Jacques+Soghomonian

//**To All Believers, Servants and Handmaids of the Universal Faith and Revelation**// //**of Baha'u'llah, The Splendor of God : By this writ in my own handwriting**// //**I, Mr. Doanald Alphonse Harvey presently residing at 5, rue Lavoisier**// //**75008 Paris, France, and presently being the Third Guardian of the**// //**Universal Faith and Revelation of Baha'u'llah until my seat is called**// //**from this Earth, do appoint and designate Mr. Jacques SOGHOMONIAN,**// //**presently residing at _ _ _ _ ___ as**// //**his successor as [|Fourth Guardian] of the Universal Faith and [|Revelation] of**// //**[|Baha'u'llah]. This writ is thus being made by virtue of the Explicit Text**// //**of [|the Will and Testament] of 'Abdu'l-Baha, in compliance with all**// //**prescriptions found in it.**// //**Rougemont, near Montana, Cole d'ev, in France, this day of**// //**Saturday ,November 19, Year 1984 AD,**// //**[Signed Donald A. Harvey.]**// //**- Third Guardian.**//



//**April 9, 1992 **// //**I wish to make known that it is important that the sincere and faithful friends of the Testament of ‘Abdu’l Baha, Center of the Covenant of Baha’u’llah, go deeply into these texts which are [|the Testament of ‘Abdu’l Baha], [|“The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah” by Shoghi Effendi], as well as the booklet, [|“The Covenant”]. **// //**It is especially important to know well the text of the two telegrams of Shoghi Effendi, dated [|January 9, 1951], and [|March 2, 1951](last paragraph). **// //**All these documents constitute the true unfolding of the Worldwide Charter of ‘Abdu’l Baha. **// //**It is also necessary to read carefully the book of Shoghi Effendi, “God Passes By”. Baha’u’llah suffered infinitely and gave himself completely to the Cause of God, in order to realize the prophesies of the Bible for every human being. **// //**By his total self renunciation, Baha’u’llah lightened the suffering of other believers for at least a thousand years. **// //**Baha’u’llah is the Father promised and waited for by all the religions of the past: Jewish, Christian, Islamic…etc. of which the traces and vestiges remain today and are followed by millions of people who ought to know of this immense promise which was fulfilled by his Coming, over one hundred years ago. **// //**The complete cycle of one hundred years, allowed by Baha’u’llah to accept this Cause of God which he manifested, which began with his ascension on May 29, 1992, will be completed on May 28, 1993. **// //**Each believer in Baha’u’llah and in his Faith, who follows the hereditary principle of Guardianship as it is written in the Testament of ‘Abdu’l Baha, as it was expressed by the life of Shoghi Effendi, has the duty to pray as the Bab, Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l Baha taught us to do every day. It is the right thing to have on his lips (make mention) the Greatest Name, and to repeat it 19 times or 95 times. The second Guardian, Charles Mason Remey, whose suffering was unbearable, had already prescribed it during his own ministry which lasted for us from 1960 to 1974. **// //**It is absolutely necessary that each believer in Baha’u’llah and his Covenant be, or become: **// //**a light projecting the true spiritual life **// //**not limit himself to satisfying his intellect **// //**Every human being on Earth is destined to reflect fully the reality of this Spirit. **// //**Today, the believer in Baha’u’llah and his Covenant is a pioneer of what human beings will be in the future. This present believer wherever he may be, whatever he may be, will never hesitate to constantly solicit Baha’u’llah in order to strengthen his Faith in him, in his Cause and in all his “Proofs”. **// //**The Three Personalities ([|Bab], [|Baha’u’llah] and [|‘Abdu’l Baha]) are for the true believer that we should be, more than simple men. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">This revelation is the Source of the Truth. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">By his total devotion to the Bab and to Baha’u’llah; ‘Abdu’l Baha has the same perfection s as the Manifestation of God, without having the title or station. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">This shows that every human being can and must also acquire this perfection, no doubt to a lesser degree than ‘Abdu’l Baha. Nevertheless, if necessary, he must totally leave his present condition and be a source of encouragement and example. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Here is what is required of a believing friend today, to be a perfect example in his life, his acts, his communication, by speech or other means of _expression, of his faith in Baha’u’llah. Without a shadow of a doubt, the administrative order, as it comes from the Testament, and which was begun by Shoghi Effendi following the Charter which he left us, is “par excellence”, the supreme _expression of the Covenant; its goal is to attract all the peoples of the earth to accept God, Baha’u’llah, Center of the Covenant; and the Guardian of his Cause, the Guardian who is visible among the people of the Kingdom of God on earth. It is by the acceptance of all this that a human being, all human beings, all the people of the earth will receive the necessary spiritual force. It is the individual who must know how to solicit these spiritual forces and use them himself, with more and more other individuals who are similarly doing their research and studies about this divine Revelation. It is the only way to eradicate the cancer of extreme materialism of our epoch, and all the diseases that it causes. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">It is good, and would be good for everyone, to know and make known the books about the faith of Baha’u’llah which were the Baha’I Faith until November 1957, the day after the death of Shoghi Effendi. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Because the Baha’I Faith of today, and since 1960 in no way represents the true Cause of Baha’u’llah with his inseparable Covenant, and the true Administrative Order has yet to be established by and for all the people. It is of the highest importance to make known to every person (and almost simultaneously) to the general public the contents of these books of which the most indispensable are “The Testament of ‘Abdu’l Baha”, and the books of Shoghi Effendi: “God Passes By” and “The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah”. