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MESSAGES FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
1963-1986

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Intro, 1963-1964, 1964-1973, 1973-1974, 1974-1979, 1979-1986, End Sections
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+vii

Contents
	Foreword	xxvii
	A Note from the Compiler	xxxiii
	List of Abbreviations	xxxvii
	Epochs of the Heroic Age	xxxix
	Epochs of the Formative Age	xli
	The Third Epoch-Significant Milestones, Anniversaries, and Events	xliii


1963-1964
A Year of Preparation
1	Statement of the Universal House of Justice to the First Baha'i World Congress	5
2	Message to National Conventions 1963	7
3	Seat of the Universal House of Justice; New Arrangements for Pilgrims	11
4	Destruction of the 'Ishqabad Temple	12
5	The Guardianship	14
6	Announcement of the Nine Year Plan	14
7	Request for Prayers for Moroccan Baha'i Prisoners	19
8	Report on Moroccan Baha'i Prisoners	20
9	Development of National Baha'i Funds	21
10	Relationship of Hands of the Cause of God and National Spiritual Assemblies	22
11	Auxiliary Board Members on National Spiritual Assemblies	24
12	Release of Moroccan Baha'i Prisoners	25
13	The Baha'i Funds	26

+viii
1964-1973
The Nine Year Plan
14	Launching of the Nine Year Plan	31
15	Convention Greetings 1964	34
16	Guidelines for the Nine Year Plan	35
17	Dedication of the Mother Temple of Europe, Langenhain, Germany	37
18	Teaching the Masses	38
19	Universal Participation	42
20	Development of the Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God	44
21	Relationship of Hands of the Cause of God and the National Spiritual Assemblies	46
22	Appointment of Five Continental Pioneer Committees	47
23	Election and Infallibility of the Universal House of Justice	50
24	Ridvan Message 1965	59
25	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Leroy Ioas	66
26	Purification of the Most Holy Shrine of Baha'u'llah, the Qiblih of the Baha'i World	66
27	Reasons for Delay in Translating and Publishing the Kitab-i-Aqdas	67
28	Call for Pioneers	69
29	Observance of Baha'i Holy Days	70
30	Further Thoughts about Mass Teaching	71
31	Call for Pioneers and Traveling Teachers	74
32	Fiftieth Anniversary of the Revelation of the Tablets of the Divine Plan	75
33	Passing of Jessie Revell, Member of the International Baha'i Council	76
34	Ridvan Message 1966	76
35	The Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice	83
36	Pioneering and a Program of Consolidation	90
37	Message to Youth-Three Fields of Service	92

+ix

38	Formation of Three More National Spiritual Assemblies at Ridvan 1967	96
39	Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Italy	96
40	Development of the Baha'i World Center and the Needs of the Baha'i International Fund	97
41	Commemoration of the Revelation of the Suriy-i-Muluk	98
42	Ridvan Message 1967	99
43	Release of a Compilation on Teaching the Masses	109
44	Sesquicentennial of the Birth of Baha'u'llah	110
45	The Nature and Purpose of Proclamation	110
46	Message to the Six Intercontinental Conferences	112
47	Inauguration of the Third Phase of the Nine Year Plan	114
48	Announcement of the Resignation of Dr. Lutfu'llah Hakim from the Universal House of Justice	115
49	Assumption by the Universal House of Justice of Representation of the Baha'i International Community at the United Nations	116
50	Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Panama Temple	116
51	Selection of Traveling Teachers	117
52	Extracts on Teaching the Masses	118
53	Plans for Commemorating the Sesquicentennial of the Birth of Baha'u'llah at the First Oceanic Conference, Palermo, Sicily	122
54	Safeguarding the Letters of Shoghi Effendi	123
55	Relationship of Baha'is to Politics	125
56	Election of the Universal House of Justice-Ridvan 1968	129
57	Message to National Conventions 1968	129
58	Announcement of Decision to Establish Eleven Continental Boards of Counselors	130
59	Establishment of Continental Boards of Counselors	130
60	First Appointments to Continental Boards of Counselors	133
61	Message to First National Youth Conference in the United States	134
62	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Hermann Grossmann	135

