“balance between locally-sponsored teaching activities and nationally-directed projects“ - 13 May 1975

We . . . ask you to encourage the Counselors to try to strike a balance between locally-sponsored teaching activities and nationally-directed projects which should be carried out by the National Spiritual Assembly and its committees within the limits of the manpower and the financial resources at their disposal and at a speed which would enable the consolidation to be effective… The concentration of all teaching efforts in Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . is neither practical nor wise. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated May 13, 1975, to the International Teaching Center, in an unpublished compilation: Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Responsibility of Local Spiritual Assemblies concerning inactive believers - 7 May 1975

The House of Justice has asked us to point out that normally once a person has declared his belief in Bahá'u'lláh and this declaration has been accepted by the Assembly it should be assumed that he continues to be a Bahá'í until he states the contrary. If believers become inactive it is naturally desirable that the Local Spiritual Assemblies attempt to maintain contact with them and encourage them to become active unless, of course, it is obvious that their personal situation precludes such activity. For example, a Bahá'í who is married to a non-Bahá'í may well have to limit his activities to same degree in order to maintain the unity of his family. If during this process of encouragement it becomes apparent that the Bahá'í in question has in fact ceased to believe in Bahá'u'lláh and wishes not to be a member of the Bahá'í community, the Assembly would be fully justified in accepting his withdrawal. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Spain, May 7, 1975; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Responsibility of Local and National Assembly to “educate” the friends about their “sacred obligation” to “contribute to the Funds of the Faith” - 13 April 1975

A corollary to the sacred obligation of the friends to contribute to the Funds of the Faith, is the direct and unavoidable responsibility of each Local and National Assembly to educate them in the spiritual principles related to Bahá'í contributions. Failure to educate the friends in this aspect of the Faith is tantamount to consciously depriving them of the spiritual benefits accruing from giving in the path of God. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies receiving assistance from the Bahá'í International fund, April 13, 1975; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

The role of the National Assembly in case of a tied vote at National Convention - 13 April 1975

In answer to your question about who should decide this matter, the House of Justice states that it is the duty of the tellers to report the entire result of the voting, to the National Spiritual Assembly which has a duty of accepting the tellers' report before it is presented to the Convention. If the National Assembly sees that the ninth place is tied and that one of the persons tied is a member of a minority, it would instruct the tellers to report the results on this basis without calling for a re-vote. If, however, there is any doubt at all as to whether a minority is involved, the Assembly should resolve the matter by instruction that a re-vote for the ninth place should be held. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland, April 13, 1975; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)