Just as there are laws governing our physical lives,
requiring that we must supply our bodies with certain foods, maintain them
within a certain range of temperatures, and so forth, if we wish to avoid
physical disabilities, so also there are laws governing our spiritual lives.
These laws are revealed to mankind in each age by the Manifestation of God, and
obedience to them is of vital importance if each human being, and mankind in
general, is to develop properly and harmoniously. Moreover, these various aspects
are interdependent. If an individual violates the spiritual laws for his own
development he will cause injury not only to himself but to the society in
which he lives. Similarly, the condition of society has a direct effect on the
individuals who must live within it. (The Universal House of Justice, from a
letter dated 6 February 1973 to all National Spiritual Assemblies; ‘Messages
from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973’; The Compilation of
Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy Life)
The Prophets have appeared in this world with the mission
that human souls may become the expressions of the Merciful, that they may be
educated and developed, attain to love and amity and establish peace and
agreement. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, excerpt from a talk given on 21 April 1912 in
Washington D.C.; The Promulgation of Universal Peace) (To read the entire talk
please visits Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
