l this is not easy--but the Guardian is always encouraged to
see the spirit animating such young believers as yourself. He has high
hopes of what your generation will accomplish.

(12 May 1944 to an individual believer) [33]

34: "If the Baha'is want to be really effective in teaching the Cause they
need to..."

If the Baha'is want to be really effective in teaching the Cause they need
to be much better informed and able to discuss intelligently,
intellectually, the present condition of the world and its problems. We
need Baha'i scholars, not only people far, far more deeply aware of what
our teachings really are, but also well-read and well-educated people,
capable of correlating our teachings to the current thoughts of the
leaders of society.

We Baha'is should, in other words, arm our minds with knowledge in order
to better demonstrate to, especially, the educated classes, the truths
enshrined in our Faith.

(5 July 1949 to an individual believer) [34]

From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice

35: "The Universal House of Justice ... regards Baha'i scholarship as
of..."

The Universal House of Justice ... regards Baha'i scholarship as of great
potential importance for the development and consolidation of the Baha'i
community as it emerges from obscurity....

(3 January 1979 to participants in an academic seminar) [35]

2.4 Contribution to Scholarly Development

From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi

36: "He was very happy to hear from you, and to see with what keen
appreciation..."

He was very happy to hear from you, and to see with what keen appreciation
and interest you are studying the teachings of Baha'u'llah. One could
truly say that the longer one studies them, the more one finds in them.
They are the very essence from which thinkers and scientists and
humanitarians of the future will derive inspiration and guidance for their
work.

(10 December 1942 to a Baha'i summer school) [36]

37: "Regarding the advice you requested from him concerning what studies
you..."

Regarding the advice you requested from him concerning what studies you
should specialize in with a view to teaching in the future: He would
suggest either History, Economics or Sociology, as these are not only
fields in which Baha'is take a great interest but also cover subjects
which our teachings cast an entirely new light upon. Your knowledge would
be of use to