tablets of the divine plan - a powerpoint presentation

HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDHISTORICAL BACKGROUNDThe following The following

program is program is dedicateddedicated

to the memory of to the memory of Mrs. Soo Fouts Mrs. Soo Fouts (1923-2016)—a (1923-2016)—a

devoted devoted maidservant of maidservant of

Bahá’u’lláh—and Bahá’u’lláh—and the first Korean-the first Korean-

American Bahá’í—American Bahá’í—who passed from who passed from this world on 9 this world on 9 February 2016.February 2016.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDHISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Bahá’í Cycle Not Less Than 5000,000 Bahá’í Cycle Not Less Than 5000,000 YearsYears

Adamic Cycle 6,000 YearsAdamic Cycle 6,000 YearsAdam to The BábAdam to The Báb

Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláhDispensation of Bahá’u’lláhAt Least 1,000 YearsAt Least 1,000 Years

Three Ages of the Bahá’í Faith

Heroic Age 1844 - 1921

Báb 1844-1853

Bahá’u’lláh 1853-1892

‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1853-1892

Formative Age 1921 - ? Shoghi Effendi 1921-1957

Hands of the Cause 1957-1963

Universal House .of Justice 1963

Golden Age ?

BAHÁ’U’LLÁH ASCENDED

MAY 29, 1892

‘ ‘Abdu’l-BaháAbdu’l-Bahá1844 - 19211844 - 1921

THREE CHARTERS OFTHREE CHARTERS OFTHE BAHA’I FAITHTHE BAHA’I FAITH

• Tablet of Carmel Tablet of Carmel (World Centre (World Centre Development & creation of The Development & creation of The Universal House of Justice)Universal House of Justice)• Will & Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Will & Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (creation of NSAs, Charter of New (creation of NSAs, Charter of New World Order; appoints Guardian to be World Order; appoints Guardian to be head of Faith & sole interpreter of its head of Faith & sole interpreter of its Scriptures) Scriptures) • Tablets of The Divine Plan Tablets of The Divine Plan (Spiritual (Spiritual Conquest of the Planet)Conquest of the Planet)

—Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Bahá’í World, 1950-1957, p.85.

#2 #2 Shoghi EffendiShoghi Effendi, Directives of the , Directives of the GuardianGuardian

THREE OBJECTIVES THREE OBJECTIVES OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHA’S MINISTRYOF ‘ABDU’L-BAHA’S MINISTRY

The establishment of the Cause in The establishment of the Cause in AmericaAmericaErection of the Baha'i Temple in Erection of the Baha'i Temple in 'Ishqábád'Ishqábád

Construct resting place of the Bab on Mt. Construct resting place of the Bab on Mt. Carmel Carmel

Tablets ofTablets ofthe Divine Planthe Divine Plan

““The The Tablets of the Tablets of the Divine PlanDivine Plan collectively collectively refers to 14 letters refers to 14 letters (tablets) written between (tablets) written between March 1916 and March March 1916 and March 1917 by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to 1917 by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Bahá’s in the United Bahá’s in the United States and Canada.” States and Canada.” They were again “ They were again “ presented at the presented at the Ridvan meeting of 1919 Ridvan meeting of 1919 in New York City. in New York City. —Wikipedia—Wikipedia

Original Original Tablet from Tablet from the Divine the Divine

PlanPlan

Joseph Joseph HannenHannen

During WWI During WWI Divine Plan Divine Plan Tablets in Tablets in

Persian and Persian and English English were were

written on written on postcards & postcards &

mailed to mailed to trusted trusted

Bahá’ís who Bahá’ís who sent them sent them to others.to others.

Five of the 14 Tablets Five of the 14 Tablets were printed in were printed in Star of Star of the Westthe West on September on September

8, 1916.8, 1916.• Northeastern StatesNortheastern States• Western StatesWestern States• Dominion of CanadaDominion of Canada• Southern StatesSouthern States• Central StatesCentral States

The remaining nine Tablets were The remaining nine Tablets were locked in a vault in the Shrine of locked in a vault in the Shrine of the Báb until after World War I.the Báb until after World War I.

