spiritual Assemblies are encouraged to sponsor youth to attend. Previous Youth Academy graduates may apply and be considered for an advanced program. As attendance is limited to 20 students per Academy, early application is advised. Please write to the Academy registrar, Mrs. Angelina Allen, Cardiff, CA 92007, or phone 619-944-6441.

JULY

3-7: Sixth Continental Indigenous Council, Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Shawnigan Lake, B.C., Canada. Theme: “Transformation and the Family.” For information, contact Christine Lucas, Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, B.C., Canada V0R 2W0.

5-10: Pioneer Institute, “Lifetime of Service,” with emphasis on the family, Louhelen Bahá’í School. Co-sponsored by the Office of Pioneering. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

6-11: “The Environment: Fundamental Issues of a Sound Economy in a Just Society,” Bosch Bahá’í School. Bahá’í professionals, students or active volunteers in environmental fields are invited to take part in a panel for ACTION AGENDA. To register, send a $35 deposit to: Registrar, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or order by charge card by phoning 408-423-3387. To take part in the panel, please submit a brief bio, Attention: Program Director.

8-13: “Directions for Esperanto—Local and National,” 3rd Midwest Conference, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. For information, phone Sherry Wells, 313-543-5297, or Steve Brewer, 616-626-8202.

11-14: International Youth Conference, Guadalajara, Mexico. For information, contact the Youth Desk at the Bahá’í National Center (phone 708-869-9039).

12-17: Junior Youth Week, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

13-18: Bosch Bahá’í School session, “Bringing Up Parents,” “Work as an Expression of Worship: What about the Homemaker?” “Priceless Elements of Our Primary Mission: The Will and Testament and Kitáb-i-Ahd.”

18-21: Second annual Persian Arts and Culture Weekend, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

20-25: Bosch Bahá’í School session, “The Healing of Racism,” “Epistle to the Son of the Wolf: Content, Style and Metaphor,” “Women and Men/Mothers and Fathers.”

21-27: Elderhostel, sponsored by Louhelen and the University of Michigan-Flint, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 313-653-5033.

27-August 1: Junior Youth Week, Bosch Bahá’í School.