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">The Cause of God is growing around the world by mysterious forces. The ways of God are not at first understood by men who’s conception is limited. Bu these ways of God will be created by everyone, and understood as well because it is not men who determine events, it is the Creator Himself. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">The great mistake of the Baha’I friends is to let themselves be led into error by “leaders” who are not leaders. These leaders themselves are mistaken. May they admit it as quickly as possible. These “leaders” must admit their fault in public. This institution called “Universal House of Justice”, which is not the Universal House of Justice of the Covenant, expressed by ‘Abdu’l Baha in his Testament, must dissolve itself before all the people of the earth. They will reclaim the return of the Guardian in the Holy Land to build the Baha’I Court of Justice at Mount Carmel. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">One can discern that the true plan of God, and of Baha’u’llah, is developing by using as he does the effects of the installation of the aforementioned “Universal House of Justice” in 1963. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Little by little, the attention of the people is turned to the true Cause of Baha’u’llah. Let each and every one of us act usefully. **// //**“<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Too often, man thinks he is fooling God who, nonetheless, is waiting at the next corner.” **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Everyone is preparing to play an historic role without precedent. This is why it is so important that each one who professes to follow this blessed Cause not make any error. The only way to avoid all errors is to know well these books: those of Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l Baha and Shoghi Effendi, and of no other person, unless Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l Baha and Shoghi Effendi are correctly cited. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">These books are very clear. They can and should be read and understood directly by everyone. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">The Guardian in no way interferes with this independent and personal search for the Truth which every believer conducts for himself or herself. Once they know these books very well, as well as more and more of the general public, the Guardian will set objectives to accomplish, always conforming to the Cause and the Covenant. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Whatever happens, the Cause of Baha’u’llah will be usefully established in our hearts and acts. Even if all human beings gave up the sacred task, God has an infinite number of means to teach the human race what is true and what is false. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">History has demonstrated it. None will ever know where he is, except God with Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l Baha. **// //**“<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">God does what he wishes, when he wished and where he wishes.” **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">With my profound sentiments in the Faith of Baha’u’llah. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">With my love, **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Faithfully in El Abha, **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Your brother, **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">[Signed] [|Jacques Soghomonian] **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">O Son of Utterance, **// //**“<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Thou art My stronghold, enter therein that thou mayest abide in safety. My love is in thee, know it, that thou mayest find me near thee.” (Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah) **// Extracts from the September 13, 1993 letter from Jacques Soghomonian translated from the original French, translator unknown. Transcription by Brent Mathieu, December 2005 //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Dear friends in [|the Faith of Baha’u’llah], **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">I have enclosed a few extracts to give you food to your thoughts and to complete those I sent after the death of Donald Harvey. **// //**”<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">The promises of God recorded in the Holy Scriptures have all been fulfilled” Baha’u’llah **// //**“<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">The glory of the Lord came into the house through the door which faces East.” Ezekiel 43 **// //**“<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">I will give her… the valley of Achor (Akka) as a gate of hope.” (Hosea 2:17) **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Baha’u’llah brings to Mankind every truth, every spiritual and social law, all called for the New Era and the days to come. He does not speak in his own name but his words proceed from the One who sent him to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">He glories Christ. He foretells the things to come and he is not concerned with his own interest. All his life is a long martyrdom only. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">So, everything he tells you is for the love of God only. His only aim is that the inhabitants on the earth cleanse their heart from the stain of bad desire; that they tear the veil from over their eyes; that they succeed in the knowledge of the one and only GOD –which is the most sublime of soul for which Man can long. **// //**“<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Whether they believe or not in my Cause, that would neither be to my advantage nor do myself harm. It’s for the love of God only that we beg them for He, God, needs none of his creatures.” Baha’u’llah **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">The Message of Baha’u’llah is not an intellectual phenomenon or a new philosophy. It does not proceed from formal Humanism or necessity according to Man’s conditions. This Message is the great Covenant that God promised us. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">When we are taught the World Charter of Baha’u’llah, we can find in the words of Baha’u’llah every element useful for a spiritual regeneration. The World Charter is the zenith and fulfillment of every religion from the past and it comes from the same Source. