Teaching the Faith
embraces many diverse activities, all of which are vital to success, and each
of which reinforce the other. Time and again the beloved Guardian emphasized
that expansion and consolidation are twin and inseparable aspects to teaching
that must proceed simultaneously yet one still hears believers discussing the
virtues of one as against the other. The purpose of teaching is not complete
when a person declares that he has accepted Bahá'u'lláh as the Manifestation of
God for this age; the purpose of teaching is to attract human beings to the
Divine Message and so imbue them with its spirit that they will dedicate
themselves to its service, and this world will become another world and its
people another people. Viewed in this light a declaration of Faith is merely a
milestone along the way -- albeit a very important one. Teaching may also be
likened to kindling a fire, the fire of faith, in the hearts of men. If a fire
burns only so long as the match is held to it, it cannot truly be said to have
been kindled; to be kindled it must continue to burn of its own accord.
Thereafter more fuel can be added and the flame can be fanned, but even if left
alone for a period, a truly kindled fire will not be extinguished by the first
breath of wind.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter to all National
Spiritual Assemblies, May 25, 1975; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)