+x

63	Message to the First Oceanic Conference, Palermo, Sicily	135
64	Passing of Dr. Lutfu'llah Hakim, Member of the Universal House of Justice	139
65	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Tarazu'llah Samandari	140
66	Results of the Palermo Conference	140
67	Letter to Youth-Pioneering and Education	142
68	Ridvan Message 1969	144
69	Guidance on Self-Defense	148
70	New Appointments to Continental Boards of Counselors	149
71	Formation of an Additional National Spiritual Assembly during Ridvan 1970	149
72	Work of Continental Boards of Counselors and Their Auxiliary Board Members	150
73	Appeal to Increase Teaching Efforts amidst Catastrophic Events of the Day	153
74	Acquisition of Property Adjacent to Bahji	155
75	Comments on the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice	156
76	Release of a Compilation on Baha'i Funds	162
77	Noninterference in Political Affairs	162
78	Attainment of Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council	167
79	The Spirit of Baha'i Consultation	167
80	Commemoration of the Centenary of the Martyrdom of Mirza Mihdi, the Purest Branch	168
81	Ridvan Message 1970	169
82	Message to Bolivia and Mauritius Conferences-August 1970	170
83	Call for Pioneers	173
84	Release of a Compilation on the Local Spiritual Assembly	174
85	Formation of Seven National Spiritual Assemblies during Ridvan 1971	175
86	Message to Pioneers	175
87	Grave Crisis in Baha'i International Fund	178
88	Message to the Monrovia Conference-January 1971	180

+xi

89	Message to the Oceanic Conference, of the South China Seas, Singapore-January 1971	181
90	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Agnes Alexander	182
91	Participation of the Hands of the Cause of God in First National Conventions	183
92	Formation of Nine Additional National Spiritual Assemblies during Ridvan 1971	183
93	Warning against the Misuse of Recordings of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Voice	184
94	Principles of Baha'i Publishing	185
95	Call for Deepening on the Significance of the Formative Age	189
96	Ridvan Message 1971	196
97	Message to the Caribbean Conference-May 1971	199
98	Message to the South Pacific Oceanic Conference-May 1971	200
99	Commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha	202
100	Message to the North Pacific Oceanic Conference-September 1971	203
101	Message to the North Atlantic Conference-September 1971	205
102	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Musa Banani	207
103	Spiritual Character of Baha'i Elections	208
104	Formation of Thirteen New National Spiritual Assemblies during Ridvan 1972	208
105	World Center Developments-Erection of Obelisk and Extension of Gardens	209
106	Surpassing the Nine Year Plan Goal for the Number of Baha'i Localities	209
107	Release of a Compilation on Music and Singing	210
108	Dedication of the Mother Temple of Latin America, Panama City, Panama	210
109	Release of a Compilation on Baha'i Schools and Institutes	211
110	Ridvan Message 1972	212
111	Elucidation of the Nature of the Continental Boards of Counselors	214
112	Message to Baha'i Unity Conference, Ganado, Arizona	217

+xii

113	Establishment of Local Spiritual Assemblies during the Final Year of the Nine Year Plan	218
114	Release of a Compilation on the National Spiritual Assembly	219
115	Announcement of the Decision to Build the Seat of the Universal House of Justice	220
116	Plans for Commemorating the Centenary of the Revelation of the Kitab-i-Aqdas	220
117	Exhortation to Blot Out Every Last Trace of Prejudice	221
118	Embryonic Nature of Local Spiritual Assemblies	223
119	Passing of Ishraq-Khavari, Preeminent Baha'i Scholar	225
120	Release of a Compilation on Newsletters	225
121	Martyrdom of Three Iranian Baha'i Students in the Philippine Islands	226
122	Release of a Compilation on Baha'i Life	227
123	Adoption of the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice	229
124	Activities for the Year Preceding the Global Plan to be Launched Ridvan 1974	230
125	Announcement of the Completion of the Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas	231
126	Obeying the Law of God in One's Personal Life	231
127	Purchase of Mazra'ih Mansion	236
128	Ridvan Message 1973	236
129	Election of the Universal House of Justice-Ridvan 1973	242

1973-1974
A Year of Preparation
130	Announcement of the Acceptance of the Faith by His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa	245
131	Establishment of the International Teaching Center	246
132	Elucidation of the Duties of the International Teaching Center and Expansion of the Continental Boards of Counselors	246
133	Youth and Baha'i Standards of Behavior	253
134	Formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Equatorial Guinea	254

+xiii

135	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God John Ferraby	254
136	Appointment of the Architect of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice	255
137	Expansion and Reinforcement of the Auxiliary Boards	255
138	Request for Actions in Preparation for Launching Five Year Plan at Ridvan 1974	257
139	Extension of Gardens at Bahji	258
140	Acceptance of Design for the Seat of the Universal House of Justice	258

