The Kitab-i-Aqdas and the Destiny of America

1. The Kitab-i-Aqdas and the Destiny of America

2. Century of Light

3. The Glory of God “What makes this insight possible for us is the light shed by the rising Sun of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and the influence it has come to exercise in human affairs.” Century of Light, Introduction

4. Revelation of the Promised One of all ages “The world’s equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind’s ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System - the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed.” Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Aqdas parag. 181

16. The Remedy “That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith.” Bahá’u’lláh (Century of Light, p. 144)

17. Political Peace -Symptom Therapy “Now that ye have refused the Most Great Peace, hold ye fast unto this, the Lesser Peace, that haply ye may in some degree better your own condition and that of your dependents.” (The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 120)

18. The Major Plan of God Tumultuous in its progress Working through humanity as a whole Unconscious Suffering and experience Tearing down barriers towards unity Unified body without life The Lesser Peace The Minor Plan of God Working through the Bahá’í community Conscious of the Source Detailed instructions Continuing divine guidance Breathing life into body Creating true unity and spirituality The Most Great Peace Twin Processes at work in the World

19. The Major Plan of God "Its agency for the most part is the people who are ignorant of its course and even antagonistic towards its aim." (Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 1998) Shoghi Effendi declared that God's Major Plan uses "both the mighty and lowly as the pawns in His world-shaping game, for the fulfilment of His immediate purpose and the eventual establishment of His Kingdom on earth." (Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 140)

20. Two Great Processes

21. Twin Processes • Two Plans • Two Revolutions • World-shaking, world-embracing • Dialectic of crisis and victory

22. Arouses hopes Rise of democracies Emancipation of women Abolition of slavery League of Nations United Nations Technological and scientific advancement Peace movements Creates fears First World War Second World War Weapons of mass destruction Neo-colonialism International terrorism AIDS epidemic Breakdown of family Environmental pollution Major Plan of God -paradoxical quality

23. Spiritual Evolution Infancy Childhood Adolescence Adulthood Social Evolution Family unit Tribes City states Nation states World unity The Organic Evolution of Mankind

24. Sun of Truth Universal effect Major Plan of God Universal transformation Unconscious of Source Advances in social thought and sciences The Lesser Peace Specific effect Minor Plan of God Individual transformation Conscious of Source New race of men Convergence The Most Great Peace

25. 1. Divine Revelation is the motive power of civilisation “There can be no doubt whatever, that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source and are the subjects of one God.” Bahá'u'lláh (Gleanings CXI)

28. The testimony of Bahá'u'lláh “Know thou that when the Son of Man yielded up His breath to God, the whole creation wept with a great weeping. By sacrificing Himself, however, a fresh capacity was infused into all created things. Its evidences, as witnessed in all the peoples of the earth, are now manifest before thee...

29. “...The deepest wisdom which the sages have uttered, the profoundest learning which any mind hath unfolded, the arts which the ablest hands have produced, the influence exerted by the most potent of rulers, are but manifestations of the quickening power released by His transcendent, His all-pervasive, and resplendent Spirit...” Bahá'u'lláh (Gleanings XXXVI)

30. Universal Effect of DivineRevelation “A new life is, in this age, stirring within all the peoples of the earth, yet none hath discovered its cause or perceived its motive.” (Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings XCVI)

34. Divine Revelation is the Motive Power of Civilisation “Verily, We behold all created things moved to bear witness unto Us. Some know Us and bear witness, while the majority bear witness, yet know Us not.” (Lawh-i-Aqdas, Tablet to the Christians, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p15)

35. The Minor Plan of God:Phenomenon of Sun Rise “In the East the light of His Revelation hath broken; in the West have appeared the signs of His dominion. Ponder this in your hearts, O people…Should they attempt to conceal its light on the continent, it will assuredly rear its head in the midmost heart of the ocean, and, raising its voice, proclaim:’I am the life-giver of the world.’” Bahá’u’lláh, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p.78

36. East- West Phenomenon “From the beginning of time until the present day, the light of Divine Revelation hath risen in the East and shed its radiance upon the West. The illumination thus shed hath, however, acquired in the West an extraordinary brilliancy. Consider the Faith proclaimed by Jesus. Though it first appeared in the East, yet not until its light had been shed upon the West did the full measure of its potentialities become manifest…”

37. Sun Rise “The East hath verily been illumined with the light of the Kingdom. Ere long will this same light shed a still greater illumination upon the West. Then will the hearts of its peoples be vivified through the potency of the teachings of God and their souls be set aglow by the undying fire of His love.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p.79

38. Two parallel processes • Closely interrelated developments • Associated with the dawn of world peace • Will culminate in a single consummation

39. Dawn of World Peace • The North American Bahá’í Community • The USA as a nation

40. Why America? 1 “ALL countries, in the estimation of the one true God, are but one country, and all cities and villages are on an equal footing. Neither holds distinction over another. All of them are the fields of God and the habitation of the souls of men…”

41. Why America? 2 “Through faith and certitude, and the precedence achieved by one over another, however, the dweller conferreth honor upon the dwelling, some of the countries achieve distinction, and attain a preeminent position…”

42. The Holy Land “…Palestine became the glory of all nations inasmuch as all the holy and divine Manifestations, from the time of Abraham until the appearance of the Seal of the Prophets (Muhammad), have lived in, or migrated to, or traveled through, that country. Likewise, Mecca and Medina have achieved illimitable glory, as the light of Prophethood shone forth therein. For this reason Palestine and Hijaz have been distinguished from all other countries.”

43. Why America? 3 “Likewise, the continent of America is, in the eyes of the one true God, the land wherein the splendors of His light shall be revealed, where the mysteries of His Faith shall be unveiled, where the righteous will abide and the free assemble.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p.61

44. The North American Bahá’í Community • A matchless and brilliant record of service • Cradle and stronghold of the New World Order

45. Historical Perspective • Appreciation of west-ward expansion vital for present-day Bahá’ís: • Abstract ourselves from culture of coarse and intrusive communication • Gentleness of the Master in teaching human nature and society • His use of metaphors or historical examples • Indirectness of His approach • His limitless patience • The spiritual greatness of those who responded to Him Century of Light, p.17

46. Lacking talent, rank or riches Tender age Tiny numbers Limited experience Grave crises Inspired wisdom United will Incorruptible loyalty of its administrators and teachers The American Community 2

47. The American Community 3 “…Achieved the distinction of an undisputed leadership among its sister communities of East and West in hastening the advent of the Golden Age anticipated by Bahá’u’lláh.” Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 72

48. History of American Bahá’í Community • 1893-1903 • Pilgrimages of American believers to the shrine of Bahá’u’lláh • 1903-1913 • Tests and trials • ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America • 1913-1923 • Consolidation • Birth of Bahá’í Administration • 1923-1933 • Expansion of international activities • Completion of Mashriqu’l-Adhkar

49. 1893-1903 • Epoch-making visit of first American pilgrims “fired the souls of its members with a love and zeal which no amount of adversity could quench”

50. Historic Pilgrimages • 15 believers, 10 December 1898 • Intimate personal contact with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá • God-intoxicated pilgrims • May Bolles returns to Paris - first European community • Others return to America