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">One must understand what are utmost Devotion, Purity and Servitude, and disregard material goods to reach the state of equilibrium where it becomes a real strength. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">With the teaching of the World Charter, one can change owing to first of all a thought of high ethics, and then a real self denial as a person – to merge into the way of the research of the knowledge of Light; Light which feeds Man in the deep meaning of the word in his psychic and physical being. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">One must go through Darkness and Light, and understand genetic adaptation, find again all the known and still unknown ways of being in his own self to become and free and happy although material being – without any “shell”. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">One can do that owing to one’s cells. The cells which can vibrate in close touch with Holy Joy are regenerated cells on their way to become immortal. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">It is advisable to become aware of what a spiritual life is … immersing continuously in a light of knowledge and faithful to the Will and Covenant and the Administrative Order set up by Shoghi Effendi. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">The elevation of Thought, of the spiritual being, the elevation of soul by the study of the written words of Baha’u’llah can only happen in a physical being who is aware of the phenomenon of the restructuring of his human body, of his cells, of his sensitivity, of his sensibility. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Being aware of existing in a world where we do not stay must be a spiritual awareness only: so then, we are aware of our condition that is to say we are living beings with a spiritual life. We must keep in mind that we can be physically alive while being dead. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">For the awareness of spiritual life and real life of cells are subjected to every vibration throughout which we move and feel and think while we are feeding our material and spiritual body. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">The main thing is to study the written works of Baha’u’llah and the teachings of ‘Abdu’l Baha… we must immerse ourselves in the knowledge of the translations Shoghi Effendi has passed on to us – particularly all about the Administrative Order. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">These studies are absolutely essential to understand the consequences of these works on the future of the Faith. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">The Will and Testament, the Dispensation of Baha’u’llah (by Shoghi Effendi) and the Administrative Order (about the Guardianship) are: **// //**“<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Twin pillars which support this powerful administrative structure – the institution of the guardianship and the Universal House of Justice….instruments destined to enable him to take on efficiently his responsibilities and his specific tasks…” Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Baha’u’llah, pp 147, 148 **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">According to this established process, Charles Mason Remey was undoubtedly the second Guardian, though there were confusions. Then he designated Donald Harvey as the third Guardian of the Faith. Donald Harvey died in October 1991. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Having said this, you must not forget that the guardian only can designate some as a Covenant breaker. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Concerning your retreat in Redstone [Colorado], next October, I am deeply sorry but it will not be possible for me to be among you. But I will pray so that I will be in communion with you. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">It’s very important to understand that there must be one Guardian only and if the actual Guardian is the real one, he receives and will receive according to the Laws of the Covenant the spiritual power so that he will be able to serve Faith wisely – with innate knowledge. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Concerning the question of “ghusn” – which means a branch of Baha’u’llah, the answer is in the Covenant. **// //**“<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">O thou, the beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon the Guardian to appoint his successor during his lifetime….the guardian must choose another branch.” ‘Abdu’l Baha, Will and Testament p12 **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">To designate another branch means that a spiritual transplanting is made on the branch of Baha’u’llah. Trials go with this transplanting: the guardian must go beyond ordinary human condition and reach a state of such a fullness that he does not exist for himself, any more, but he constantly lives with the spirit of God, and his duty. The guardian’s life is not his own any more. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">Dear Friends in Faith, we must immerse in the written works of Baha’u’llah – and of the teacher, ‘Abdu’l Baha, and then we must match our conduct and our thoughts to the Baha’I principles. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">The Baha’I teaching is the leaven of Faith, of the true one – the one which reaches the heart of Man according to the Will of the Almighty. Let us be examples of patience, of work, of wisdom, of prayer. Let us avoid the useless divisions, while we remain firm as far as the gist of Will and Covenant are concerned. **// //**<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">I enclose some extracts from the Covenant. **// <span style="font-family: Liberation Serif,serif;">**//With all my prayers and the guidance of//** //Baha’u’llah,// **//Faithfully in El Abha,//** **//Do receive all my affectionate thoughts,//** **//(Signed) [|Jacques Soghomonian]//** **//Jacques enclosed these extracts from the Covenant://** **//“This covenant is so firm and powerful….” ‘Abdu’l Baha, cited in God Passes By, pp238-239//** **//“Without the powerful protection of the Covenant, which preserves….” ‘Abdu’l Baha’s Tablet, quoted in Baha’I World Faith, pp357-358//** **//“O thou, the beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon the Guardian to appoint his successor during his lifetime, so that differences will not arise upon his passing… ‘Abdu’l Baha, quoted from the Will and Testament in Baha’I Administration p8//**