1974-1979
The Five Year Plan
141	Launching of the Five Year Plan - Naw-Ruz 1974	261
142	Elucidation of Five Year Plan Goals	266
143	Call for Architects for Houses of Worship in India and Western Samoa	271
144	Passing of Covenant-Breaker Charles Mason Remey	271
145	Laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas Concerning Men and Women	272
146	Memorandum on Establishing and Operating a Baha'i Publishing Trust	273
147	Laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas Not Binding in the West	277
148	Revision of the Functions of Continental Pioneer Committees	280
149	The Lesser Peace and "the Calamity"	281
150	Passing of Laura Dreyfus-Barney, Compiler of Some Answered Questions	282
151	Comments on the Baha'i Attitude toward Material Suffering	282
152	Release of a Compilation on Opposition	284
153	Formation of Five New National Spiritual Assemblies during Ridvan 1975 and Readjustment of the Zones of African Continental Boards of Counselors	286
154	Acquisition of the House of 'Abdu'llah Pasha in 'Akka	288
155	Call for Pioneers	289
156	Acquisition of Land Adjacent to the Guardian's Resting-Place in London	290
157	The Significance of the House of 'Abdu'llah Pasha	290

+xiv

158	A Plan for International Collaboration in Traveling Teaching	296
159	Ridvan Message 1975	298
160	Fiftieth Anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States	299
161	Safeguarding the Letters of Shoghi Effendi	299
162	Comments on the Progress of the Five Year Plan	300
163	Representation of the Universal House of Justice by Hands of the Cause of God at International Conferences	314
164	Significance of the Seat of the Universal House of justice	315
165	Excavation of the Site of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice	318
166	Laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas Concerning Men and Women; Membership on the Universal House of Justice	318
167	Release of a Compilation of Prayers and Tablets for Children and Youth	320
168	Release of a Compilation on Baha'i Meetings and the Nineteen Day Feast	321
169	Naw-Ruz Message 1976	322
170	Appointments to Continental Boards of Counselors and Auxiliary Boards	323
171	Message to the International Teaching Conference, Helsinki, Finland-July 1976	326
172	Message to the International Teaching Conference, Anchorage, Alaska-July 1976	328
173	Comments on the Subject of Politics	330
174	Message to the International Teaching Conference, Paris, France-August 1976	336
175	Release of a Compilation on Baha'i Education	338
176	Message to the, International Teaching Conference, Nairobi, Kenya-September 1976	340
177	Visit of His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II to the Resting-Place of Shoghi Effendi	343
178	Outstanding Achievements in Khurasan, Iran	344
179	Achievement of the Majority of Pioneer Goals at Midpoint of Five Year Plan	344

+xv

180	Additional Appointments to Continental Boards of Counselors	345
181	Message to the International Teaching Conference, Hong Kong-November 1976	345
182	Grappling with the Challenge of Consolidation	347
183	Call for a Vigorous Traveling Teaching Program	350
184	Message to the International Teaching Conference, Auckland, New Zealand-January 1977	351
185	Message to the International Teaching Conference, Bahia, Brazil-January 1977	353
186	Signature of Contract for Erection of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice	355
187	Message to the International Teaching Conference, Merida, Mexico-February 1977	355
188	Release of a Compilation on the Individual and Teaching	357
189	Consolidation of Local Spiritual Assemblies; Formation at Any Time during Ridvan	359
190	Ridvan Message 1977	361
191	Call for Pioneers	364
192	Commemoration of the Centenary of the Termination of Baha'u'llah's Confinement in 'Akka	365
193	Murder of an Iranian Homefront Pioneer	366
194	Collaboration between Auxiliary Board Members and National and Regional Teaching Committees	367
195	Reconstruction of Society	368
196	Ceremony for Laying the Foundation Stone of the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent	371
197	Message to Women's Conference, New Delhi	371
198	Appointment of Architects for the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent and the Restoration of the House of 'Abdu'llah Pasha	372
199	Formation of New and Lapsed Assemblies throughout the Year --	372
200	Appointment of New Counselor in Southeastern Asia	373
201	Announcement of Initiation of Broadcasting by First Baha'i Radio Station	373
202	Message of Greetings to Hemispheric Baha'i Radio-Television Conference	374

