The Local Spiritual Assembly/Membership–Qualifications, Election
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II. MEMBERSHIP—QUALIFICATIONS,
ELECTION
“If we but turn our gaze to the high qualifications of the members of Baha’i Assemblies . . . we are filled with feelings of unworthiness and dismay, and would feel truly disheartened but for the comforting thought that if we rise to play nobly our part every deficiency in our lives will be more than compensated by the all-conquering spirit of His grace and power. Hence it is incumbent . . . to consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience.” —Shoghi Effendi
(Bahai Administration, p. 88)
“With reference to your next question concerning the qualifications of the members of the spiritual assembly; there is a distinction of fundamental importance which should be always remembered in this connection, and this is between the spiritual assembly as an institution, and the persons who comprise it. These are by no means supposed to be perfect, nor can they be considered as being inherently superior to the rest of their fellow believers. It is precisely because they are subject to the same human limitations that characterize the other members of the community that they have to be elected every year. The existence of elections is a sufficient indication that assembly members, though forming part of an institution that is divine and perfect, are nevertheless themselves imperfect. But this does not necessarily imply that their judgment is defective. For as ‘Abdu’l-Baha has repeatedly emphasized Baha’i assemblies are under the guidance and protection of God. The elections, specially when annual, give the community a good opportunity to remedy any defect or imperfection from which the
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assembly may suffer as a result of the actions of its members. Thus a safe method has been established whereby
the quality of membership in Baha'i assemblies can be
continually raised and improved. But, as already stated,
the institution of the spiritual assembly should under no
circumstances be identified with, or be estimated merely
through, the personal qualifications of the members that
compose it.”
(From letter dated November 15, 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
“I feel that reference to personalities before the election would give rise to misunderstanding and differences. What the friends should do is to get thoroughly acquainted with one another, to exchange views, to mix freely and discuss among themselves the requirements and qualifications for such a membership without reference or application, however indirect, to particular individuals. We should refrain from influencing the opinion of others, of canvassing for any particular individual, but should stress the necessity of getting fully acquainted with the qualifications of membership referred to in our Beloved’s Tablets and of learning more about one another through direct, personal experience rather than through the reports and opinions of our friends.” —Shoghi Effendi
(Published in Principles of Baha’i Administration, p. 46)
“These local Spiritual Assemblies will have to be elected directly by the friends, and every declared believer of 21 years and above, far from standing aloof and assuming an indifferent or independent attitude, should regard it his sacred duty to take part conscientiously and diligently, in the election, the consolidation and the efficient working of his own local Assembly.’’—Shoghi Effendi
(Bahai Administration, p. 39)
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