Dear Baha'i friends,
The provision and dissemination of a balanced supply of
Baha'i literature is one of the aims set forth in the Seven Year Plan. The
Universal House of Justice has been considering this aspect of the Plan, and
has asked us to convey its comments to you.
The House of Justice hopes that every National Spiritual
Assembly will provide the believers under its jurisdiction with publications of
the Words of Baha'u'llah, the Bab, and 'Abdu'l-Baha. It is explicit in the Holy
Text that the followers of the Most Great Name should recite the verses daily.
How is this possible for the thousands of Baha'is who do not have access to
these Holy Words in a language which they can understand? Furthermore, the way
is open for the consolidation and maturing of the Baha'i community when the
hearts of its members can be exposed to the Divine Teachings in their pure
form.
With these principles in mind, the House of Justice asked a
committee at the World Centre to prepare a compilation from previously
published texts covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the Central
Figures of the Faith, including material which can be easily comprehended,
inspire the heart, strengthen the spirit of faith, and enrich the spiritual
understanding of the reader.
Such a compilation has now been prepared, and it is being
sent to you by airmail under separate cover. It is not meant to supersede any
material you may have already compiled. It is a sample of what can be done in
this vital area of Baha'i activity. You should, therefore, feel free to use or
translate as much or as little of this material as you wish, to add selections
from the Writings which you feel are particularly applicable to the friends in
your area, and to publish and distribute your own compilations as quickly and
inexpensively as possible.
It is the hope of the Universal House of Justice that the
workers in the Divine Vineyard in every land will always and increasingly have
recourse to the Writings revealed by the Central Figures of our Faith, will
appreciate the potency of the Holy Word, and will allow its ennobling and
spiritualizing influence to stimulate and direct their personal lives and guide
them in devoted services to the Cause of God.
With loving Baha'i greetings,
Department of the Secretariat
(‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986’)