+xvi

203	Comments on First International Baha'i Women's Conference in South America	374
204	Release of a Compilation on Baha'i Consultation	375
205	Inauguration of Radio Baha'i Ecuador	375
206	Elucidation of Baha'i Teachings on Ranks and Stations	376
207	Message to the International Convention-Ridvan 1978	378
208	Message to the National Conventions-Ridvan 1978	381
209	Election of the Universal House of Justice-Ridvan 1978	381
210	Appointment of Architect for House of Worship in Western Samoa	382
211	Love for God and Baha'u'llah	382
212	Inclusion of Mother Temple of the West in National Register of Historic Places	383
213	Inauguration of Radio Baha'i Ecuador	383
214	Directing the Course of One's Life	384
215	The Grave Peril Facing Baha'is and Holy Places in Iran	386
216	Announcement of Decision to Launch a Seven Year Plan	386
217	Baha'i Scholarship	387
218	Persecution of the Baha'is of Iran	392
219	Extension of Permission to Form Local Spiritual Assemblies under Certain Conditions during Ridvan	393
220	Refutation of False Accusations against Iranian Baha'is	394

1979-1986
The Seven Year Plan
221	Launching of the Seven Year Plan - Naw-Ruz 1979	401
222	Elucidation of Seven Year Plan Goals	407
223	Member of the Universal House of Justice to Address Significant Meetings in North America and Europe	412
224	Living a Chaste and Holy Life	413
225	Seizure of the House of the Bab	414
226	Call for Prayers for the Baha'is of Iran	415
227	The Increasing Dangers Facing Iranian Baha'is	416

+xvii

228	Advice on Use of Pioneers and Traveling Teachers	420
229	The Setting of Counselors' Terms of Service	421
230	New Member of International Teaching Center	421
231	Conversion of Iranian National Baha'i Headquarters into an Islamic University	421
232	Call for Pioneers	422
233	Release of Baha'i Prisoners in Baghdad	422
234	Effects of Baha'i Actions on the Situation in Iran	423
235	Demolition of the House of the Bab	424
236	Results of Significant Meetings Addressed by Member of the Universal House of Justice	425
237	Assassination of the Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga	426
238	Omission of Baha'is as a Recognized Religious Minority from Iranian Constitution	426
239	Refutation of Accusations against Iranian Baha'is	427
240	Release of a Compilation on Inspiring the Heart	430
241	Demolition of the House of the Bib and Adjacent Baha'i Properties	431
242	Excavation of Temple Site in Western Samoa	431
243	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Rahmatu'llah Muhajir	431
244	Release of a Compilation on Divorce	432
245	Passing of Inparaju Chinniah, Continental Counselor	433
246	Message to Iranian Baha'is throughout the World	433
247	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Hasan M. Balyuzi	442
248	Naw-Ruz Message 1980,	442
249	Release of a Compilation on the Importance of Prayer, Meditation, and the Devotional Attitude	446
250	Contract for Construction of the Indian Temple	447
251	Comments on the Kitab-i-Aqdas	447
252	Our Attitude and Actions toward the Impending Catastrophe	451
253	Ominous Increase in Pressures on Iranian Baha'is	452
254	Execution of Two Members of the Tabriz Spiritual Assembly	453

+xviii

255	Vigorous Steps Taken in Defense of the Baha'is of Iran	454
256	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Adelbert Muhlschlegel	454
257	Commencement of Construction of Indian Temple	455
258	Translation of the Long Healing Prayer and the Fire Tablet	455
259	Arrest of National Spiritual Assembly of Iran and Two Auxiliary Board Members	456
260	Another False Accusation against the Iranian Baha'is	457
261	Martyrdom of Seven Baha'is in Yazd	457
262	Defense of the Baha'is of Iran in Le Monde	458
263	Worldwide Response to Iranian Persecutions	461
264	Property Acquisitions in the Holy Land	462
265	Passing of Leonora Stirling Armstrong, Spiritual Mother of South America	463
266	Attendance of the Members of a Spiritual Assembly at Its Meetings	463
267	Further Development of the Continental Boards of Counselors	464
268	Martyrdom of Rida Firuzi in Tabriz; Uncertainty of Whereabouts of National Assembly Members	467
269	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Abu'l-Qasim Faizi	467
270	Immolation of Baha'i Couple in Nuk Village	468
271	Message to Counselors' Convocations on Five Continents	469
272	Relationship between Husband and Wife	470
273	Assassination of Dr. Manuchihr Hakim, Chairman of Iranian National Spiritual Assembly	474
274	Events Related to the Execution of Dr. Manuchihr Hakim	474
275	Second Phase of the Seven Year Plan	476
276	Return of the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears to Africa	480
277	Execution of Two Baha'is in Shiraz	480
278	Attendance of Baha'is from Rural Areas at International Conferences	481
279	Deployment of Pioneers and Traveling Teachers	481
280	Comments on Aspects of the Seven Year Plan	484

