May 8. On this date in 1942, Shoghi Effendi wrote "Deep as are family ties, we must always remember that the spiritual ties are far deeper; they are everlasting and survive death, whereas physical ties, unless supported by spiritual bonds, are confined to this life."

‘Abdu’l-Baha with grandsons and other Baha’is, as numbered: 1. Hassan Jalal Shahid. 2. Fuad Afnan. 3. Riaz Rabbani. 4. Hussein Rabbani. 5. Munib Shahid. 6. Ruhi Afnan. 7. Soheil Afnan. 8. Agha Mirza Mohsen Shirazi Afnan. 9. Jamil Isfahani. 10. Mirza Anayatollah Isfahani. 11. Saichiro Fujita. 12. Sobhi. 13. John Esslemont. 14. Isfandiar. 15. Azizullah Khan Bahadur. 16. Nouriyeh (daughter of Leila, ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s housekeeper).

May 8. On this date in 1942, Shoghi Effendi wrote "Deep as are family ties, we must always remember that the spiritual ties are far deeper; they are everlasting and survive death, whereas physical ties, unless supported by spiritual bonds, are confined to this life."

729. Family Ties
"Deep as are family ties, we must always remember that the spiritual ties are far deeper; they are everlasting and survive death, whereas physical ties, unless supported by spiritual bonds, are confined to this life. You should do all in your power, through prayer and example, to open the eyes of your family to the Bahá'í Faith, but do not grieve too much over their actions. Turn to your Bahá'í brothers and sisters who are living with you in the light of the Kingdom."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, May 8, 1942)