Maturation of Baha’i institutions and of the members of those institutions

17 July 1996

To a National Spiritual Assembly

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your email message of 24 June 1996… regarding the distinction between maturation of Baha’i institutions and of the members of those institutions, was forwarded to the Universal House of Justice, which has asked us to reply as follows.

Maturation should be regarded as a process of evolution which is destined to lead to the stage when the institutions become developed and capable of accomplishing the great tasks assigned them for achieving the ultimate unfoldment of the Baha’i World Order.

There is, of course, a close link between the maturation of the individual members and that of the institutions. While the process of evolution which maturation entails is equally applicable to individuals, it should be remembered that even when all members may be highly developed in terms of Baha’i virtues and spiritual qualities, the collective entity itself needs time to evolve and achieve maturity as an institution. This evolutionary process requires the unwavering support of individuals through considerable courage and vigilance in demonstrating their love, respect and trust for the institutions, as well as loyal obedience to the decisions made by them.

Shoghi Effendi stated, in a letter written on his behalf to an individual believer, that difficulties and evidences of immaturity seem to be an inevitable phase in the growth of the Bahá’í Administration, which is so much more perfect than the believers called upon to establish it.

We hope that the above thoughts will be helpful to you in obtaining the enlightenment sought by your Assembly on this important subject.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001)

Formation of Two New National Spiritual Assemblies

15 February 1996

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Baha’i Friends,

We take great joy in announcing the formation next Ridván of two new National Spiritual Assemblies, one in Africa and one in Europe:

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Sao Tomé and Príncipe with its seat in São Tomé, whose inaugural National Convention is being organized by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Nigeria.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Moldova with its seat in Chisinau, whose inaugural National Convention is being organized by the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Ukraine and Moldova.

The Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Ukraine and Moldova with its seat in Kiev will become the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Ukraine.

We are delighted by these further evidences of the extension of the institutions of Bahá’u’lláh’s Administrative Order as the conclusion of the Three Year Plan approaches. May the friends throughout the world derive fresh impetus from these developments and, with confidence in the assurance of Bahá’u’lláhs confirmations and assistance, concentrate their energies on spreading His redemptive Message.

With loving Baha’i greetings.

The Universal House of Justice

(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001)