Citadel of Faith
Read online at https://bahai-library.com/shoghi-effendi_citadel_faith .
Importance of reading[edit]
“In the arena of teaching, your indispensable terms of reference and the unerring resource to which you have ready access are the Master’s Tablets of the Divine Plan. They invest your community with extraordinary powers shared by your sister community in Canada. It is in reacquainting the American friends with the special mission, both at home and abroad, assigned to them in these seminal and timeless documents, and in relating their contents to current conditions that you will find the key to the revitalization of the teaching work and the winning of outstanding victories on the home front. In this effort you will be powerfully aided by the explanations provided in the letters of our dear Guardian, such as “The Advent of Divine Justice,” “The Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour,” [in Citadel of Faith, p. 4] “American Bahá’ís in time of World Peril.” [in Citadel of Faith, p. 122] We have every confidence that, together with the Continental Counsellors and the Auxiliary Board members, you can discover the way further to release the enormous energies of the friends and to intensify the zeal which they have so splendidly displayed in the teaching field on so many occasions in the past.”
- (Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, May 19, 1994)
“Concerning your request for advice about a systematic deepening plan, you are referred to 'The Advent of Divine Justice' (page 41 (p. 49 in online edition?)) and 'Citadel of Faith' (pages 76-77). There, the beloved Guardian outlined areas of study which aim to deepen the spiritual life of the believers and prepare them for teaching and service to the Faith.”
- (From a letter dated 18 July 1984 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, quoted in the compilation “Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi” no. 12)
“The collected messages of Shoghi Effendi to the American community published in such well-read and familiar titles as 'Bahá'í Administration', 'The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh', 'The Advent of Divine Justice', 'Messages to America', 'The Promised Day is Come' and 'Citadel of Faith', form part of the primary literature of the Faith.”
- (From a letter dated 1 October 1987 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a Bahá'í Publishing Trust, quoted in the compilation “Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi”, no. 15)
Subject-based Outline (reorganized Table of Contents)[edit]
Plan[edit]
Plan (major messages) / Holy Land, America's and Other Countries' Roles[edit]
- The Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour
- American Bahá'ís in the Time of World Peril
- Effective Prosecution of Sacred Tasks
- Spiritual Conquest of the Planet
- A Turning Point in American Bahá'í History
- Inestimable Prizes Within Our Reach
- Heights Never Before Attained
Plan needs[edit]
- Call to Fuller Participation
- Participation in Second Seven Year Plan
- Urge Special Attention to Goals
- Teaching in Africa
- European Pioneers and Temple Contract
- One Remaining Objective Hangs in the Balance
- Maintain Momentum in Triple Field
- A Worthy, Five-Fold Offering
- Assistance to Epoch-Making Enterprise in Africa
- Forty-Fifth Annual Convention: U.S. Tasks in World Crusade
- Intending Pioneers Urged to Scatter
- Assemblies Must Be Maintained
- Dual, Inescapable, Paramount Responsibilities
Plan encouragement[edit]
- Critical Stage of Task on Home Front
- No Sacrifice Too Great
- Prevailing Crisis
- My Appeal to This God-Chosen Community
- Praying for Added Fervor
- Completed Tasks Release Outpouring of Grace
- Appeal to Entire Community to Persevere
- Scale Nobler Heights of Heroism
- The Citadel of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh
- A Testing Period Recalling Ordeals of the Dawn-Breakers
- Supplicating Blessing for American Activities
- This Hour, Crowded With Destiny
- Praying For Increasing Success
- Sacred Task of Present Hour
- Message to 1951 State Conventions
- The Last and Irretrievable Chance
- Safeguarding American Primacy
- Revitalize Entire Community
- Greater Consecration to Pressing Tasks
- Praying for Great Victories on Home Front
- Intensification of Efforts
Plan updates[edit]
- Consolidation in Europe
- Evidences of Notable Expansion
- Recognition of Preeminent Services
- Emergency Teaching Campaign
- Marvelous Acceleration
- Brilliant Achievements
- Curtailment of Some Activities
- Process of Expansion Accelerates
- Welcome Initial Victory
- Relieved by Intensified Activity
- First American Pioneer to Africa
Funds[edit]
- Believers' Generous Response to Temple Fund
- Support the National Fund
- Divert Contributions to Temple Fund
- Non-Bahá'í Gifts
- Funds for International Center
Financial/Legal matters[edit]
- Budget Approved for 1949-1950
- Preliminary Temple Contracts
- Drastic Budget Reduction
- Further Budget Reduction
Commemorations[edit]
Holy Site and Temple info and updates[edit]
- Temple Interior Ornamentation and Arcade of the Báb's Sepulcher
- Arcade for the Shrine of the Báb
- Arcade of the Báb's Shrine Begun
- Corners of Shrine Arcade Under Construction
- Majesty of the Báb's Shrine Unfolding
- Shrine Parapet Completed
- Shrine Arcade Nearing Completion
- Requirements for Temple Completion
- Temple Site Purchased in Panama
Holy Family/Covenant-breaker updates[edit]
- Faithless Brother Hussein
- Ruhi and Family Show Open Defiance
- Badí'u'llah Has Miserably Perished
- Comforted by Messages of Devotion
