Quotes Demonstrating the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh Definitely Anticipates a Succession of Guardians as the Head of the Universal House of Justice.

 

“First Guardian of the Baha'i Faith and Head of the Universal House of Justice.”  Shoghi Effendi.  World Order of Baha’u’llah, p. xiii.

 

“According to the provisions of His Will, I, as His eldest grandson, have been appointed as First Guardian of the Baha'i Faith and Head of the Universal House of Justice which must, in conjunction with me, coordinate and direct the affairs of the various Baha'i communities in East and West in accordance with the principles enunciated by Baha’u’llah.”  Shoghi Effendi quoted by Martha Root.  Tahirih the Pure, p. 140.

 

In this Dispensation, divine guidance flows on to us in this world after the Prophet's ascension, through first the Master, and then the Guardians.  (Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i News, June 1950, p. 8)

“The First Guardian of the Baha'i Faith.”  Guidance for Today and Tomorrow, title page.

 

“He appointed in His Will and Testament His eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, as first Guardian of the Cause, and left directions for the election of an International Council (Baytu’l-Ahd’l, i.e. House of Justice) based on the universal suffrage of the believers, which should in conjunction with him guide the development of the Movement and co-ordinate the activities of its followers in accordance with the principles laid down by Baha’u’llah.” The Baha'i World, Vol. 2, p. 6.

 

“This glorious handiwork of the first Guardian of the Cause of God…”  The Baha'i World, Vol. 5, p. 90.

“Shoghi Effendi, his eldest grandson, was named as the first in a succession of hereditary Guardians. The Guardian is the authoritative interpreter of the holy writings and the permanent head of the Universal House of Justice, the supreme administrative body which was referred to by Bahá'u'lláh in his Kitab-i-Aqdas. Through the Guardianship, the Cause of God is believed to be safeguarded from schism, because he is to be under the protection and infallible guidance of Bahá'u'lláh and the Bab.” Vance Salisbury.  A Critical Examination of 20th-Century Baha'i Literature, 1997

“John Ferraby's All Things Made New is second only to Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era in the number of textual changes. The original edition, first published in 1957, was dedicated "To Shoghi Effendi: The First Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith."… Ferraby originally stated that, "Abdu'l-Bahá, in his turn, arranged that the Cause would still have a visible Centre after His passing, by providing for a succession of Guardians of the Cause of God to follow him."  Vance Salisbury.  A Critical Examination of 20th-Century Baha'i Literature, 1997

“Shoghi Effendi, the first Guardian.”  Marion Holley.  The Baha'i World, Vol. 6, p. 429.

All Things Made New by Ferraby, 1957, page 5 & 1987 page 7 editions: “Ferraby dedicated his book to "The First Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith." In the later edition, Ferraby's dedication is to "The Guardian." This is the first of many changes concerning the perpetuity and indispensable nature of the Guardianship.”

Christ and Baha’u’llah by Townsend, 1957, page 79 & 1985 page 79 editions: “Townshend originally referred to Shoghi Effendi as the "first and present Guardian," but this phrase has been dropped.”

Christ and Baha’u’llah by Townsend, 1957, pages 98-99 & 1985 pages 98-99 editions: “Townshend discussed the Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Bahá and the provision for a succession of Guardians. The succession principle has been dropped and Shoghi Effendi is no longer spoken of as "the first Guardian."”

“For the first time God’s representative will be continually associated with men in the work of safeguarding the interests of the whole earth as one entity and one family acknowledging one Father.”  And “In His own written Will and Testament, has established Shoghi Effendi, the first Guardian, as the Centre of the Covenant of God.” The National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles.  The Covenant of Baha’u’llah (A Compilation) (1950),

p. xv-xvii

 

"The guardianship of the Faith, implied in the Book of Laws, became a fact in the Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Baha, who appointed as first guardian, his grandson, Shoghi Effendi.” 

Dorothy Baker (Hand of the Cause/NSA-USA member).  The Baha'i World, Vol. 10, p. 657.

 

“’Abdu’l-Bahá appointed his eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, as interpreter and first Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith.”  Dorothy Baker.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 10, p. 757.

 “The merciful provision of a succession of a devoted adherents to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh who, for many centuries, will ‘amplify and apply’  His Word to the needs of humanity at the period of time in which each will occupy the centralizing position of Guardianship.”  Louise Drake Wright.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 4, p. 408.