//Marseille, July 19, 1997//

//The principle of the guardianship is INDISSOLUBLE, IMMOVABLE, AND INDISPENSABLE. The Covenant of God cannot be subjected to the caprices of these events.// //To modify these principles is the biggest violation that could exist.// //It is useless to accuse Charles Mason Remey of violation...No believer truly followed him except a few faithful to the Covenant and Testament...and most of these people improved their own personality (most are dead).// //Marangella defined his problem with the pretext that Charles Mason Remey was senile...Today, as we have said many times, he has proclaimed himself third guardian, without any apprehension since Mason Remey annulled his nomination.// //Charles Mason Remey named Donald Harvey third guardian of the Baha’i Faith in 1967, seven years before his death in 1974,// //Photocopies of the authentic and official documents were sent to several Baha’is in the United States who are faithful to the Covenant and Testament.// //The worth of human decisions and their context have nothing in common with the elements of Divine decisions.// //If we reference the passage from the Bible, according to which Baha’u’llah is “The Promise”; if we accept and if we believe in the GREAT ALLIANCE OF GOD WITH THE COVENANT OF BAHA’U’LLAH AND THE LESSER COVENANT OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHA’ (cited in the first page of this letter) and in short if we accept the infallibility of these documents, we cannot admit to the destruction of the Covenant of God.// //The International House of Justice, elected in 1963, in London, does not show all the criteria in conformity with instructions of Shoghi Effendi.//

