Dear Bahá'í friends,
The striking progress made during the first eight months of
the Five Year Plan and the urgent needs of the work as disclosed in a survey
made by the International Teaching Centre impel us to raise anew the call for
pioneers made at Ridvan, increasing the number from 557 to 933. The details of
the allocations are now being sent to your National Spiritual Assemblies for
immediate action.
The eager response of the friends to the initial call has
already resulted in 279 pioneers settled or in process of becoming so. The
remainder are urged to arise as quickly as possible before the confusion and
chaos which are engulfing the old order disrupt transportation and
communications and cause doors which are now open to be closed in our faces. It
is our ardent hope that most, if not all, of the 933 posts will be filled by
the midway point of the Five Year Plan, which coincides with the Anniversary of
the Birth of the Báb, on 20 October 1976.
We renew our plea to individual believers, as well as to
National and Local Spiritual Assemblies, to give generous support to the
International Deputization Fund, which will not only be an essential factor in
the speedy settlement of this urgently needed army of pioneers, but will also
stimulate and assist the flow of travelling teachers, whose labours will
provide strong reinforcement to the work of the followers of Bahá'u'lláh in all
parts of the world.
Our prayers for your guidance and confirmation are offered
at the Sacred Threshold. May Bahá'u'lláh inspire those who arise and guide
their feet in the path of His service.
With loving Bahá'í greetings,
The Universal House of Justice
(Messages from the Universal House of justice, 1963 to 1986)
