membership would be welcome so far as they do not
prejudice the quality of such membership. Once Assembly elections are
over, the results should be conscientiously and unquestionably accepted by
the entire body of the believers, not necessarily because they represent
the Voice of Truth, or the Will of Baha'u'llah, but for the supreme
purpose of maintaining unity and harmony in the community."

62: ELECTIONS (ASSEMBLY VOTING)

"With these Assemblies, Local as well as National, harmoniously,
vigorously and efficiently functioning throughout the Baha'i world, the
only means for the establishment of the Supreme House of Justice will have
been assured. And when this Supreme Body will have been properly
established, it will have to consider afresh the whole situation, and lay
down the principle which shall direct, as long as it deems advisable, the
affairs of the Cause.

"Pending the establishment, and to insure uniformity throughout the East
and throughout the West, all Local Assemblies will have to be re-elected
once a year, during the first day of Ridvan, and the result of polling, if
possible, be declared on that day."

63: ELECTIONS (THE CHARACTER OF BAHA'I)

"Let us recall His explicit and often-repeated assurance that every
Assembly elected in that rarified atmosphere of selflessness and
detachment is in truth, appointed of God, that its verdict is truly
inspired, that one and all should submit to its decision unreservedly and
with cheerfulness ... the elector ... is called upon to vote for none but
those whom prayer and reflection have inspired him to uphold... Hence it
is incumbent upon the chosen delegates to consider without the least trace
of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration,
the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of
unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of
recognized ability and mature experience... Nothing short of the
all-encompassing, all-pervading power of His Guidance and Love can enable
this newly enfolded order to gather strength and flourish amid the storm
and stress of a turbulent age, and in the fullness of time vindicate its
high claim to be universally recognized as the one Haven of abiding
felicity and peace."

64: ELECTION OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES (RADICAL CHANGES NOT ADVISED)

"Regarding your questions concerning the advisability of changing the
basis of the National