//If we would like to confirm the present situation, that of the International House of Justice without a guardian, same if this Universal House of Justice pretends to have all the capacities of infallibility according to the documents: THEN IT MUST NEVER DESTROY THE COVENANTS OF BAHA’U’LLAH AND ‘ABDU’L-BAHA’.// //The Universal House of Justice does not have the right to modify the clear writings of the Will and Testament and the Covenant. It may only legislate on the imprecise ordinances, which are susceptible to modification by the evolution of the society and its needs.// //ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN CLEARLY DEFINED.// //The true believer must seriously study all the writings of Baha’u’llah in order to gain an accurate knowledge and for his own spiritual evolution.// //Only the guardian may declare someone to be a “violator” and decide for his expulsion. That which Shoghi Effendi mentioned in his 1951 Proclamation (the most important event in the coming ages) dispatched to all the National Spiritual Assemblies in the world where they were established, did not take this into consideration.// //If we reject part of the Writings and recommendations of Shoghi Effendi, we must equally rejects the 10 year plan which he had underway, and under which the International House of Justice built its work.// //This letter is a repetition of my preceding letters, although the creation of groups and spiritual assemblies by Marangella, a little everywhere, puts it in a different frame.// //It is a matter of the same error as the International House of Justice because the spiritual element was completely occulted.// //We must be with the Light of God and supported by the Holy Spirit.// //The civilization of tomorrow that is approaching will be great.// //Without spiritual values our society will be incapable of resolving its problems properly...even if the eminent men o state are preoccupied with it.// //It is necessary to have a new heart and a perspicacious eye, in order to find the Hidden Words...or the Seven Valleys.// //It is out of the question IN THE NAME OF UNITY, to falsify the Writings of Baha’u’llah and of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’.// //Since 1863, how have the stated principles been realized? They are in reality now.// //We are IN history and many learned people find it difficult to understand the continuation of the present occurrences in their aim...at first for the individual...then for the society, modifying the structures (as reported in my last letter sent to Kamran Taimouri...this letter was published in the Baha’i newsletter.)// //It is out of the question here, to focus toward one person but to defend the principles of the Faith itself...From the Most High toward the believer and from the believer toward the Most High, in order that the spiritual relationships practiced conform with the Message.// //Do not go by only human organizations. The Message of Baha’u’llah is a different form of conception, since it is HOLY, and different from the conceptions of the past.// //Actual democracy, that the people of the occident and others have organized in the result of an ancient Greek democracy, but modified, adapted, more or less perfected...In comparison with our civilization and compatible with our mentalities (although several centuries of royalty preceded it.)// //If we could understand, in its entirety, the organization in the message of Baha’u’llah, we would truly have a more distinctly spiritual order in the future.// //But alas, present day people are not yet able to understand the edifice that Shoghi Effendi started and for which he gave more than thirty years of his life with abnegation to the service of the Faith.// //The configuration of the present world does not correspond with the structures of the future civilization of tomorrow that Baha’u’llah sketched out in His different Writings.// //If today we undermine the Writings of Baha’u’llah, and of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, all the possibilities of fulfillment are lessened and the material motivations of men will not drive a civilization of weariness and of mediocre interest...same if technology and science procure for them the good materials for making life easy.// //True bliss is to find the road to the Light leading toward spirituality.// //Building a new form of civilization is not something easy and cannot be the work of only one life. The prize of spiritual consciousness is indispensable to the great majority of people.// //With the help of GOD, we all must instruct the people for a new concept of thins and of life.//

