“The primary tasks of the Propagation Boards” - 10 October 1976

The primary tasks of the Propagation Boards, however, are to direct the believers' attention to the goals of whatever plans have been placed before them, to stimulate and assist them to promote the teaching work in the fields of proclamation, expansion, consolidation and pioneering, to encourage contributions to the funds, and to act as standard-bearers of the teachers of the Faith, leading them to new achievements in the diffusion of God's Message to their fellow human beings. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated October 10, 1976, to the International Teaching Center; compilation: ‘Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities’, prepared by NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Which matters should be referred to which Auxiliary Board member - 10 October 1976

The question has been raised as to how Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual believers are to know which matters they should refer to which Auxiliary Board member. We feel that this will be worked out at the local level in the light of experience, and that meanwhile the Assemblies and believers should not concern themselves unduly about it. They should feel free to refer to either Board, and if the Auxiliary Board member feels that the matter would better have been referred to his colleague, he can either himself pass the question on, or suggest the different approach to the Assembly or believer. This is similar to the situation, already familiar to Board members, when they have referred to them a matter which should properly be dealt with by a National Spiritual Assembly or one of its committees. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated October 10, 1976, to the International Teaching Center; compilation: ‘Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities’, prepared by NSA of USA, 1998 edition; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Registration of Baha’i children where one parent is not a Baha’i - 3 October 1976

It is within the discretion of your National Spiritual Assembly to determine whether children should be registered as Bahá'ís in cases where one parent is not a Bahá'í. Although children of Bahá'í parents, under age 15, are generally considered Bahá'ís, there may be circumstances in which they should not be registered as such, and this is also left to your discretion. Local Spiritual Assemblies should help by advising the parents to consider it one of their primary obligations to raise their children in a spirit of love and dedication towards the Faith. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, dated October 3, 1976; compilation: ‘Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities’, prepared by NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

Restoration of voting rights - 21 September 1976

When believers who have been deprived of their voting rights have moved into the area of jurisdiction of another National Spiritual Assembly they are under the jurisdiction of that Assembly. When they apply for the restoration of their voting rights that Assembly should correspond with the National Assembly which applied the sanction in order to obtain the full particular of the case and also any views the Assembly may have on the matter of restoration. It is then for the National Assembly in whose jurisdiction the believers are living to decide the matter and take action accordingly.

In answer to the second question in your letter of 17 May 1976, no hard and fast rule can be laid down. It can happen, for example, that voting rights are removed mistakenly and the incorrect action of the Assembly is the basis for the believer's application for their restoration. If the voting rights have been removed justifiably it is generally sufficient for the believer to take the necessary actions to have them restored; his application for restoration and compliance with the requirements of Bahá'í law are sufficient evidence of repentance. However, if the Assembly sees that the believer does not understand the reason for the deprivation and has a rebellious attitude it should endeavor to make the matter clear to him If his attitude is one of contempt for the Bahá'í law and his actions have been in serious violation of its requirements, the Assembly may even be justified in extending the period of deprivation beyond the time of the rectification of the situation -- but such cases, by their nature, are very rare. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Peru, September 21, 1976; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Responsibilities of Spiritual Assemblies in administering Baha’i Marriage - 2 September 1976

In considering the acceptability of the witnesses the Assembly must be satisfied as to their reliability. Pertinent to this is the reply given by Bahá'u'lláh when asked for a definition of the qualifications of those who may be called upon to give testimony or bear witness. His reply was that a witness must be of "good reputation among men," and "the testimony of followers of any faith is acceptable to God." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated September 2, 1976, to an individual believer; compilation: NSA of USA - Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

“With reference to the matter of the consent of the parents to a Bahá'í marriage; as this is a vital binding obligation, it is the duty of the Assemblies to ascertain, before giving their sanction, that the consent obtained has been given freely by the parents themselves.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in ‘Principles of Bahá'í Administration’)

We must recognize that Bahá'u'lláh established institutions which are the bulwark of His World Order. One of these is the Local Spiritual Assembly which, amongst its other responsibilities, is called upon to administer the laws governing marriage. Although it is not necessary to obtain "permission" to marry from the Assembly, there are certain requirements which must be met before a Bahá'í marriage can take place, such as presentation to and acceptance by the Assembly of consent of all living natural parents and whatever civil documents, if any, are necessary according to local law. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated September 2, 1976, to an individual believer; compilation: NSA of USA - Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)