Marriage “is not the central purpose of life” - 6 February 1973

It should, moreover, be born in mind that although to be married is highly desirable, and Bahá'u'lláh has strongly recommended it, it is not the central purpose of life. If a person has to wait a considerable period before finding a spouse, or if ultimately, he or she must remain single, it does not mean that he or she is thereby unable to fulfill his or her life's purpose. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 6 February 1973 to an individual believer; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973’)

Obeying Baha’i laws will “strengthen our own characters” and “influence those around us” - 6 February 1973

To give one very obvious example: the Bahá'í law requiring consent of parents to marriage. All too often nowadays such consent is withheld by non-Bahá'í parents for reasons of bigotry or racial prejudice; yet we have seen again and again the profound effect on those very parents of the firmness of the children in the Bahá'í law, to the extent that not only is the consent ultimately given in many cases, but the character of the parents can be affected and their relationship with their child greatly strengthened.

Thus, by upholding Bahá'í law in the face of all difficulties we not only strengthen our own characters but influence those around us. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter to an individual believer, excerpts from letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies, February 6, 1973; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973’)

Singing or chanting prayers in unison - 6 February 1973

We have your letter of 22 January, 1973 asking whether it is proper for choirs or groups to sing or chant prayers in unison.

In answering a similar from the National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda and Central Africa about congregation singing in services at the House of Worship we said:

“Singing by a congregation present at a service in the House of Worship should not be confused with congregational prayer prescribed by Bahá'u'lláh for the dead...

“Regarding singing in the Temple, we must bear in mind the reference made by Bahá'u'lláh in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas to the need for the person who enters the Temple to sit silent to the chanting of the verses of God...

“In connection with the desire of the Africans to sing, this aptitude in them should be encouraged. The Guardian elucidated this principle in letter written on his behalf by his secretary: 'Shoghi Effendi would urge that choir singing by men, women and children be encouraged in the Auditorium, and that rigidity in the Bahá'í service be scrupulously avoided.’(Bahá'í News, September, 1931)” 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia, February 6, 1973; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Setting prayers to music - 6 February 1973

It is entirely proper to set prayers to music, and the friends are free to sing prayers in unison. Indeed, assuming that the music is appropriate and that the believers do not make a ritual out of it, it is highly praiseworthy for choirs to sing appropriate verses revealed by Bahá'u'lláh and the Master...

We would assume also that the friends will always keep in mind that whether read, chanted or sung, prayers should be uttered with proper sense of reverence." 

- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia, February 6, 1973; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

The “purpose of this life is to prepare the soul for the next” - 6 February 1973

In considering the effect of obedience to the laws on individual lives, one must remember that the purpose of this life is to prepare the soul for the next. Here one must learn to control and direct one's animal impulses, not to be a slave to them. Life in this world is a succession of tests and achievements, of falling short and of making new spiritual advances. Sometimes the course may seem very hard, but one can witness, again and again, that the soul who steadfastly obeys the Law of Bahá'u'lláh, however hard it may seem, grows spiritually, while the one who compromises with the law for the sake of his own apparent happiness is seen to have been following a chimera: he does not attain the happiness he sought, he retards his spiritual advance and often brings new problems upon himself. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter to an individual believer, excerpts from letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies, February 6, 1973; compilations: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

“marriage is by no means an obligation” - 6 February 1973

...Of course, under normal circumstances, every person should consider it his moral duty to marry. And this is what Bahá'u'lláh has encouraged the believers to do. But marriage is by no means an obligation. In the last resort it is for the individual to decide whether he wishes to lead a family life or live in a state of celibacy. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter to an individual believer, May 3, 1936; cited by the Universal House of Justice, in a letter to an individual believer, February 6, 1973: ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973’; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Sexual intercourse “permissible only between a man and the woman who is his wife” - 6 February 1973

The Bahá'í teaching on sexual intercourse is very clear. It is permissible only between a man and the woman who is his wife ... 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated February 6, 1973 to all National Spiritual Assemblies; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

“Just as there are laws governing our physical lives… there are laws governing our spiritual lives.” - 6 February 1973

Just as there are laws governing our physical lives, requiring that we must supply our bodies with certain foods, maintain them within a certain range of temperatures, and so forth, if we wish to avoid physical disabilities, so also there are laws governing our spiritual lives. These laws are revealed to mankind in each age by Manifestation of God, and obedience to them is of vital importance if each human being, and mankind in general, is to develop properly and harmoniously. Moreover, these various aspects are interdependent. If an individual violates the spiritual laws for his own development he will cause injury not only to himself but to the society in which he lives. Similarly, the condition of society has a direct effect on the individuals who must live within it. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; excerpts to all National Spiritual Assemblies, February, 1973: Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973’; Compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Games & raffles – inappropriate medium to raise funds for the Faith - 29 January 1973

As to participation in Bingo games by a Local Spiritual Assembly with the intention of contributing to the Fund, we do not feel it is appropriate for funds for the Faith to be raised through games of chance or raffles. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, January 29, 1973; Compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Voting procedure - 21 January 1973

The same procedure in voting should be followed, namely, the ballot should be placed and sealed in an unmarked inner envelop and that envelop placed in an outer envelope marked with the name of the voter... 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, January 21, 1973; compilations: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Huququ’llah – paying the amount due on one’s inheritance - 21 January 1973

We are deeply touched by your loving letter of 27 December, 1972 expressing the wish to follow the law of Huqúqu'lláh with respect to your inheritance from your mother.

