Ridvan 156: To the Bahá’ís of Lithuania

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

It is with exceeding gladness that we greet the dear friends of Lithuania on the historic occasion of their first National Bahá’í Convention. The emergence of the independent National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Lithuania is a cause of rejoicing for the whole Bahá’í world. This precious victory for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh is the fruit of the self-sacrificing endeavors of the devoted believers, whether native Lithuanians, pioneers or traveling teachers, who have raised up a dynamic national Bahá’í community where, just a decade ago, there were only two believers in the entire country. Looking even further back, we can see the foundations of this achievement in the travels of Miss Martha Root, who planted the seeds of Bahá’u’lláh's Teachings in her visit to Kaunas in April 1927.

A new chapter in the history of the Faith in your country is opening. You can render no greater service to your people than sharing the life-giving Message of Bahá’u’lláh with your fellow citizens. It is your high privilege to work toward the fulfillment of such a noble goal with ever greater vigor, confidence and courage. The continued expansion of teaching activities, the steady multiplication and consolidation of your Local Spiritual Assemblies, the encouragement of youth, the holding of regular classes for children, and the ever more effective use of your training institute―these stand out among your major tasks as you face a challenging future.

For outward developments to properly endure and flourish, they must be matched by inner spiritual growth. The process of drawing ever closer to Bahá’u’lláh in prayer and meditation, of deepening your grasp and appreciation of the fundamental verities of our Faith, of transforming your personal lives and conduct and fostering strong bonds of unity and love among the believers will enable you to reach unimagined heights and lay the foundation for a rich and active community life which, by its example, will draw the souls of others to its blissful shelter.

Rest assured that we shall pray ardently in the Holy Shrines that Bahá’u’lláh may bless and strengthen you with His divine confirmations and enable you to foster the sound growth and development of His Faith in your land.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

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

Ridvan 156: To the Bahá’ís of Latvia

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

It is with profound happiness that we greet the dear friends who are gathered for the first National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Latvia. This significant achievement is the fruit of the united efforts of all the friends in the Baltic States, together with the assistance of the many dedicated souls who have visited your country, beginning with Miss Martha Root, who first brought the light of Bahá’u’lláh's Revelation to Latvia during her visit to Riga in April 1927. Today, your community has acquired the strength to elect its own National Spiritual Assembly, and stands ready to carry forward the noble work of the Cause.

Dear friends, the task before you is indeed challenging. Yours is the duty to show forth, by your words and by your deeds, the power of the Word of God to transform human character and the ordering of society. You must strive, by the force of your example of harmony and of love towards all people, to play your part in obliterating the racial, religious and political animosities which have for so long plagued humankind. Your countrymen are eagerly receptive to the gift which you can offer them, and opportunities for advancing the Cause have never been so plentiful. Your National Assembly, as a divinely ordained institution of the Administrative Order, is the channel for the outpouring of heavenly guidance and assistance, and your faithful and loving allegiance to it will be the surest means for the attainment of your highest aspirations.

Be assured that we shall offer ardent prayers in the Holy Shrines that the believers in your dear country will put forth a great effort in their love for Bahá’u’lláh. May He bless and guide your every step.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

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

6 January 1998: To the friends gathered at the Latin American Youth Congress in Chile

Dear Friends,

As the Cause of God advances resistlessly along the path traced out for it by its Divine Founder, each stage of the process opens up to a new generation of Bahá’í youth challenges unique to the historical moment. Building on the accomplishments of the generations before, youth must devise ways to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them. A discourse in consonance with the requirements of the time has to be refined, and activities aimed at transforming society have to be pursued with vigor.

To accomplish such tasks during the brief span of time afforded youth requires resolve, spiritual discipline, energy, reliance on the power of divine assistance, and constant immersion in the Word of God. These efforts, which constitute an integral part of the growth processes of the Bahá’í community itself, nevertheless possess characteristics distinctly their own. In recent years, and in many parts of the world, Bahá’í youth have referred to their collective endeavors as a "youth movement," a reminder that the energy being generated will not only bring new recruits from among their peers, but will move an entire generation one step closer to the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

Over the next few days you will be contemplating the special opportunities which the Hand of Providence has laid before you. An essential component of any strategy you devise is training. In all your countries, this question is being enthusiastically addressed as institutes learn to operate with increasing effectiveness. You yourselves are participating, as students and as teachers, in building capacity in your communities to train thousands and thousands of believers, many of whom will be young people. With this vision in mind, you should devise actions, characteristic of your youth movement, in which your swelling numbers will engage. How will you teach the Cause and advance the process of entry by troops? How will you contribute to the establishment of a distinctly Bahá’í life? And how will you accelerate the transformation of Latin American society to achieve its high destiny? As you contemplate these questions, be assured that our prayers will surround you.

The Universal House of Justice

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