uch articles with the spectacle of
Baha'is trying to write as if they were non-Baha'is. This leads to these
authors' drawing conclusions and making implications which are in conflict
with Baha'i teachings and with the reality of the Faith. A good Baha'i
author, when writing for such a publication, should be fully capable of
adopting a calmly neutral and expository tone, without falling into the
trap of distorting the picture by adopting what is, in essence, a
materialistic and localized stance.

(4 October 1994 to a National Spiritual Assembly) [71]

3.5 THE COVENANT

From Letters Written by or on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi

72: "Concerning the course of study you may follow:.... The Cause is..."

Concerning the course of study you may follow:.... The Cause is such that
we can serve it no matter what our profession may be. The only necessity
is that we be spiritually minded and not be guided by purely material
considerations. We should also not let our studies detain us from
deepening our knowledge of the literature of the Cause.

(9 November 1931 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
[72]

In their efforts to achieve this purpose they must study for themselves,
conscientiously and painstakingly, the literature of their Faith, delve
into its teachings, assimilate its laws and principles, ponder its
admonitions, tenets and purposes, commit to memory certain of its
exhortations and prayers, master the essentials of its administration, and
keep abreast of its current affairs and latest developments. They must
strive to obtain, from sources that are authoritative and unbiased, a
sound knowledge of the history and tenets of Islam--the source and
background of their Faith--and approach reverently and with a mind purged
from preconceived ideas the study of the Qur'an which, apart from the
sacred scriptures of the Babi and Baha'i Revelations, constitutes the only
Book which can be regarded as an absolutely authenticated Repository of
the Word of God. They must devote special attention to the investigation
of those institutions and circumstances that are directly connected with
the origin and birth of their Faith, with the station claimed by its
Forerunner, and with the laws revealed by its Author.

(25 December 1938 by Shoghi Effendi to the Baha'is of the West, published
in "The Advent of Divine Justice" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust,
1990), p. 49) [73]

73: "The Guardian fe