Local Spiritual Assemblies need to adopt goals - 24 December 1975

Many Local Spiritual Assemblies do not meet, because they do not know or see what they should meet about. A compilation on the functions of a Local Spiritual Assembly, or the By-Laws of a Local Assembly will not usually provide the impetus to the members to meet. one of the stipulations of the Five Year Plan is the desirability for each Local Assembly to have local goals. Just as there are international and national goals, there should be local goals for each Local Assembly and throughout the Bahá'í world. These goals, as indicated in our Naw-Ruz 1974 Message, can either be adopted spontaneously by the Local Assemblies, or assigned to them by the National Spiritual Assembly. The adoption of a local plan by the Local Assembly can exert a far-reaching influence on its work and on the life of the community. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From dated December 24, 1975 to a National Spiritual Assembly in Africa,; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Adoption of local goals, creation of assignment of committees, and announcement to the friends - 24 December 1975

When the goals are finally decided upon, it is important that they should be announced to the friends. It should be borne in mind that Shoghi Effendi longed to see every believer involved in Bahá'í service, so that universal participation may be achieved. It would be most effective if the Local Assembly, prior to such an announcement, would appoint local committees, to each of which a branch of activity or one or more of the local goals could be assigned. Such committees need not consist of many members. When the committee appointments are made, the Local Assembly will be fully prepared to announce its goals and its committee appointments to the community at a Nineteen Day Feast or a specially called meeting of the community. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (Letter dated December 24, 1975 to a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Impact of an adoption of a local plan on the community - 24 December 1975

The adoption of a local plan by the Local Assembly can exert a far-reaching influence on its work and on the life of the community. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (Letter dated December 24, 1975, to a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Age of maturity and membership of the Baha’i community - 12 December 1975

Upon attaining the age of fifteen a child becomes spiritually mature and is responsible for stating on his own behalf whether or not he wishes to remain a member of the Bahá'í community. If he does not then reaffirm his faith, he must be treated, administratively, as a non-Bahá'í. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (Letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, dated December 12, 1975; Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)