+xix

281	Execution of Three Baha'is in Shiraz	493
282	Imminent Obliteration of the Site of the House of the Bab	494
283	Establishment of European Branch Office of Baha'i International Community	494
284	Baha'i International Fund-Recent Victories and Immediate Challenges	495
285	Execution of Seven Members of the Spiritual Assembly of Hamadan	497
286	Execution of Three Baha'is in Tehran	497
287	Execution of Four Baha'is in Iran	497
288	Announcement of Representatives to the International Conferences	498
289	Tests of Baha'i Community Life-A Balanced Perspective	498
290	Execution of Two Baha'is in Kashmir	501
291	Message to First Women's Conference, United Kingdom	501
292	Execution of Auxiliary Board Member and Seven Assembly Members in Tabriz; Abduction of Two Teenage Girls	502
293	A New Phase of Persecution in Iran	503
294	Release of a Compilation on the Assistance of God	504
295	Release of a Compilation of Prayers and Passages from the Baha'i Writings	504
296	Execution of Six Baha'is in Tehran and Daryun	505
297	The Worsening Situation in Yazd	506
298	Further Deterioration of the Situation in Iran	507
299	Voice of America Report on Campaign of Arrests against Iranian Baha'is	507
300	Further Acts of Persecution in Iran	508
301	Grave Developments in Iran	508
302	Call for Pioneers	509
303	Release of a Compilation on Excellence in All Things	509
304	Inauguration of Radio Baha'i Peru	510
305	Demolition of the House of Baha'u'llah in Takur; Seizure of Cemetery in Tehran	510
306	Arrest of Eight Members of the Iranian National Spiritual Assembly	511

+xx

307	Execution of Eight Members of the Iranian National Spiritual Assembly	511
308	Proselytizing, Development, and the Covenant	513
309	Iranian Supreme Court's Denial of Execution of Iranian National Spiritual Assembly Members	519
310	Appeal by Baha'i International Community to Iranian Leaders	520
311	Secret Execution of Six Members of Tehran Assembly and Hostess	521
312	Using A Cry from the Heart to Explain the Tragic Events in Iran	521
313	Plans for Commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Ascension of Bahiyyih Khanum	522
314	Golden Opportunity Offered by Reign of Relentless Terror; Actions Taken to Defend the Baha'is of Iran	525
315	Call for a Day of Prayer for the Baha'is of Iran; Inviting Sympathetic Organizations and Individuals	532
316	Release of a Compilation on Family Life	533
317	Mounting Cruelties and the Heightened Steadfastness of the Iranian Baha'is	534
318	Relocation of Manila Conference	535
319	Transfer of Manila Conference to Canberra, Australia	535
320	Representation of the Universal House of Justice at Lagos Conference by Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts	536
321	Ridvan Message 1982	536
322	Further Developments of the Situation in Iran	539
323	Six Martyrdoms, More Arrests Resulting from Fresh Outburst of Persecutions	540
324	Execution of Two Members of the Spiritual Assembly of Urumiyyih	541
325	Appointment of New Counselor in Asia	541
326	Passing of Amoz Gibson, Member of the Universal House of Justice	541
327	Call for Ballots to Elect One Member of the Universal House of Justice	542
328	Execution of Two Members of the Khaniabad Spiritual Assembly	543