  “Once the mind and heart have grasped the fact that God guides men through a Mouthpiece, a human being, a Prophet, infallible and unerring, it is only a logical projection of this acceptance to also accept the station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Guardians.  The Guardians are the evidence of the maturity of mankind in the sense that at long last men have progressed to the point of having one world, and of needing one world management for human affairs.  In the spiritual realm they have also reached the point where God could leave, in human hands (i.e. the Guardians) guided directly by the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh as the Master states in His Will, the affairs of His Faith for this Dispensation.  This is what is meant by this is the day which will not be followed by night!  In this Dispensation divine guidance flows onto us in this world after the Prophets ascension, through first the Master, and then the Guardians.  If a person can accept Bahá’u’lláh’s function it should not present any difficulty to them to also accept what He has ordained in a Divinely guided individual in matters pertaining to the Faith.”  Shoghi Effendi.  Bahá’í News, June, 1950.

 

“The office of interpreter exercised first by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and after Him by the succession of Guardians to the end of the Bahá’í Dispensation.”  Horace Holley.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 9, p. 30.

 

“’Abdu’l-Bahá revealed the continuity of divine guidance for human affairs throughout the cycle in the succession of the station of Guardianship from generation to generation.  To this station He attributed the sole power and authority to interpret the Bahá’í Sacred Writings, and this station He joined to the Universal House of Justice instituted by Bahá’u’lláh by making each successive Guardian its chairman for life.”  Horace Holley.  The Baháí World, Vol. 9, p. 738. 

 

“First Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi.”  Horace Holley.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 9, p. 740.

 

“The first of the Guardian’s given appointment in the Will” “a leader”  “authoritative interpretation of the revealed Word” “the authority vested in his appointment, through the world’s misery and darkness, to the Kingdom of justice on earth.”  Horace Holley.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 9, p. 740.

 

“He has established a Covenant with us…provided for the institution of interpretation, through which the unbroken unity of the Faith is assured.”  William Kenneth Christian. The Bahá’í World, Vol. 9,  p. 838.

 

“God’s unbreakable Covenant…first Guardian of the Faith – Shoghi Effendi.”  William Kenneth Christian.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 9, p. 839.   

 

“The first Guardian, Shoghi Effendi.”  Horace Holley.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 10, p. 10.

 

“Upon the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the year of 1921, His grandson, Shoghi Effendi, was appointed through his Will and Testament, the first Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith.”  Betty Scheffler.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 10, p. 447.

 

“Present and future Guardians.”  Shoghi Effendi.  The Baha'i World, Vol. 5, p. 502 and The Bahá’í World, Vol. 7, p. 292.

 

“first Guardian…First Guardian…first Guardian”  Mary Maxwell.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 11,  p. 120

 

“Shoghi Effendi and his duly constituted successor and successors under the provisions of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.”  The Bahá’í Declaration of Trust, The Bahá’í World, Vol. 11, p. 212.

“The present Guardian of the Faith.”  Dr. R. Bradley Roe.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 11, p. 688. 

 

“Shoghi Effendi, present Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith.”  Artemus Lamb.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 11,  p. 769.

 

“The first Guardian of the Cause of God.” The Bahá’í World, Vol. 12, p. 38.

 

“Declaration of Trust Article II “Shoghi Effendi and his duly constituted successor and successors under the provisions of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá…Article IV “This instrument and all in accordance with the explicit instructions given us to date by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.”  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 12, p. 394-395.

 

“In 1921 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá died and left a Will naming His eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, the first Guardian of the Faith and interpreter of the teachings.”  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 12, p. 528.

 

“The inauguration of the Ten-Year International Teaching and Consolidation Plan.” May 3-6, 1953.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 12, p. 561. 

 

“With ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s death Ella Cooper’s devotion to the Covenant immediately embraced the first Guardian of the Cause of God, Shoghi Effendi, appointed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá…Her unswerving fidelity to the Covenant now centered in the Guardian with full love and obedience.”  Juliet Thompson.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 12, 1950-1954, p. 683.

 

“Shoghi Effendi, the much loved First Guardian of the Faith.”  Viola Tuttle.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 12, 1950-1954, p. 689.

 

“The present Guardian and administrator of the Bahá’í World Faith, Shoghi Effendi.” Stanwood Cobb.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 12, p. 874.

