It is my fervent prayer and my most cherished desire that
the unfailing guidance of Bahá'u'lláh and the blessings of our beloved Master
will enable them [members of National Spiritual Assemblies] to set a high and
true example to all other Bahá'í institutions and Local Assemblies, and will
show them what absolute harmony, mature deliberation and whole-hearted
co-operation can achieve. Should such a representative and responsible body
fail to realize this fundamental requisite for all successful achievement, the
whole structure is sure to crumble, and the Great Plan of the Future, as
unfolded by the Master's Will and Testament, will be rudely disturbed and
grievously delayed.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 9 April 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi
to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, published
in ‘Bahá'í Administration: Selected Messages 1922-1932’; The Compilation of
Compilations, vol. I, National Spiritual Assembly)