//Fraternally in el-Abha’,//

//Jacques Soghomonian// //**[Ridvan 1999]**// //**TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY IN HAIFA**// //**Whatever happens, the will of God will be established.**// //**Our intention is simply to explain why the Baha'i believers under Shoghi Effendi continue to believe in the succession of the Guardians, conforming to the covenant of God.**// //**Shoghi Effendi was faithful in all aspects relating to the development of the Faith. He took on his responsibilities as Guardian, realizing his objectives of translating the works of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Bhah' from Arabic to Persian int English, and then into French.**// //**His labor (one should rather say life's work) and his Office were in fulfillment of the prophecies announced in the Bible "a little child will lead them."**// //**The installation of the administrative order structures and their operation, contribute to the development of the faith.**// //**This administrative order must not be a substitute for the spiritual values [in our Faith], but must rather be the vehicle for Baha'i Thought - borne from the spirituality released from the teachings of Baha'u'llah in all their profundidy, in all their loftiness. You have, and we have; supported in totality all that Shoghi Effendi has translated, written and given -to us] as counsels; commands and references.**// //**It is unthinkable, even impossible, that you could accept on the one hand Shoghi Effendi's handiwork, and roll bac or cancel - making forbidden - everything that relates to the principle of the Guardianship and its succeeding lineage of Guardians**// //**Shoghi's strategy was very clear, and it becomes forever clear once he proclaims, in 1951, the creation of the first embryonic International Council as "the most significant milestone in evolution of Administrative Order of the Faith of Baha'u'llah in course of last thirty years."**// //**Shoghi Effendi forwarded this proclamation by telegram to all the national spiritual assemblies of the Baha'i World. You know perfectly well its contents... This body was to become developed in the future through the election of the Universal House of Justice. He specified the principle structure of this body, by appointing its officers and its President.**// //**Shoghi Effendi was conscious of the necessity of preserving the Guardianship in conformity with God's Covenant and the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha', translated by Shoghi himself.**// //**These documents (The Kitab-i-'Ahd and the Will and Testament were read and accepted by thousands of Baha'i believers.**// //**The circumstances surrounding the sudden death of Shoghi Effendi, and the consequences of the events which followed, have lead you into ways that are contrary to the Faith...**//  //**In the name of blood lineage you have openly declared the Guardianship ended and forbidden...without taking into account the fact that when a Guardian is named by the living Guardian, he acquires the force and the strength, the spiritual edification, to uphold the Covenant.**//  //**By doing this, you have become the first violators of the Baha'i Faith since the time of the Hands of the Cause. You had the responsibility and the duty of following, through your work, the path prepared by Shoghi Effendi.**//  //**As for you, Ruhiyyih Rabbani, although you served your Guardian in a dignified way,[and] wrote marvelous books about him, yet without any prerogative you went against the decisions of Shoghi Effendi.**// //**Shoghi Effendi's position as Guardian - although there is no comparison of his station with [the supremely greater stations] of the three Central Figures of the faith - was a station of supremeacy. He was assisted by the power of the Covenant and his hands were not in the least bit chained.**// //**He transmitted to all the believers, which included the Hands of the Cause, who were supposed to be at his service, the essence of spiritual life.**// //**Under the terms presented - and it matters not the number of years since 9157-1960 - you have failed in your duty to protect the integrity of the Faith. You are responsible for your actions. NO ONE CAN GO AGAINST THE TESTAMENT AND COVENANT OF GOD DEFINED BY THE INVIOLABLE TEXTS.**// //**If you reject this letter today know that:**// //**-The establishment of the Baha'i World Charter, which rests on two pillars, the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice (as defined in the Dispensation of Baha'u'llah by Shoghi Effendi) will be realized, not by my will, but by that of Baha'u'llah.**// //**In the days and years that pass, through the power of the Covenant, you will be rejected for your disobedience - like the foam along the edge of the shore that's been cast out by the sea - although you may be on Sacred Ground and benefit from the presence of the tree Central Figures of the Faith, as well as from the spiritual essence radiating from Mount Carmel (this doesn't belong to you, but to the Bab, Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha'), where the believers on pilgrimage receive the waves of true life.**// //**Reconsider your attitude when you gather together at the International Assembly and take into account the non-conformity of the present situation.**// //**No matter what you decide and do, the truth will explode when the time arrives and the principle of the Guardianship is established again.**// //**Reflect: "An error multiplied does not become the truth..."**// //**Your present attitude has led the believers down a path that is inconsistent with the Covenant, and is not within the strait line taught by Shoghi Effendi.**// //**However, you have nevertheless developed humane ways, and that is good. But the World Charter of Baha'u'llah rests on the spiritual establishment of that which you have under-estimated, which are the spiritual essentials of the Faith, provided by the Guardianship.**// //**I leave you to your proper reflection.**// //**The Guardian of the Testament and the Covenant.**// //**[|Jacques Soghomonian].**// **// January 31, 2002 //** **// Marseille, Francee //** **// Dear friends in Bah'au'llah's faith, //** **// To the believer, God's Grace is one of the base elements, it is the spiritual food. //** **// My maternal grandfather learned about Baha'u'llah's faith in the Middle-East. When he returned to France, he conveyed the Baha'e faith to his children. My mother was the one who embraced the faith the most and taught it to my younger brother and myself. We were conscious that Baha'u'llah, by his proclamation in 1963, fulfilled the Bible's prophecies regarding the return of Christ and the establishment of one single Faith by different prophets of different religions. From an early age, we taught the Baha'i teachings. I held several positions, one of them was as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of France, in Paris. //** **// The most important duty for the present is to encourage the believers to know Baha'u'llah's writings perfectly. The first assignment must be done on ourselves: our moral, intellectual, and most importantly, our spiritual education. We carry within ourselves the very essence of the Faith. Without a doubt, through what we are, by our words and our behavior, we'll influence other human beings. Even if you are criticized, shake the dust from your shoes. God is witness. //** **// Baha'u'llah's world wide Faith has such a spiritual richness. After the study of all the riligions, including Christianity, the spirituality which radiates from Baha'u'llah's writings has an unequaled strength. //** **// In our civilization, material and spiritual conflicts are obvious, but the civilization described by Baha'u'llah is one where spirituality is a common denominator. He gives us the means. You'll find below three excerpts from "the Administrative Order of the Dispensation of Baha'u'llah" derived from the Will and Testament of the Master. We'll acknowledge the reality of the terrible tests that we're presently experiencing, since4 Shoghi Effendi's passing: //**

