... The institution of the Hands of the Cause of God was
brought into existence in the time of Bahá'u'lláh and when the Administrative
Order was proclaimed and formally established by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Will, it
became an auxiliary institution of the Guardianship. The Auxiliary Boards, in
their turn, were brought into being by Shoghi Effendi as an auxiliary
institution of the Hands of the Cause.
- The Universal House of Justice (From letter of the Universal House of
Justice to the Continental Boards of Counsellors and National Spiritual
Assemblies, April 24, 1972; ‘Messages from The Universal House of Justice,
1968-1973’; Compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)