 

“Shoghi Effendi, first Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith.”  Marion Hofman.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 12, p. 892.

 

“Established a new institution: that of the Guardianship.  By explaining the duties of the Guardian and outlining the manner in which future Guardians were to be selected ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was able to forestall those ruinous schemes with which the question of authorized succession has plagued other established religious.”  David M. Earl.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 12, p. 906.

 

“In His Will and Testament He named His grandson Shoghi Effendi as the first Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith.” Reginald King.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 12, p. 913.

 

“From David’s Throne of old, from Zoroaster’s Kings…a thousand years shall see His Guardianship of unity.”  J. Shurcliff.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 12, p. 947.

 

“As Bahá’u’lláh provided a center for the solidarity and furthermore of the Cause after his departure, so ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Covenanted in his Will that after his passing there would be a continued and perpetual system with a center of guidance for the Cause, a Guardian.  ‘Abdu’l-Bahá appointed his eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, to be the first of these Guardians.”  Charles Mason Remey (1925).  The Universal Consciousness of the Bahá’í Religion, p. 31.

 

“Shoghi Effendi, the First Guardian.” Charles Mason Remey (1925).  A Series of Twelve Articles Introductory to the Study of the Bahá’í Teachings. National Bahá’í Reviewing Committee of America, p.63.

 

“’Abdu’l-Bahá covenanted in his Will that after his passing there would be a continued and a perpetuated center of guidance for the Cause, a Guardian, the office to be hereditary.  The Guardian is to be the center about whom the Bahá’ís should revolve, the one whose mission would be to direct, continue and further the work of the cause; the one upon whom the mantle of the spirit would descend to protect, guide and inspire the people of the Cause and lead them onward in their spiritual work.

            “’Abdu’l-Bahá appointed his eldest grandson Shoghi Effendi to be the first of this line of Guardians…upon him devolves the duty of establishing the organization of the cause as outlined in the Will of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” Charles Mason Remey (1925). A Series of Twelve Articles Introductory to the Study of the Bahá’í Teachings. National Bahá’í Reviewing Committee of America, p.65.

 

“Now in these days of the first Guardian of the Cause, Shoghi Effendi, the organization is being established as outlined and provided for in the testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.”  Charles Mason Remey (1925). A Series of Twelve Articles Introductory to the Study of the Bahá’í Teachings. National Bahá’í Reviewing Committee of America, p. 73

 

“The Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, the first of the line of the Bahá’í Guardians.  With the passing of the generations there will be many Guardians branching out from this divine tree of revelation.”  Charles Mason Remey (1925). A Series of Twelve Articles Introductory to the Study of the Bahá’í Teachings. National Bahá’í Reviewing Committee of America, p. 75.

 

“First Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi.” The Bahá’í World, Vol. 8, p. 933.

 

“’Abdu’l-Bahá in His Will and Testament, proclaimed that after His own departure, a succession of Guardians would…direct and administer the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh for the needs of an evolving mankind.  He named His grandson, Shoghi Effendi, as the one who would first occupy the station of high service to humanity, to whom all the believers must turn and whom they must obey as the inspired interpreter of the Word, the focal point through whose interpretation the House of Justice will come into being, and the true federation of nations be established on earth, erected upon the pillars of divine love and justice.”  Louise Drake Wright.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 8, pp. 879-888.

 

“The First Guardian, Shoghi Effendi.”  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 8, p. 664.

 

[Re: the Universal House of Justice.] “They stand for an ideal of morality that is worldwide in scope – an inclusive fellowship, and they maintain their contact with the source of spiritual inspiration and guidance by having as their permanent head, the present and future Guardians of the Faith.” George Latimer. The Bahá’í World, Vol. 7, p. 730.

 

“First Guardian.”  Rosemary Sala.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 7, p. 765.

 

“To Shoghi Effendi, the First Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith.”  Louise C. Rich.  The Bahá’í World, Vol. 7, p. 825.

 

“Shoghi Effendi, the first Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith and sacred head for life of its Universal House of Justice.”  Article One, Los Angeles California, amended articles of Incorporation, The Bahá’í World, Vol. 7, p. 385.

Mary Maxwell describes the process of translation used by Shoghi Effendi in her book, The Priceless Pearl (p. 203-204).  She says a more accurate translation of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá regarding the Guardian as 'member for life' of the Universal House of Justice is 'irremovable'.