Local Spiritual Assemblies
Compilation
Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi
© Bahá’í International Community
I. The Importance of the Local Spiritual Assembly
— 1 —
“As the Bahá’í Administrative Order rapidly expands throughout the world it behooves everyone associated with it to familiarize himself with its principles, to understand its import and to put its precepts into practice. Only as individual members of Local Spiritual Assemblies deepen themselves in the fundamental verities of the Faith and in the proper application of the principles governing the operation of the Assembly will this institution grow and develop toward its full potential.”
The Universal House of Justice, from a letter 11 August 1970 to all National Spiritual Assemblies
— 2 —
“The divinely ordained institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly operates at the first levels of human society and is the basic administrative unit of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order. It is concerned with individuals and families whom it must constantly encourage to unite in a distinctive Bahá’í society, vitalized and guarded by the laws, ordinances and principles of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. It protects the Cause of God; it acts as the loving shepherd of the Bahá’í flock.
“Strengthening and development of Local Spiritual Assemblies is a vital objective… Success in this one goal will greatly enrich the quality of Bahá’í life, will heighten the capacity of the Faith to deal with entry by troops which is even now taking place and, above all, will demonstrate the solidarity and ever-growing distinctiveness of the Bahá’í community, thereby attracting more and more thoughtful souls to the Faith and offering a refuge to the leaderless and hapless millions of the spiritually bankrupt, moribund present order....
“The friends are called upon to give their whole-hearted support and cooperation to the Local Spiritual Assembly, first by voting for the membership and then by energetically pursuing its plans and programmes, by turning to it in time of trouble or difficulty, by praying for its success and taking delight in its rise to influence and honour. This great prize, this gift of God within each community must be cherished, nurtured, loved, assisted, obeyed and prayed for.
“Such a firmly founded, busy and happy community life as is envisioned when Local Spiritual Assemblies are truly effective, will provide a firm home foundation from which the friends may derive courage and strength and loving support in bearing the Divine Message to their fellow-men and conforming their lives to its benevolent rule.”
The Universal House of Justice, from a Naw-Rúz 1974 to the Bahá’ís of the World
— 3 —
“The
institution
of
the
Local
Spiritual
Assembly
is
of
primary
importance
in
the
firm
establishment
of
the
Faith,
and
we
hope
that
you
will
give
particular
attention
to
ensuring
that
as
many
as
possible,
and
in
increasing
numbers,
are,
in
the
words
of
the
beloved
Guardian,
’broadly
based,
securely
grounded’
and
‘efficiently
functioning’.”
The Universal House of Justice, from a Naw-Rúz 1974 to all National Spiritual Assemblies
— 4 —
“…the one vital activity which will enrich the quality of Bahá’í life is the strengthening of Local Assemblies, for in this institution, operating at the first level of human society, rests the greatest opportunity to foster the sound and healthy growth of the Bahá’í community. In other words, however efficient the National Assembly and its staff may be, and however diligently the national committees may function, it is only when the Local Spiritual Assemblies begin to operate vigorously that a firm home base can be provided from which to carry the Divine Message further afield.”
The Universal House of Justice, from a letter 3 April 1974 to
the National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa
— 5 —
“It is becoming increasingly understood by the friends why ... such great emphasis upon the firmness of the foundation and the efficiency of the operation of the Local Spiritual Assemblies. This is very heartening, for upon the degree to which the members of these Assemblies grasp the true significance of the divine institution on which they serve, arise selflessly to fulfil their prescribed and sacred duties, and persevere in their endeavours, depends to a large extent the healthy growth of the world-wide community of the Most Great Name, the force of its outward thrust, and the strength of its supporting roots.”
The Universal House of Justice, from a letter 25 May 1975 to all National Spiritual Assemblies
II. The Development of the Local Spiritual Assemblies
— 6 —
“Local Spiritual Assemblies are at the present newly born institutions, struggling for the most part to establish themselves both in the Bahá’í community and in the world. They are as yet only embryos of the majestic institutions ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in His Writings….
“What we find expounded in the writings of our Faith is the lofty station Local Spiritual Assemblies must attain in their gradual and at times painful development….
“Among the more salient objectives to be attained by the Local Spiritual Assembly in its process of development to full maturity are to act as a loving shepherd to the Bahá’í flock, promote unity and concord among the friends, direct the teaching work, protect the Cause of God, arrange for Feasts, Anniversaries and regular meetings of the community, familiarize the Bahá’ís with its plans, invite the community to offer its recommendations, promote the welfare of youth and children, and participate, as circumstances permit, in humanitarian activities. In its relationship to the individual believer, the Assembly should continuously invite and encourage him to study the Faith, to deliver its glorious message, to live in accordance with its teachings, to contribute freely and regularly to the Fund, to participate in community activities, and to seek refuge in the Assembly for advice and help, when needed.
“In
its
own
meetings
it
must
endeavour
to
develop
skill
in
the
difficult
but
highly
rewarding
art
of
Bahá’í
consultation,
a
process
which
will
require
great
self-discipline
on
the
part
of
all
members
and
complete
reliance
on
the
power
of
Bahá’u’lláh.
It
should
hold
regular
meetings
and
ensure
that
all
its
members
are
currently
informed
of
the
activities
of
the
Assembly,
that
its
Secretary
carries
out
his
duties,
and
its
Treasurer
holds
and
disburses
the
funds
of
the
Faith
to
its
satisfaction,
keeping
proper
accounts
and
issuing
receipts
for
all
contributions.
