Inscription on a headstone - September 17, 1971

Concerning the questions you ask in postscript, there is no specific ruling regarding the type of headstone that may be used at a grave site. However, regarding the inscription on a headstone, the beloved Guardian asked the believers not to use any form of the Greatest Name but a nine-pointed star may be used. Or, you may wish to have an appropriate text from the Sacred Writings inscribed on the headstone. The position of the body in the grave should be with the feet pointing toward the Qiblih, which is Bahji in 'Akká.  

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated September 17, 1971 to an individual believer; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Avoid reading long, wordy letters at Nineteen Day Feasts - September 6, 1971

We note from reading your minutes that the enthusiasm of some of the new believers is being tested by the reading of long, wordy letters at Nineteen Day Feasts, and we think that something should be done about this. While it is important that the believers be informed about important messages from the Holy Land and other important items, it is true that the reading of messages at Nineteen Day Feasts can become a very boring and trying experience particularly for new believers not acquainted with many aspects of Bahá'í administration. We think you should consider other ways and means by which believers could be informed of vital and necessary information, such as through bulletins, institutes and other meetings. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 6 September 1971 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Nineteen Day Feast)

Temporary structure could be raised on endowment land - August 30, 1971

Endowment land cannot, at the same time, be used as another Bahá'í institution such as Haziratu'l-Quds or a Teaching Institute. There is no objection to erecting a temporary structure on endowment land for the convenience of friends who may visit it or have gatherings there provided that if its used becomes of a permanent nature it would be necessary to acquire a new Endowment." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter to a National Spiritual Assembly, August 30, 1971; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Status of children under the age of 15 years who wish to become Bahá'ís - August 29, 1971

We have your letter of 18th August 1971 concerning the status of children under the age of 15 years who wish to become Bahá'ís. We share with you an extract of a letter on the subject written on behalf of the beloved Guardian by his secretary:

Up to the age of 15 years, children are under the direction of their parents. At the age of 15, they may declare their Faith as a conviction, and be registered as Bahá'í youth, whether the parents are Bahá'ís or not. Children under the age of 15, of Bahá'í parents who wish to attend meeting and associate with the friends as Bahá'ís may do so. If non-Bahá'í parents permit a child of less than 15 to attend Bahá'í meetings, and in fact, to be a Bahá'í, this is likewise permissible. (To the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany, dated July 23, 1954)

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 29 August, 1971 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia; compilation: 'Lights of Guidance')

Enlisting in Armed Forces - August 2, 1971

Bahá'ís cannot voluntarily enlist in any branch of the Armed Forces where they would be subject to orders to engage in the taking of human life. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From the letter dated 2 August, 1971 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Fiji Islands; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Administering earmark contributions - 29 July 1971

Care must be taken that the purpose of earmarking is not defeated. Thus the use of earmarked funds to defray the expense of particular items in your budget has the effect of reducing, pro tanto, the amount of general contributions needed to be applied to the budget. In effect, this practice may result in there being no difference between an earmarked contribution and one not earmarked. For example: A friend may earmark a contribution for the Baha'i International Fund. To apply this to the contribution to the Baha'i International Fund from your National Fund would be wrong unless the earmarking so specifies. Funds earmarked merely to the Baha'i International Fund should be sent to the World Centre in addition to whatever contribution is made from the National Fund. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 29 July 1971 to a National Spiritual Assembly; included in a compilation prepared by the World Center concerning "The Need for Care in Handling Bahá'í Funds", sent to all National Spiritual Assemblies on 22 November 1985; Compilation: ‘Baha’i Funds’, prepared by the Baha’i World Center)

Use of symbols - July 29, 1971

Regarding the use of symbolism in art, the following extracts from letters written to two individuals by the House of Justice may provide the answer you seek:

We see no objection to the use of natural phenomena as symbols to illustrate the significance of the three Central Figures, Bahá'í Laws, and Bahá'í Administration; and we also appreciate the suitability of using visual symbols to express abstract concepts. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 29 July 1971; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, The Importance of Arts in Promoting the Faith)

Invalid ballots and votes in Baha’i elections - July 29, 1971

Under certain conditions an entire ballot may be declared invalid. These are: (1) More than nine names on ballot paper; (2) Less than nine names on ballot paper; (3) Duplication of names. Under other conditions, because of specified irregularities, one or more of the names may be invalidated but the rest of the ballot would be considered valid. These irregularities are: (1) A name not identifiable, or illegible; (2) The name of an ineligible person, such as a youth or person not resident in the jurisdiction of the voting area, provided of course that each ballot contains no more or less than nine names and no name has been duplicated. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated July 29, 1971, to a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Instruction of Tellers; Election of Assembly officers - July 21, 1971

It is for your National Assembly to determine how to properly instruct the delegates beforehand in the recording of identical names on ballots and to give the tellers guidelines for handling these questions when they arise in the counting of the ballots. Thereafter, it is for the tellers to make the decision and give the results to the Convention or Assembly... 

Q. In the case of a tie between five persons for three vacancies should the names of the five be read for the delegates vote?

A. Yes.

Q. In voting for officers is it permissible to read the names of those persons who have tied?

A. When voting for officers of an Assembly a result is only reached when one member receives five or more votes. Until that result is reached all members are eligible for the office in question and the results of all inconclusive ballots should be made know to the meeting. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 21 July 1971 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Jamaica; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Custody of children in a divorce - July 13, 1971

Since custody of the children is already before the civil courts we feel you should not become involved in it. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated July 13, 1971, to a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

National Convention - July 6, 1971

As the principal purpose of Convention, apart from the election of the National Spiritual Assembly, is the consultation of the delegates with the National Spiritual Assembly, as much time as possible should be made available for the delegates to consult. It is clear that the exigencies of modern life limit the length which is practicable for a National Convention but you may wish to consider starting your Convention on the Friday evening at the latest so that the delegates may gather and deal with the preliminaries, thus enabling them to begin the full work of the Convention first thing on the Saturday morning. Naturally, any introductions of subjects or presentation of matters to the Convention should be kept as brief as possible to allow the greatest amount of time for consultation and you may therefore find it helpful to provide a number of reports to the delegates in advance in written form. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 6 July 1971 to a National Spiritual Assembly; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, The National Convention)