April 1919April 1919

Meeting Meeting

Place for the Place for the

Unveiling of Unveiling of

the Tablets of the Tablets of

the Divine the Divine

PlanPlan

The Tablets The Tablets

were each were each

‘veiled’ with ‘veiled’ with

a cloth. a cloth.

Young Young

Bahá’ís were Bahá’ís were

called up to called up to

unveil each unveil each

one.one.

Martha Root ‘Star Servant of Martha Root ‘Star Servant of Bahá’u’lláh’Bahá’u’lláh’

Young Bahá’ís who unveiled the Young Bahá’ís who unveiled the 14 Tablets of the Divine Plan14 Tablets of the Divine Plan

Mary MaxwellMary MaxwellAge 9 Age 9

‘‘Amatu’l-BaháAmatu’l-BaháRúhíyyih RabbaniRúhíyyih Rabbani

BahiyyiBahiyyihhWinklerWinkler

RouhieRouhiehhJonesJones

CatherinCatherineeNourseNourse

“And now I deem it a great joy to call on the daughter of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Mary Maxwell, to rise and come forward to unveil the Great Spiritual Charter of the Dominion of Canada.”The Unveiling of the Divine Plan, p.43

Rouhieh JonesRouhieh Jones

Jeffrey ParsonsJeffrey Parsons

Unveiling the Tablet Unveiling the Tablet for the Central for the Central

StatesStates

“Abeyance”

“This period from 1916 and 1917 till 1937 was described as a phase when the Tablets ofthe Divine Plan were 'in abeyance‘.” —'Ali Nakhjavani, Shoghi Effendi: Author of Teaching Plans, p.9

“Abeyance” is a period of inactivity, postponement or recess.

For some 16 years Shoghi Effendi had to develop the Bahá’ís and Bahá’í institutions to be ready to undertake the first Seven Year Plan (1937-1944).

‘‘Visible Order’Visible Order’

“… “… the Spirit breathed by the Spirit breathed by Bahá’u’lláh upon the world …Bahá’u’lláh upon the world …can never permeate and can never permeate and exercise an abiding influence exercise an abiding influence upon mankind unless and upon mankind unless and until it until it incarnates itself in a incarnates itself in a visible Ordervisible Order, which would , which would bear His name, wholly identify bear His name, wholly identify itself with His principles, and itself with His principles, and function in conformity with function in conformity with His laws.”His laws.” —Shoghi Effendi, —Shoghi Effendi, The World Order The World Order of Bahá’u’lláhof Bahá’u’lláh

Conquerors of ContinentsConquerors of Continents

““O that I could travel, even though O that I could travel, even though

on foot and in the utmost poverty, on foot and in the utmost poverty,

to these regions, and, raising the to these regions, and, raising the

call of “Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá” in cities, call of “Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá” in cities,

villages, mountains, deserts and villages, mountains, deserts and

oceans, promote the divine oceans, promote the divine

teachings! This, alas, I cannot do. teachings! This, alas, I cannot do.

How intensely I deplore it! Please How intensely I deplore it! Please

God, ye may achieve it.” God, ye may achieve it.”

—’—’Abdu’l-Bahá, Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of theTablets of the Divine PlanDivine Plan

John Henry & John Henry &

Clara Hyde-Clara Hyde-

Dunn “The Dunn “The

Father & Father &

Mother of Mother of

Australia”Australia”

Clara: "Shall we go?”Clara: "Shall we go?”John Henry: “Yes.”John Henry: “Yes.”