Many
Assemblies
find
that
some
of
their
activities
such
as
teaching,
observance
of
Feasts
and
Anniversaries,
solution
of
personal
problems,
and
other
duties
are
best
dealt
with
by
committees
appointed
by
the
Assembly
and
responsible
to
it.”
The Universal House of Justice, from a letter 30 July 1972 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia
— 7 —
“The time has come, we believe, when increasing numbers of Local Spiritual Assemblies should assume responsibility for helping the teaching work of groups, isolated believers, and other Spiritual Assemblies in their neighborhood. Such extension teaching goals should be assigned by the National Spiritual Assembly or one of its teaching committees, or can be spontaneously adopted by Local Spiritual Assemblies, and should be carried out within the framework of the overall teaching plans of the country. It should also be made clear that by being given such goals a Spiritual Assembly is not being given any jurisdiction over believers outside its area, still less over other Local Spiritual Assemblies, but is being called upon to collaborate with them in their work.”
The Universal House of Justice, from a Naw-Rúz 1974 to all National Spiritual Assemblies
— 8 —
“We
long
to
see
every
Local
Spiritual
Assembly
either
spontaneously
adopt
its
own
goals
or
warmly
welcome
those
it
has
been
or
will
be
given
by
its
National
Spiritual
Assembly,
swell
the
number
of
the
adherents
who
compose
its
local
community
and,
guided
by
the
general
policy
outlined
by
its
National
Spiritual
Assembly,
proclaim
the
Faith
more
effectively,
energetically
pursue
its
extension
teaching
and
consolidation
goals,
arrange
the
observances
of
the
Holy
Days,
regularly
hold
its
Nineteen
Day
Feasts
and
its
sessions
for
deepening,
initiate
and
maintain
community
projects,
and
encourage
the
participation
of
every
member
of
its
community
in
giving
to
the
Fund
and
undertaking
teaching
activities
and
administrative
services,
so
as
to
make
each
locality
a
stronghold
of
the
Faith
and
a
torch-bearer
of
the
Covenant.”
The Universal House of Justice, from a letter 25 May 1975 to all National Spiritual Assemblies
— 9 —
“The
adoption
of
a
local
plan
by
the
Local
Assembly
can
exert
a
far-reaching
influence
on
its
work
and
on
the
life
of
the
community.”
The Universal House of Justice, from a letter 24 December 1975 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Reunion
III. The Supporting Role of the Auxiliary Board Members and Their Assistants
— 10 —
The National Spiritual Assemblies in consultation with the Counsellors should avail themselves of the services of the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants, who, together “...with the travelling teachers selected by the Assembly or its Teaching Committees, should be continuously encouraged to conduct deepening courses ... and to make regular visits to Local Spiritual Assemblies....”
The visitors, whether Auxiliary Board members, their assistants or travelling teachers “…should meet on such occasions not only with the Local Assembly but, of course, with the local community members, collectively at general meetings and even, if necessary, individually in their homes.”
The subjects to be discussed at such meetings with the Local Assembly and the friends should include among others the following points:
1. the extent of the spread and stature of the Faith today;
2. the importance of the daily obligatory prayers (at least the short prayer);
3. the need to educate Bahá’í children in the Teachings of the Faith and encourage them to memorize some of the prayers;
4. the stimulation of youth to participate in community life by giving talks, etc. and having their own activities, if possible;
5. the necessity to abide by the laws of marriage, namely, the need to have a Bahá’í ceremony, to obtain the consent of parents, to observe monogamy; faithfulness after marriage; likewise the importance of abstinence from all intoxicating drinks and drugs;
6. the local Fund and the need for the friends to understand that the voluntary act of contributing to the Fund is both a privilege and a spiritual obligation. There should also be discussion of various methods that could be followed by the friends to facilitate their contributions and the ways open to the Local Assembly to utilize its local Fund to serve the interests of its community and the Cause;
7. the importance of the Nineteen Day Feast and the fact that it should be a joyful occasion and rallying point of the entire community;
8. the manner of election with as many workshops as required, including teaching of simple methods of balloting for illiterates, such as having one central home as the place for balloting and arranging for one literate person, if only a child, to be present at that home during the whole day, if necessary;
9. last but not least, the all-important teaching work, both in the locality and its neighbouring centres, as well as the need to continuously deepen the friends in the essentials of the Faith. The friends should be made to realize that in teaching the Faith to others they should not only aim at assisting the seeking soul to join the Faith, but also at making him a teacher of the Faith and its active supporter.
“All
the
above
points
should,
of
course,
be
stressed
within
the
framework
of
the
importance
of
the
Local
Spiritual
Assembly,
which
should
be
encouraged
to
vigorously
direct
its
attention
to
these
vital
functions
and
become
the
very
heart
of
the
community
life
of
its
own
locality,
even
if
its
meetings
should
become
burdened
with
the
problems
of
the
community.
The
local
friends
should
understand
the
importance
of
the
law
of
consultation
and
realize
that
it
is
to
the
Local
Spiritual
Assembly
that
they
should
turn,
abide
by
its
decisions,
support
its
projects,
co-operate
whole-heartedly
with
it
in
its
task
to
promote
the
interests
of
the
Cause,
and
seek
its
advice
and
guidance
in
the
solution
of
personal
problems
and
the
adjudication
of
disputes,
should
any
arise
amongst
the
members
of
the
community.”
The Universal House of Justice, from a letter 2 February 1966 to
all National Spiritual Assemblies Engaged in Mass Teaching Work