+xxi

329	Message to the International Conference in Dublin, Ireland-2 June 1982	543
330	Comments on the Station of 'Abdu'l-Baha and the Language Used by the Central Figures	545
331	Martyrdom of Four Baha'is in Qazvin and Surrounding Areas	548
332	Election of Glenford Mitchell to the Universal House of Justice	548
333	Guidelines Concerning the Registration of Children and Youth	549
334	Commemoration at the World Center of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf and Inauguration of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice	552
335	Execution of 'Abbas-'Ali Sidiqipur in Shiraz	553
336	Elucidation of the Principle of Confidentiality	553
337	Message to the International Conference in Quito, Ecuador-6-8 August 1982	555
338	Message to the International Conference in Lagos, Nigeria-19-22 August 1982	557
339	Execution of 'Ali' Na'imiyan in Urumiyyih	559
340	Message to the International Conference in Montreal, Canada-3-5 September 1982	559
341	Message to the International Conference in Canberra, Australia-2-5 September 1982	563
342	Comments on the First Danish Baha'i Women's Conference	565
343	Guidelines for Behavior of Children at Feast	566
344	Intensification of Oppression of Iranian Baha'is	566
345	Execution of Dr. Diya'u'llah Ahrari in Shiraz	567
346	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Paul Haney	567
347	Imprisonment of More Than Eighty Baha'is in Shiraz	568
348	Establishment of First Baha'i Radio Station in North America	568
349	Torture of Baha'is Imprisoned in Shiraz	569
350	Call for Another Day of Prayer	569
351	Execution of Hidayat Siyavushi in Shiraz	570
352	Prayer of `Abdu'l-Baha for Martyred Friends and Relatives	570
353	Release of a Compilation on the Importance of Deepening	571
354	Occupation of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice	571

+xxii

355	Execution of Two Baha'is in Shiraz	572,
356	Execution of Mrs. Tuba Za'irpur in Shiraz	573
357	Message to Youth Conferences in Costa Rica and Honduras	573
358	Ridvan Message 1983	574
359	Election of the Universal House of Justice-Ridvan 1983	577
360	Execution of Two Baha'is in Isfahan	577
361	Further Evolution of the International Teaching Center	577
362	Statement by the President of the United States about the Baha'is of Iran	580
363	Execution of Six Baha'is in Shiraz	580
364	Execution by Hanging of Ten Baha'i Women in Shiraz	581
365	Message to Youth-Summons to Vindicate Martyred Youth	582
366	Appointment of Continental Counselors	583
367	Execution of Suhayl Hushmand in Shiraz	583
368	Attacks against Baha'i Villagers in Mazindaran; Kidnapping of Two Baha'is in Tehran	584
369	Message to the European Youth Conference in Innsbruck	584
370	Continuing Harassments and Arrests in Iran	586
371	Formation of Nine New National Spiritual Assemblies at Ridvan	586
372	Intensification of Waves of Arrests in Iran	587
373	Arrest of More Baha'is in Iran	587
374	Passing of Sylvia Ioas, Member of the International Baha'i Council	587
375	Requisites for Spiritual Growth	588
376	Preparations for International Youth Year	590
377	Banning of Baha'i Administration in Iran	591
378	Open Letter to Iranian Authorities from the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran	592
379	Social and Economic Development New Field of Baha'i Service	601
380	Passing of Continental Counselor Raul Pavon	604
381	Continued Pressure against the Baha'is of Iran	605

+xxiii

382	Appointment of Continental Counselors	606
383	Response of Individuals to Persecution of Iranian Baha'is	606
384	Service in Voluntary Nonsectarian Organizations	611
385	Acute Needs of the International Funds	612
386	Message to Youth-International Youth Year	614
387	Death of Three More Iranian Baha'is and Arrest Of 250 More	617
388	Passing of Ethel Revell, Member of the International Baha'i Council	618
389	Message to National Baha'i Women's Conference, Kenya	618
390	Persecution of Baha'is in Morocco	619
391	Inaugural Broadcast of Radio Baha'i Bolivia	619
392	Insidious Turn of Persecution of Iranian Baha'is	620
393	Execution of Three by Firing Squad	620
394	Ridvan Message 1984	621
395	Use of Torture to Extract False Confessions from Iranian Baha'is	625
396	Summary of the Situation in Iran	627
397	The Development of the Soul and the Reconstruction of Society	629
398	Message to Baha'i Women's Conference in Cotonou, Benin	631
399	Execution of Nusratu'llah Vahdat in Mashhad	632
400	Execution of Ihsanu'llah Kathiri in Tehran	632
401	Results of Baha'i Women's Conference in Cotonou, Benin	632
402	Relationship between Husband and Wife-Further Comments	633
403	Dedication of the Mother Temple of the Pacific Islands, Apia, Western Samoa	635
404	Introduction of the Law of Huququ'llah to the West	637
405	Understanding the Laws of the Faith	638
406	Execution of Manuchihr Ruhi	639
407	Roles of Parents within the Baha'i Family	640
408	Message to Youth Conference, London, Ontario	641
409	Safeguarding the Letters of Shoghi Effendi	642
411	Call for Pioneers	643

