Local Spiritual Assembly

Compilations

• Local Spiritual Assembly (compilation) (here)
• Local Spiritual Assemblies (compilation) (here)

See also

• Administration

Goals

• https://bahai-library.com/compilation_local_spiritual_assemblies#IV

Spiritual foundation of Local Spiritual Assemblies

Spiritual Assemblies are aided by the Spirit of God and their defender is 'Abdu'l-Bahá

"These Spiritual Assemblies are aided by the Spirit of God. Their defender is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Over them He spreadeth His wings. What bounty is there greater than this? These Spiritual Assemblies are shining lamps and heavenly gardens, from which the fragrances of holiness are diffused over all regions, and the lights of knowledge are shed abroad over all created things. From them the spirit of life streameth in every direction. They, indeed, are the potent sources of the progress of man, at all times and under all conditions."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 80)

Basic administrative unit of Bahá'u'lláh's World Order

God has ordained in every city a House of Justice with 9 counsellors should be established

"The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Bahá (9) ... They should consider themselves as entering the Court of the presence of God, the Exalted, the Most High, and as beholding Him Who is the unseen. It behoveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to regard themselves as the guardians appointed of God for all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent on them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly. Thus hath the Lord your God commanded you. Beware lest ye put away that which is clearly revealed in His Tablet. Fear God, O ye that perceive."

(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 30)

The divinely ordained institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly is the basic administrative unit of Bahá'u'lláh's World Order

"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."

(Letter from the Universal House of Justice, dated Naw-Rúz 1974, to the Bahá’ís of the World, in Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986: The Third Epoch of the Formative Age, par. 141.13)

Necessity of Local Spiritual Assemblies being established is clear when we realize they will evolve into the Local House of Justice

"[I]t is of the utmost importance that in accordance with the explicit text of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book, in every locality, be it city or hamlet, where the number of adult (21 years and above) declared believers exceeds nine, a local “Spiritual Assembly” be forthwith established. To it all local matters pertaining to the Cause must be directly and immediately referred for full consultation and decision. The importance, nay the absolute necessity of these local Assemblies is manifest when we realize that in the days to come they will evolve into the local House of Justice ..."

(Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í Administration, p. 37)

Evolution of the Local Spiritual Assembly

Spiritual Assemblies of the future to add to their powers, duties, and prerogatives of a State Religion

"Not only will the present-day Spiritual Assemblies be styled differently in the future, but they will be enabled also to add to their present functions those powers, duties, and prerogatives necessitated by the recognition of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, not merely as one of the recognized religious systems of the world, but as the State Religion of an independent and Sovereign Power."

(Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 6-7)

Local Spiritual Assembly which strives to grow in maturity and efficiency and encourages its community can add to a groundswell of interest

"Every Local Spiritual Assembly which unitedly strives to grow in maturity and efficiency and encourages its community to fulfill its destiny as a foundation stone of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order can add to a growing groundswell of interest in and eventual recognition of the Cause of God as the sole hope for mankind."

(Message from the Universal House of Justice, dated Riḍván 1985, to the Bahá’ís of the World, in Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986: The Third Epoch of the Formative Age, par. 427.5)

The forces of a new civilization are to be canalized into the institutions and this requires continuous expansion of the community

"As for the institutions, entry by troops will act upon them as much as they will act upon it. The evolution of local and national Bahá’í Assemblies at this time calls for a new state of mind on the part of their members as well as on the part of those who elect them, for the Bahá’í community is engaged in an immense historical process that is entering a critical stage. Bahá’u’lláh has given to the world institutions to operate in an Order designed to canalize the forces of a new civilization. Progress toward that glorious realization requires a great and continuous expansion of the Bahá’í community, so that adequate scope is provided for the maturation of these institutions. This is a matter of immediate importance to Bahá’u’lláh’s avowed supporters in all lands."

(Letter from the Universal House of Justice, dated Riḍván 1996, to the Bahá’ís of the World)

Assembly grows in awareness of role as channel of God's grace for the entire village, town, or city

"The community must become imbued with a sense of mission and the Assembly grow in awareness of its role as a channel of God’s grace not only for the Bahá’ís but for the entire village, town or city in which it serves."

