Thursday, October 22, 2020

November 5. On this date in 1912, 'Abdu’l-Bahá gave a talk at the Grand Hotel in Cincinnati where he praised the United States, stating "I find the United States of America vast and progressive, the government just and equitable, the nation noble and independent... America has arisen to spread the teachings of peace, to increase the illumination of humankind and bestow happiness and prosperity upon the children of men. These are the principles and evidences of divine civilization. America is a noble nation, the standard-bearer of peace throughout the world, shedding light to all regions...But America — praise be to God! — is at peace with all the world and is worthy of raising the flag of brotherhood and international agreement. When this is done, the rest of the world will accept. All nations will join in adopting the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revealed more than fifty years ago... I am most grateful to President Taft for having extended his influence toward the establishment of universal peace."

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  November 5. On this date in 1912, 'Abdu’l-Bahá gave   a talk at the Grand Hotel   in Cincinnati where he praised the United States, st...

November 4. On this date in 1951, Shoghi Effendi wrote American Bahá'ís "to focus attention on vital, pressing, paramount needs of National Fund at this critical juncture. Hour is ripe to recall unnumbered tribulations, sacrifices heroically endured by the dawn-breakers, culminating in Bahá'u'lláh's afflictive imprisonment in Siyah Chal, Centennial of which is now approaching."

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  November 4. On this date in 1951, Shoghi Effendi   wrote   American Bahá'ís "to focus attention on vital, pressing, paramount nee...

November 4. On this date in 1957, Shoghi Effendi died suddenly at the age of 60 from the Asian flu in London where he was shopping for furniture and ornaments for the International Archives building. He died having violated Bahá'u'lláh's command in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas that "Unto everyone hath been enjoined the writing of a will." Having no children of his own and having declared every living male descendant of Bahá'u'lláh a Covenant-breaker, Shoghi Effendi left no eligible candidates for the office of Guardian, posing a serious problem given his assertion that "In this Dispensation, divine guidance flows on to us in this world after the Prophet’s ascension, through first the Master, and then the Guardians.".

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  November 4. On this date in 1957, Shoghi Effendi died suddenly at the age of 60 from the Asian flu in London where he was   shopping for f...

November 3. On this date in 1948, Shoghi Effendi wrote American Bahá'ís "The champion builders of Bahá'u'lláh's rising World Order must scale nobler heights of heroism as humanity plunges into greater depths of despair, degradation, dissension and distress. Let them forge ahead into the future serenely confident that the hour of their mightiest exertions and the supreme opportunity for their greatest exploits must coincide with the apocalyptic upheaval marking the lowest ebb in mankind's fast-declining fortunes."

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  November 3. On this date in 1948, Shoghi Effendi   wrote   American Bahá'ís "The champion builders of Bahá'u'lláh's r...

November 3. On this date in 1948, Shoghi Effendi wrote American Bahá'ís "The deepening crisis ominously threatening further to derange the equilibrium of a politically convulsed, economically disrupted, socially subverted, morally decadent and spiritually moribund society is testing the tenacity, taxing the resources and challenging the spirit throughout three continents of the chosen trustees and valiant executors of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan."

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  November 3. On this date in 1948, Shoghi Effendi   wrote   American Bahá'ís "The deepening crisis ominously threatening further t...

November 3. On this date in 1980, the Universal House of Justice wrote "Even should the Bahá'í communities, in the years immediately ahead, be cut off from the World Centre or from one another--as some already have been--the Bahá'ís will neither halt nor hesitate; they will continue to pursue their objectives, guided by their Spiritual Assemblies and led by the Counsellors, the members of the Auxiliary Boards and their assistants..."

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  November 3. On this date in 1980, the Universal House of Justice wrote "Even should the Bahá'í communities, in the years immediat...

November 3. On this date in 1982, the UHJ wrote, "Concerning the definition of the term 'aversion' in relation to Bahá'í divorce law, the Universal House of Justice points out that there are no specific 'grounds' for Bahá'í divorce such as there are in some codes of civil law. Bahá'í law permits divorce but, as both Bahá'u'lláh and Abdu'l-Bahá have made very clear, divorce is abhorred."

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  November 3. On this date in 1982, the UHJ   wrote , "Concerning the definition of the term 'aversion' in relation to Bahá...