In our dealings with the believers, however, apart from the
need to give priority to the needs of the Faith, one has to bear in mind, as
you point out in your letter, such considerations as wisdom as well as the
importance of avoiding actions that may jeopardize our cordial relationships
with the believers. If the individual believer is unable personally and
prayerfully to resolve such a problem, he should, as each case may indicate,
either himself refer to the Spiritual Assembly for guidance, or refer the
believers to that institution. A Bahá'í who wishes to help his needy
fellow-believer may do so by extending his assistance either personally, or
impersonally through the Spiritual Assembly if he feels that this method will
provide the means to objectively assess the real needs involved, or will
maintain and preserve better relationship between him and the believer
concerned.
This is just one more reason why we should endeavor to
support, strengthen the foundations, and foster the development of Local
Spiritual Assemblies so that they may become rallying points of the friends and
the true shepherds of the Divine flock.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter written on behalf of the
Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, April 9, 1973;
compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)