+xxiv

411	Martyrdom of Iranian National Spiritual Assembly Member Shapur Markazi; Death of Aminu'llah Qurbanpur in Prison	644
412	The Universal House of Justice's Power of Elucidation	645
413	Execution of Member of Disbanded Iranian National Spiritual Assembly and of Baha'is from Karaj and Mashhad	647
414	Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Shu'a'u'llah 'Ala'i	647
415	Invitation to Participate in the Formulation of the Next Plan	648
416	Execution of Six Baha'is in Tehran	649
417	Execution of Dr. Farad Asdaqi after Four Months of Torture; Death of Two Baha'is in Tabriz after More Than Two Years' Imprisonment	649
418	Adoption of Another Oppressive Measure by the Iranian Government	650
419	Renewed Call for Support of International Funds	650
420	International Year of Peace	652
421	Execution of Ruhu'llah Hasuri in Yazd; Confirmation of Death of Rustam Varjavandi in Prison	655
422	Elucidation of the Lesser Peace and the Supreme Tribunal	655
423	Passing of Lloyd Gardner, Continental Counselor	660
424	Execution of Ruhu'llah Bahramshahi in Yazd and Nusratu'llah Subhani in Tehran	660
425	Human Suffering and the Reconstruction of Society	661
426	Responsibilities of Youth at the Age of Maturity	665
427	Ridvan Message 1985	666
428	Message to Youth-Scaling the Heights of Excellence	668
429	Announcement of Completion of a Statement on Peace Addressed to the Peoples of the World	669
430	Release of a Compilation on the Law of Huququ'llah	670
431	Message to International Youth Conference, Columbus, Ohio	670
432	Inauguration of Public Information Office at the World Center	671
433	Election of Delegates to National Conventions	671
434	Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Baha'i Peace Activities	674
435	Development of Local and National Baha'i Funds	676
436	Release of a Compilation on Peace	679

+xxv

437	Execution of Two More Iranian Baha'is; Baha'i Students Pressured	680
438	The Promise of World Peace	681
439	Appointment of Continental Boards of Counselors	696
440	Reinterment of Baha'u'llah's Faithful Half-Brother	698
441	Execution of 'Azizu'llah Ashjari by Firing Squad	699
442	Presentation of Peace Statement to the Secretary-General of the United Nations	700
443	Presentation of Peace Statement to the President of the United States	701
444	Adoption of Resolution in Support of Iranian Baha'is by the United Nations General Assembly Affirmation of Emergence from Obscurity	701
445	Message to Conference of Counselors in the Holy Land	702
446	Release of a Compilation on Women	704
447	Report from Conference in the Holy Land; the Inception of the Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age	704
448	Women-Their Role in Society and the Establishment of Peace; Membership on the Universal House of Justice	707
449	Message to National Youth Conference, Adelaide, Australia	709
450	Inaugural Broadcast of Radio Baha'i Panama	710
451	Epochs of the Formative Age	710
452	Plans for the Dedication of the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent, New Delhi	716
453	The Six Year Plan-Major Objectives and Setting National Goals	717
454	Passing of Angus Cowan, Continental Counselor	723
455	Women-Reasons for Exemption from Acts of Worship	724
456	Ridvan Message 1986	724



	Glossary	729
	Bibliography	759
	Index of Names	765
	General Index	773

Click on any of the numbers below to jump to a specific page of Messages from the Universal House of Justice: 1963-1986, The Third Epoch of the Formative Age:

Introductory Pages:   i   ii   iii   iv   v   vi
Contents:   vii   viii   ix x xi xii xiii xiv xv xvi xvii xviii xix xx xxi xxii xxiii xxiv xxv
Foreword: xxvi xxvii
A Note from the Compiler: xxviii xxix xxx xxxi xxxii xxxiii xxxiv xxxv xxxvi
List of Abbreviations: xxxvii xxxviii
Epochs of the Heroic Age: xxxix xl
Epochs of the Formative Age: xli xlii
The Third Epoch-Significant Milestones, Anniversaries, and Events: xliii xliv xlv xlvi xlvii xlviii

1963-1964:   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

1964-1973: 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242

1973-1974: 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258

1974-1979: 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397

1979-1986: 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 673 674 675 676 677 678 679 680 681 682 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 725 726

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