Parental marriage consent - July 19, 1972

You will note that the aspect of protecting the child from making the wrong decision is not mentioned in any . . . quotations as a reason for the law, [concerning parental consent] although it may well play a part in the parents' decision as they have the obligation to consider the welfare and happiness of their children at all times. However limited our understanding of this and other laws given us by Bahá'u'lláh, we are assured that the divine blessings await those who place their reliance in Him and obey His commandments. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated July 19, 1972 , to two believers; Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Payment of Huququ’llah - July 12, 1972

Payment of Huququ'lláh has not yet been applied to the western world. It will undoubtedly be universal at some future time but at present the believers in the West are able to discharge their material obligations to the Cause by contribution to the Funds. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 12 July 1972; compilation on ‘Huququ’llah, The Right of God’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)

Breaking a tie vote in LSA election - July 4, 1972

Regarding your question about the breaking of tie votes, a balloting to break such a tie vote for members of a Spiritual Assembly may be held after the first day of Ridvan if necessary, but obviously the day of balloting should not be delayed too long. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated July 4, 1972, to a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Horse Racing, Betting and Raffles - June 20, 1972

Although we have not found any text which forbids the owning of race horses, horse racing as a means of winning the prize money and betting at race courses, we quote the translation of a Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Bahá on horse racing:

“Betting on horse racing is a pernicious disease. It hath been seen in Europe what distress this hath caused. Thousands have become afflicted and distraught. The friends of God must engage in work which is lawful and attracteth blessings, so that God's aid and bounty may always surround them.” (Translated from the Persian)

We do not feel...that it is appropriate for funds for the Faith to be raised through raffles." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated June 20, 1972 to a National Spiritual Assembly,: Extracts Concerning Gambling, Lotteries and Raffles, a compilation of the Universal House of Justice; compilations: Lights of Guidance)

“land from the government to be used as a Temple site” – “not possible” - June 15, 1972

It is not possible to accept a free grant of land from the government to be used as a Temple site. The principle of not accepting gifts from non-Bahá'ís for strictly Bahá'í purposes applies to receiving free grants of land from non-Bahá'ís, whether individuals, institutions, or governments. There is no objection, however, to accepting free plots of land from the government or civic authorities if such plots are used for Bahá'í cemeteries or such institutions that are charitable or humanitarian in nature, such as schools. 

- The Universal House of justice  (From a letter dated June 15, 1972; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Efforts at reconciliation during the Year of Waiting - May 24, 1972

…it is highly desirable that further efforts at reconciliation should be made, [during the Year of Waiting] but if no reconciliation is attained, the divorce may be realized. The Assembly has no authority to withhold the divorce on the ground that one party has made no real effort toward reconciliation." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated May 24, 1972, to a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Setting the date for the beginning of the Year of Waiting - May 24, 1972

If no reconciliation is possible, and actual repugnance is found to exist between the parties, then the Assembly may record a date which is the beginning of the year of waiting. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated May 24, 1972 to a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Baha’i divorce - May 24, 1972

In the strict legal sense there are no "grounds" for a Bahá'í divorce. No question of misbehavior of either party is involved and the only condition under which a Bahá'í divorce may be considered is the irreconcilable antipathy of the parties. Thus it is not sufficient that one or both of the parties has asked that the date for the beginning of the year of waiting be fixed; the Assembly must find the condition of irreconcilable antipathy to exist before the date can be fixed. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated May 24, 1972 to a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)