(Letter from the Universal House of Justice, dated December 26, 1995 to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors)

Local Spiritual Assembly is evolutionary and will develop in relation to growth

"The role of the Local Spiritual Assembly is, like that of all other institutions, an evolutionary one, which will develop in relation to the processes of growth. Although observations in this area are still rather preliminary, certain broad conclusions are already discernible. Where Local Assemblies have acquired the new vision of growth and adjusted to the requirements of operating within the context of the cluster, they have greatly enhanced the teaching work. Conversely, where there has been resistance to the new realities, the process of growth has been adversely affected."This content is from an office of the Bahá'í World Centre, the International Teaching Centre, reflecting its own opinion

(Document prepared by the International Teaching Center, dated July 2005, “Impact of Growth on Administrative Processes”, in Turning Point, Selected Messages from the Universal House of Justice and Supplementary Material, 1996-2006, par. 53.11)

Maturation comes about through enhancement of capabilities of Bahá'í institutions as they are involved in promoting growth

"This maturation comes about through the enhancement of the capabilities of Bahá’í institutions as they are involved in promoting growth, responding to the needs of increasing numbers of believers, and facilitating their service to the Cause."This content is from an office of the Bahá'í World Centre, the International Teaching Centre, reflecting its own opinion

(Document prepared by the International Teaching Center, dated April 2003, “Building Momentum: A Coherent Approach to Growth”, in Turning Point, Selected Messages from the Universal House of Justice and Supplemental Material, 1996-2006, par. 52.112)

Not to confuse distinct role of Assemblies vs. individuals

"There is a tendency to mix up the functions of the Administration and try to apply it in individual relationships, which is abortive, because the Assembly is a nascent House of Justice and is supposed to administer, according to the Teachings, the affairs of the community. But individuals toward each other are governed by love, unity, forgiveness and a sin-covering eye. Once the friends grasp this they will get along much better, but they keep playing Spiritual Assembly to each other and expect the Assembly to behave like an individual."

(Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, dated October 5, 1950; Directives from the Guardian, pp. 41-42)

"The Day of God is a Day of Joy, but also a Day of Judgement. Every man is guided both by the Love of God and by the Fear of God. In their relationships with one another individual believers should be loving and forgiving, overlooking one another's faults for the sake of God, but the Spiritual Assemblies are the upholders of the Law of God. They are embryonic Houses of Justice. The education of a child requires both love and discipline; so also does the education of believers and the education of a community. One of the failings of Bahá'ís, however, is to confuse these two roles, individuals behaving like little Spiritual Assemblies, and Spiritual Assemblies forgetting that they must exercise justice."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, July 22, 1981, Removal of Administrative Rights, no. 4)

From Lights of Guidance

Assemblies Ordained by Bahá'u'lláh

"Addressing the nations, the Ancient Beauty ordaineth that in every city in the world a house be established in the name of justice wherein shall gather pure and steadfast souls to the number of the Most Great Name (9). At this meeting they should feel as if they were entering the Presence of God, inasmuch as this binding command hath flowed from the Pen of Him Who is the Ancient of Days. The glances of God are directed towards this Assembly."

(Bahá'u'lláh: from a newly translated Tablet cited in The Local Spiritual Assembly, p. 6, compiled by the Universal House of Justice, in Lights of Guidance, no. 7)

Established in Every City--Counsellors to the Number of Baha (9)

"The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Baha (9), and should it exceed this number it does not matter...."

(Bahá'u'lláh: Kitab-i-Aqdas, K 30, p. 29, in Lights of Guidance, no. 8)

Purpose of Spiritual Assemblies

"...These bodies have the sacred obligation to help, advise, protect and guide the believers in every way within their power when appealed to--indeed they were established just for the purpose of keeping order and unity and obedience to the law of God amongst the believers.

"You should go to them as a child would to its parents...."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, September 28, 1941: The Local Spiritual Assembly, compiled by the Universal House of Justice, in Lights of Guidance, no. 9)

Their Defender is Abdu'l-Bahá

"These Spiritual Assemblies are aided by the Spirit of God. Their defender is Abdu'l-Bahá. Over them He spreadeth His wings. What bounty is there greater than this?... These Spiritual Assemblies are shining lamps and heavenly gardens, from which the fragrances of holiness are diffused over all regions, and the lights of knowledge are shed abroad over all created things. From them the spirit of life streameth in every direction. They, indeed, are the potent sources of the progress of man, at all times and under all conditions."

