New publications

Once more the Bahá’í world stands at the threshold of a new stage in the unfoldment of the Divine Plan. Once more the House of Justice has opened to our eyes a new horizon. The letters contained in this volume provide a vision of the progress of the Faith, clarify the path of development for each cluster, explain how to strengthen the elements of a growth program, describe the extent of our learning, outline opportunities for greater involvement in society, recall the Guardian’s prerequisites for success in any teaching enterprise, clarify the need for the enhancement of institutional capacity at all levels, seek consonance among the Plan’s three protagonists, remind us of the part this work plays in contributing to building of a new civilization, and set before our eyes the example of the beloved Master during His travels to the West.

The Five Year Plan, 2011-2016, is the fourth in a series of plans that will take us to the end of the first century of the Formative Age, all of which have a single aim: to advance the process of entry by troops. The messages of the House of Justice explain how far we have come toward meeting this aim and vividly describe what still remains for us to do in the years ahead.

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Hasten Forth: The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh is a photographic depiction of the central beliefs of the Bahá’í Faith and a virtual journey to the religious community’s spiritual and administrative world centers. This new gift book was inspired by Shoghi Effendi’s 1934 message “The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.” It features photos of the Bahá’í properties in Israel, tidbits of history and descriptions of the structures and gardens, and quotations from the Bahá’í texts which Shoghi Effendi selected for his message to explain the “fundamental verities” of the world’s youngest religion. Envisioned as a “home visit companion,” the book is designed to guide and stimulate conversations about prayer, pilgrimage, the mystery of God and His Manifestations, the teachings and sufferings of the Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith, the New World Order and Bahá’í Administration, and the power of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh. Visit www.hastenforth.com for stories about real conversations that have arisen from individuals who shared the contents of Hasten Forth — and its inherent call to action — with their friends, family and neighbors.

This book tells the story of Musonda, a young girl who has just turned 13, and her older cousin Rose, who has come to visit for the school holidays. A theme that runs throughout the story is that of making an effort and receiving God's confirmations. While the book maintains a certain level of simplicity in terms of sentence structure and flow, the use of difficult words is not avoided. By placing such words in different contexts, and drawing out their meaning through exercises, the text builds vocabulary and strengthens literacy skills. The book works best with youth aged 11 and 12.

This brief introduction explores the teachings, history, and practices of the Bahá’í Faith, a world religion. Among the themes discussed are:

• Learning about God: The Role of the Divine Manifestations
• Understanding Ourselves: Human Nature, Life’s Purpose, and the Afterlife
• Building a Just, Peaceful, and Progressive Society: The Principles of Unity
• Discovering the Background of the Bahá’í Teachings: The History of the Bahá’í Faith
• Adopting Spiritual Patterns: Laws and Principles for the Individual, the Family, and the Community
• Recognizing the Promised Age: Expectation and Fulfillment