Membership on an Assembly imposes upon the believer the
spiritual responsibility to become an active participant in its work, to be
fully informed of its endeavors, and to ensure that its functioning is in
accord with Bahá’í principles. Every Assembly member should recognize that he
has a duty to ensure that his voice is heard and that appropriate consideration
is given to his views. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has stated that consultation succeeds in
avoiding “ill-feeling or discord” when “every member expresseth with absolute
freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument,” with the further
affirmation by the Guardian that “it is not only the right but the sacred
obligation of every member to express freely and openly his views, without
being afraid of displeasing or alienating any of his fellow members,” and “The
Assembly members must have the courage of their convictions, but must also express
wholehearted and unqualified obedience to the well considered judgment and
directions of the majority of their fellow members.”
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 22
June 1989 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National
Spiritual Assembly)