Although, as you correctly state, this Law is not at present applicable to the friends in the West, any believer is free to observe it if he wishes.

This Law of the Aqdas stipulates that nineteen per cent of one's capital is payable as Huqúqu'lláh when such capital has reached an amount of at least "nineteen mithqáls in gold".... In determining the amount a believer should pay, he should first deduct any debts and expenses he may have, and pay nineteen per cent of the remainder of his capital if it is equal to at least nineteen mithqáls of gold.

If you decide that you wish to observe this Law of the Aqdas at the present time, you should determine the total value of your inheritance in cash and other assets less any expenses or debts you may have, and consider the circumstances under which you may be able to pay Huqúqu'lláh on the net value of your inheritance. The time and conditions of payment are left to each individual.

A warm social activity before the start of a Nineteen Day Feast - 21 January 1973

We can understand the desire of some of the friends to provide a warm welcome at the Feasts to newly declared believers and particularly youth, and we see no objection to the Assembly giving a reception before the actual Feast to achieve this purpose. As the Feast is frequently held in the evening, the Assembly might consider it desirable to arrange for the believers to have a light evening meal together before the Feast is held or it could, for example, arrange for social activities of an appropriate kind while the friends are gathering prior to the actual commencement of the Nineteen Day Feast. This should not, however, take the place of the social part of the Feast itself. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 1 January 1973, to the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Nineteen Day Feast)

Influence of the Faith on arts - 17 January 1973

While it is quite true that individual artists such as Mark Tobey and others have undoubtedly been inspired and influenced by their love for the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, it is far too early in the Bahá'í Dispensation to talk about the influence of the Faith on the arts in general. Indeed the beloved Guardian himself has pointed out that there is, as yet, no such thing as Bahá'í art although there is no doubt from statements in the writings that a wonderful efflorescence of new and beautiful arts may be anticipated in the future. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 17 January 1973 to a National Spiritual Assembly; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, The Importance of Arts in Promoting the Faith)

“homosexuality is not a condition to which a person should be reconciled” -12 January 1973

A number of sexual problems, such as homosexuality and trans-sexuality can well have medical aspects, and in such cases recourse should certainly be made to the best medical assistance. But it is clear from the teaching of Bahá'u'lláh that homosexuality is not a condition to which a person should be reconciled, but is a distortion of his or her nature which should be controlled and overcome. This may require a hard struggle, but so also can be the struggle of a heterosexual person to control his or her desires. The exercise of self-control in this, as in so very many other aspects of life, has a beneficial effect on the progress of the soul. It should, moreover, be borne in mind that although to be, married is highly desirable, and Bahá'u'lláh has strongly recommended it, it is not the central purpose of life. If a person has to wait a considerable period before finding a spouse, or if ultimately, he or she must remain single, it does not mean that he or she is thereby unable to fulfil his or her life's purpose." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, January 12, 1973; cited in Messages from The Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Believer should ensure that he will be buried according to Bahá'í law - 31 December 1972

The friends should certainly be informed of the Bahá'í laws relating to burial and encouraged to do all they can to ensure after their passing they are buried according to Bahá'í law. It is not always possible to ensure this by stating it in a will and assemblies should consult upon the matter, taking legal advice if necessary, and make the best arrangements possible. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, December 31, 1972; compilations, ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Prohibition on drinking - 21 December 1972

Under no circumstances should Bahá'ís drink. It is unambiguously forbidden in the Tablet of Bahá'u'lláh, that there is no excuse for them even touching it in the form of a toast, or in a burning plum pudding; in fact, in any way. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, March 3, 1957: Cited in a letter from the Universal House of Justice to the National Assembly of Ecuador, December 21, 1972; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Portrayal of any Manifestation of God Forbidden - 3 December 1972

Your understanding that the portrayal of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh in works of art is forbidden, is correct. The Guardian made it clear that this prohibition refers to all Manifestations of God; photographs, or reproductions of portraits, of the Master may be used in books, but no attempt should be made to portray Him in dramatic or other works where He would be one of the 'dramatic personae'. However, there can be no objection to symbolic representation of such Holy Figures, provided it does not become a ritual and that the symbol used is not irreverent." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice, December 3, 1972; compilation: Lights of Guidance)

Portrayals of Holy Figures - 3 December 1972

With reference to your question whether the Figures of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh should be made to appear as characters in dramatic works written by the believers, Shoghi Effendi's opinion is that such an attempt to dramatize the Manifestations would be highly disrespectful, and hence should be avoided by the friends, even in the case of the Master. Besides it would be practically impossible to carry out such a plan faithfully, and in a dignified and befitting manner. (Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, January 27, 1935, in Bahá'í News, #90, March 1935)

However, there can be no objection to symbolic representation of such Holy Figures, provided it does not become a ritual and that the symbol used is not irreverent. (Letter from the Universal House of Justice, dated December 3, 1972; Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

When parents of a youth who has accepted Baha’u’llah, oppose his/her withdrawal from the Church - 6 November 1972

We fully appreciate the problem, posed in the case of youth who accept Bahá'u'lláh but whose parents strongly oppose their withdrawal from the Church. In such cases where the parents oppose their withdrawal and insistence upon it by the youth would undermine the unity of the family it is permissible for the withdrawal to be postponed until the youth attains the age of 21. This would not, of course, in any way affect his acceptance into the Bahá'í community. As you mention, this is the very time at which such a newly-declared believer needs all the deepening and confirmation he can receive. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 6 November 1972; Developing Distinctive Baha’i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)