Hands of the Cause of GodHands of the Cause of God

Lenora Lenora

(Hopsapple) (Hopsapple)

Armstrong, Armstrong,

“The Mother of “The Mother of

South America”South America”

Claire Gung, Claire Gung,

“The Mother “The Mother

of Africa”of Africa”

Agnes Baldwin Alexander Agnes Baldwin Alexander

(1875-1971)(1875-1971)

First Bahá’í of Hawaii & the First Bahá’í of Hawaii & the

Pacific – 1st to KoreaPacific – 1st to Korea

32 Years Pioneer to 32 Years Pioneer to JapanJapan

"If only the friends could realize it, the "If only the friends could realize it, the

glory of our Faith is not that people with glory of our Faith is not that people with

unique abilities do the work of the Cause, unique abilities do the work of the Cause,

but that it is done by the sacrifice of but that it is done by the sacrifice of

loving and devoted souls who arise loving and devoted souls who arise

selflessly to undertake work they feel selflessly to undertake work they feel

themselves incompetent, sometimes, to themselves incompetent, sometimes, to

achieve. God works through them and achieve. God works through them and

endows them with gifts they did not endows them with gifts they did not

dream they could ever possess.“ dream they could ever possess.“ ——ShoghiShoghi Effendi,Effendi, #170 #170 Quickeners of MankindQuickeners of Mankind

Only three Only three precious precious souls are souls are

mentioned mentioned by name in by name in the Tablets the Tablets

of the Divine of the Divine Plan. All Plan. All three are three are women.women.

First is Agnes First is Agnes Baldwin Baldwin Alexander (1875-Alexander (1875-1971) who found 1971) who found the Cause the Cause through a vision through a vision while in Rome in while in Rome in 1900.1900.

Ms Alexander Ms Alexander was born and was born and raised in raised in Honolulu.Honolulu.

““At this time, in the Hawaiian Islands, through the efforts of At this time, in the Hawaiian Islands, through the efforts of

Miss Alexander, a number of souls have reached the shore of Miss Alexander, a number of souls have reached the shore of

the sea of faith! Consider ye, what happiness, what joy is the sea of faith! Consider ye, what happiness, what joy is

this! I declare by the Lord of Hosts that had this respected this! I declare by the Lord of Hosts that had this respected

daughter founded an empire, that empire would not have daughter founded an empire, that empire would not have

been so great! For this sovereignty is eternal sovereignty been so great! For this sovereignty is eternal sovereignty

and this glory is everlasting glory.” and this glory is everlasting glory.” ——Tablets of the Divine PlanTablets of the Divine Plan

x

1964 Formation of the National1964 Formation of the NationalSpiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian IslandsIslands

Ms Agnes Ms Agnes Baldwin Baldwin

AlexandeAlexanderr

Next is Ms Alma S. Knobloch Next is Ms Alma S. Knobloch (1863-1943) who embraced the (1863-1943) who embraced the Faith in America in 1903 and took Faith in America in 1903 and took it to Germany in 1907.it to Germany in 1907.

““Likewise Miss Knobloch traveled alone to Likewise Miss Knobloch traveled alone to Germany. To what a great extent she became Germany. To what a great extent she became confirmed!” confirmed!”

—’—’Abdu’l-Baha, Abdu’l-Baha, Tablets of the Divine Tablets of the Divine PlanPlan

May (nee Bolles) MaxwellMay (nee Bolles) Maxwell1870-19401870-1940

“…“…through the effort through the effort of the maidservant of of the maidservant of God Mrs. Maxwell a God Mrs. Maxwell a number of the sons number of the sons and daughters of the and daughters of the Kingdom in that Kingdom in that Dominion [Canada] Dominion [Canada] were gathered were gathered together and together and associated with each associated with each other…” other…” —’—’Abdu’l-Baha, Abdu’l-Baha, Tablets of the Tablets of the Divine PlanDivine Plan

MayMay Maxwell &Maxwell & Baby MaryBaby Mary

May Maxwell & May Maxwell & Baby Mary Baby Mary

(aka ‘Amatu’l-(aka ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Bahá Rúhíyyih

Khánum)Khánum)(At her death (At her death Shoghi Effendi Shoghi Effendi named May a named May a

‘martyr’.)‘martyr’.)