(Abdu'l-Bahá: God Passes By, p. 332 and The Local Spiritual Assembly, pp. 6-7, in Lights of Guidance, no. 10)

Assemblies Styled Differently in Future

"...Not only will the present-day Spiritual Assemblies be styled differently in future, but will be enabled also to add to their present functions those powers, duties, and prerogatives necessitated by the recognition of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, not merely as one of the recognized religious systems of the world, but as the State Religion of an independent and Sovereign Power...."

(Shoghi Effendi: The Bahá'í World, Vol. III, p. 108, in Lights of Guidance, no. 11)

Assembly Operates at First Levels of Human Society

"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."

(Message from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of the World, Naw-Ruz 1974, paragraph 13, in Lights of Guidance, no. 12)

Strengthening of Local Spiritual Assemblies--Nerve Centres of Communities (FN1: See also: No. 1988)

"Great attention should be paid to the strengthening of Local Spiritual Assemblies which must act as the nerve centres of the Bahá'í communities in the towns and villages, promote Bahá'í education of the youth and children, and increase cooperation and participation of the believers in Bahá'í community life. Travelling teachers and all who are actively engaged in spreading the Message should rededicate themselves to their vital work and set out with renewed enthusiasm. They should aim at assisting as large a number as possible of Bahá'í communities to stand on their own feet and become capable of carrying out the thrilling tasks which they are called upon to discharge in the Vineyard of God in this Day."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of India, February 8, 1972, in Lights of Guidance, no. 13)

Primary Purpose to Promote Teaching Work

"And since the primary purpose for which Local Spiritual Assemblies are established is to promote the teaching work, it is clear that every National Spiritual Assembly must give careful consideration to ways and means to encourage each Local Assembly under its jurisdiction to fulfil its principal obligation ... it is important that Local Assemblies share with the local friends stories of successes achieved by some of them, descriptions of effective presentations found useful by them, examples of various ways that a Bahá'í subject could be introduced to inquirers, or illustrations of methods which would enable the believer to relate the needs of society to our teachings. Such information and suggestions could be offered to the friends at Nineteen Day Feasts, through a local newsletter, or by any means open to each Local Assembly. In all these contacts with the believers, each Local Spiritual Assembly should impress upon the friends the unique and irreplaceable role the individual plays in the prosecution of any Bahá'í undertaking...."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, March 3, 1977, in Lights of Guidance, no. 14)

Areas Under Jurisdiction of Local Spiritual Assemblies--National Spiritual Assembly Must Study

"The matter of the areas under the jurisdiction of a Local Spiritual Assembly is one which the National Assembly must study, and apply the principles laid down by the Guardian; namely, that within a municipal area, where the people resident in the area pay taxes and vote, the Assembly can be elected, and holds jurisdiction. Anyone living outside of that area is not a member of that Community, and cannot enjoy the administrative privileges of that Community. Although this will affect your Assembly roll, it will place the work of the Faith on a much sounder basis, and increase the number of Centres where Bahá'ís reside... It will challenge the friends to work harder to create new Assemblies and make up for those dissolved...."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand, June 13, 1956: Letters from the Guardian to Australia and New Zealand, pp. 130-131, in Lights of Guidance, no. 15)

Local Spiritual Assemblies--Created by Bahá'u'lláh in His Kitab-i-Aqdas

"As to your query about the Local Spiritual Assembly, it is indeed a divine institution, created by Bahá'u'lláh in His Kitab-i-Aqdas as the Local House of Justice. Abdu'l-Bahá has clearly set out its provenance, authority and duties and has explained the differences between it and other administrative institutions, whether of the past or the present. We refer you to the book 'Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Bahá', sections 37, 38 and 40.

"It is clear that while Local Spiritual Assemblies must supervise all Bahá'í matters in their areas, including arrangements for the Nineteen Day Feast, the observance of the Holy Days, the election of the members of the Assembly, promoting the teaching work, caring for the spiritual welfare and Bahá'í education of the friends and children, etc., they and the friends themselves must at the same time be good citizens and loyal to the civil government, whether it be a Tribal Council, a Cacique or a municipal authority."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil, April 13, 1983, in Lights of Guidance, no. 16)

Subtopics

• Formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies

See also

• Bahá'í group
• National Spiritual Assembly
• Elections