1983
1 The observable
acceleration, during the past decade, of the two processes described by our
beloved Guardian, the disintegration of the old order and the progress and
consolidation of the new World Order of Bahá'u'lláh,
may well come to be regarded by future historians as one of the most remarkable
features of this period. The recent increase in this very acceleration is even more
remarkable. Both within and without the Cause of God, powerful forces are
operating to bring to a climax the twin tendencies of this portentous century.
Among the many evidences which reveal this process may be cited, on the one
hand, the continual increase of lawlessness, terrorism, economic confusion,
immorality and the growing danger from the proliferation of weapons of
destruction, and on the other, the world-wide, divinely propelled expansion,
consolidation and rapid emergence into the limelight of world affairs of the
Cause itself, a process crowned by the wonderful efflorescence of Mount Carmel,
the mountain of God, whose Divine springtime is now so magnificently
burgeoning.
2 During the past five
years, the historical dialectic of triumph and disaster has operated
simultaneously within the Cause of God. The Army of Light has sustained the
loss of six Hands of the Cause and waves of bitter persecution which have again
engulfed the long-suffering community in Iran, and
have resulted in the razing of the House of the Báb,
the demolition of Bahá'u'lláh's ancestral home in Tákur, and the martyrdom of scores of valiant souls. Yet
these disasters have called forth fresh energies in the hearts of the friends,
have fed the deep roots of the Cause and given rise to a great harvest of
signal victories. Chief among these are the successful
conclusion of the Five Year Plan; the launching of the Seven Year Plan, now in
the final year of its second phase and unprecedented proclamation of the Faith
to Heads of States, parliaments and parliamentarians, government ministers and
officials, leaders of thought and people prominent in the professions,
resulting in a change of attitude on the part of the mass media, which now
increasingly approach us for information about the Cause.
3 To these movements must
be added the world-wide observances commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of
the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf; the completion of the restoration of the
upper floor of the House of Abdu'lláh Páshá, and its opening, at this very time, to its first
visitors; the occupation by the Universal House of Justice of its permanent
Seat, in further fulfilment of the great prophecy in the Tablet of Carmel;
steady progress on the construction of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár
of the Pacific Islands in Samoa and the Mother Temple of the Indian
Subcontinent in New Delhi.
4 Among the outstanding
features of the teaching and consolidation work are the continuing effective
results of the participation of more than sixteen thousand believers from all
parts of the world in the five International Conferences; intensive teaching
campaigns carried out with the active support of all levels of the community
and drawing upon the enthusiasm and capacity of Bahá'í youth; the establishment
of a second radio station in South America; the re-formation of the National
Spiritual Assemblies of Uganda and Nepal, and the establishment of nine new
National Spiritual Assemblies, two of which will be elected during the month of
May this year, bringing the total of these secondary Houses of Justice to 135.
5 Above and beyond all
these is the unity in action achieved by the Bahá'í world community in its
efforts to enlist public support for the dearly-loved,
greatly-admired, cruelly-beleaguered Iranian believers, a unity further
manifested in an outpouring of funds to replace their former liberal
contributions, and an upsurge of personal dedication rarely seen on so
universal a scale and holding the highest promise for the future.
6 The growing maturity of
a world-wide religious community which all these processes indicate is further
evidenced in the reaching out, by a number of national communities, to the
social and economic life of their countries, exemplified by the founding of
tutorial schools, the inception of radio stations, the pursuit of rural
development programs and the operation of medical and agricultural schemes. To
these early beginnings must be added the undoubted skills acquired, as a result
of the Iranian crisis, in dealing with international organizations, national
governments and the mass media---the very elements of society with which it
must increasingly collaborate toward the realization of peace on earth.
7 A wider horizon is
opening before us, illumined by a growing and universal manifestation of the
inherent potentialities of the Cause for ordering human affairs. In this light
can be discerned not only our immediate tasks but, more dimly, new pursuits and
undertakings upon which we must shortly become engaged. At present we must complete
the objectives of the Seven Year Plan, paying great attention to those inner
spiritual developments which will be manifested in greater unity among the
friends and in National and Local Spiritual Assemblies functioning
"harmoniously, vigorously and efficiently" as the Guardian desired.
8 We have no doubt that
the Bahá'í world community will accomplish all these tasks and go forward to
new achievements. The powers released by Bahá'u'lláh
match the needs of the times. We may therefore be utterly confident that the
new throb of energy now vibrating throughout the Cause will empower it to meet
the oncoming challenges of assisting, as maturity and resources allow, the
development of the social and economic life of peoples, of collaborating with
the forces leading towards the establishment of order in the world, of
influencing the exploitation and constructive uses of modern technology, and in
all these ways enhancing the prestige and progress of the Faith and uplifting
the conditions of the generality of mankind.
9 It is a time for
rejoicing. The Sun of Bahá'u'lláh is mounting the
heavens, bringing into ever clearer light the contrast between the gloom, the
despair, the frustrations and bewilderment of the world, and the radiance,
confidence, joy and certitude of His lovers. Lift up
your hearts. The Day of God is here.
With loving Bahá'í greetings,
The Universal House of Justice