14 Tablets of the Divine Plan14 Tablets of the Divine PlanTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Northeastern Tablet to the Bahá’ís of the Northeastern StatesStatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Southern Tablet to the Bahá’ís of the Southern StatesStatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Central StatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Central StatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Western StatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Western StatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of Canada and Tablet to the Bahá’ís of Canada and GreenlandGreenlandTablet to the Bahá’ís of the United States Tablet to the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canadaand CanadaTablet to the Bahá’ís of the United States Tablet to the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canadaand CanadaTablet to the Bahá’ís of the United States Tablet to the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canadaand CanadaTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Northeastern Tablet to the Bahá’ís of the Northeastern StatesStatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Southern Tablet to the Bahá’ís of the Southern StatesStatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Central StatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Central StatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Western StatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of the Western StatesTablet to the Bahá’ís of Canada and Tablet to the Bahá’ís of Canada and GreenlandGreenlandTablet to the Bahá’ís of the United States Tablet to the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canadaand Canada

Provided “explicit and detailed instructions” and set in motion a process for the propagation of the Faith throughout the world.

Tablets of The Divine PlanTablets of The Divine Plan

Shoghi Effendi - Shoghi Effendi - Guardian & Head Guardian & Head of the Bahá’í Faith of the Bahá’í Faith 1921-19571921-1957

Divine Plan delayed for Divine Plan delayed for sixteen years (1921-sixteen years (1921-1937) until the Guardian 1937) until the Guardian developed the Bahá’ís developed the Bahá’ís and the institutions to a and the institutions to a state where they could state where they could undertake the first step undertake the first step in implementing the in implementing the Divine Plan.Divine Plan.

11

We lost our We lost our beloved beloved Guardian on Guardian on November 4, November 4, 1957. His 1957. His resting place is resting place is in London. in London.

Nevertheless, the Nevertheless, the Hands of the Cause Hands of the Cause of God took charge of God took charge of the Faith and of the Faith and brought the 10 Year brought the 10 Year World Crusade to a World Crusade to a successful successful conclusion.conclusion.

Delegates who elected the first Delegates who elected the first membership of The Universal membership of The Universal House of Justice - 1963House of Justice - 1963

First Nine Members ofFirst Nine Members ofThe UniversalThe Universal

House of JusticeHouse of Justice

First World CongressFirst World CongressRoyal Albert HallRoyal Albert HallLondon, EnglandLondon, England

19631963Called to announce the election of The Called to announce the election of The

Universal House of JusticeUniversal House of JusticeSome 6,000 attendedSome 6,000 attended

First Plan ofFirst Plan ofThe The

UniversalUniversalHouse of House of JusticeJustice

11

THE institutions of the Faith

have evolved organically

because there is a destined outcome

which is part of the Plan of

God.

The Administrative

Order is the nucleus and

pattern of the World Order of

Bahá’u’lláh.

Millions pray daily ‘Thy kingdom come. Thy Millions pray daily ‘Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. ‘will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. ‘ —Luke —Luke 11:2 King James Version11:2 King James Version

Yet it is to us, the Bahá’ís, that a Divine Yet it is to us, the Bahá’ís, that a Divine Plan has been given to establish that Plan has been given to establish that

‘Kingdom’.‘Kingdom’. America will "evolve into a center America will "evolve into a center

from which waves of spiritual from which waves of spiritual power will emanate, and the power will emanate, and the

throne of the Kingdom of God will, throne of the Kingdom of God will, in the plenitude of its majesty and in the plenitude of its majesty and

glory, be firmly established.“glory, be firmly established.“——Shoghi Effendi, Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of FaithCitadel of Faith, p. 31, p. 31

““O ye O ye Apostles Apostles

of of Bahá’u’llBahá’u’ll

áh! áh! May my May my life be life be

sacrificed sacrificed for you!”for you!”