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High Endeavours: Messages to Alaska

  • Author:
  • Various

  • Source:
  • Alaska, 1976 edition
  • Pages:
  • 79
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Pages 52-53

(63) December 7, 1953

(63) December 7, 1953
All Pioneers:
Dearly Beloved Friends,
The beloved Guardian sends you his loving greetings, and he assures you of his prayers in your behalf.
You will be most happy to know that at this time there is only one country, Chagos Archipelago, which has not been assigned to a settler, outside of the countries which are under Iron Curtain influence. More pioneers are arriving at their posts daily, so that at the present time, 71 of the new countries of the Crusade have been opened to the Faith.
You are now the representative of the Faith in your area, and the beloved Guardian feels assured that you will arise to the great opportunity that has come to you, to become the one to quicken the souls in your virgin territory and become the spiritual conqueror of that new land. The Guardian realizes you will have many problems and difficulties, but he urges you to persevere under all circumstances; not to become disheartened in any way, but relying solely upon Bahá’u’lláh and His quickening Spirit, arise at once to carry forward the teaching work.
The Guardian makes the following suggestions with regard to teaching in virgin areas, at this critical time:
1. No publicity should be secured.
2. No articles should be placed in newspapers or magazines.
3. Do not contact Authorities or Political Leaders. 53
4. Do not discuss Government policies in any way.
5. No effort should be made toward a public proclamation of the Faith.
6. Proceed with great caution.
7. Be very wise in the manner in which the Teachings of the Faith are presented.
8. Make friends, and when these friends gain confidence in you and you in them, gradually confirm them in the Faith.
9. What is needed is a complete reliance upon Bahá’u’lláh; pure consecration to the Faith, and then energetic but wise presentation of the Divine teachings. Such selfless sacrificial devotion will attract the divine confirmations, and gradually you will confirm souls who will join you as strong supporters of the Faith in your area.
With warm Bahá’í greetings,
Faithfully yours,
Leroy Ioas
Secretary-General
International Bahá’í Council