**// "...[The system of Baha'i Administration]...derives its authority from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha', is specifically prescribed in unnumbered Tablets, and rests in some of its essential features upon the explicit provisions of the Kitab-i-Aqdas. It thus unifies and correlates the principles separately laid down by Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha', and is indissolubly bound with the essential verities of the Faith. To dissociate the administrative principles of the Cause from the purely spiritual and humanitarian teachings would be tantamount to a mutilation of the body of the Cause, a separation that can only result in the disintegration of its component parts, and the extinction of the Faith itself." //** **// Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 5 //**

**// "...The twin pillars that support this mighty Administrative Structure - the institutions of the guardianship and of the Universal House of Justice." //** //**Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 147**//

**// "It should be stated, at the very outset, in clear and ambiguous language, that these twin institutions of the Administrative Order of Baha'u'llah should be regarded as divine in origin, essential in their functions and complimentary in their aim and purpose. Their common, their fundamental object is to insure the continuity of that divinely-appointed authority which flows from the source of our faith, to safeguard the unity of its followers and to maintain the integrity and flexibility of its teachings. Acting in conjunction with each other these two inseparable institutions institutions administer its affairs, subsidiary institutions. Severally, each operates within a clearly defined sphere of jurisdiction; each is equipped with its own attendant institution-instruments designed for the effective discharge of its particular responsibilities and duties." //** **// Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 148 //**

**// O spring of joy in the faith, //** **// Fidelity in El Abha. //** **// Your fourth guardian //**

**// [|Jacques Soghomonian]. //**

//[|To all the believers, faithful to the Will and the Covenant of]// //[| Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha]// //On this day, February the tenth 2005, after thinking a lot for the good Cause of the aha’i Faith, I have taken the following decisions://

//According to the powers I was confirmed on as the Fourth Guardian and faithful to the Covenant of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha, on account of my health problem, I had nominated Kamran Taimouri as my successor as far as the carrying on of the Guardianship was concerned. That was done on November 25th 2003. Today February 10th 2005, I definitely nominate Kamran Taimouri as the Hands of the Cause of God to comfort the structure of the Faith in the USA. I do hope Kamran Taimouri will accept my decision...*// //Mrs. Jean Miller [is appointed] as the coordinator for carrying on [the progress] and growth of the Faith [in USA].// //In faithfulness to the Covenant in its spirit and its letters, do not forget the obedience to the Covenant and the truth that goes with it. This obedience is the main rule for all the Faithful and it will give you Baha’u’llah’s assistance.// //Last but not least with my intense prayer, here is my supreme and final willingness: I indisputably name as my successor Mr. Enayatollah Sarvestani YAZDANI [living at] 2c Hampden Road Pennant Hill, NSW,Australia. He will be the 5th Guardian after my death.//

//As the number of the believers is increasing all over the world, we must set up the Guardianship Funds in accordance with the Covenant. More information will be given in the following letters.// //With all my affection and my prayers to all of you,//

//Faithfully in Al-Abha// //Sincerely yours// //Signed// [|//Jacques Soghomonian//] *Mr. Kamran Taimouri has accepted the decision of the Guardian and he has confirmed it in his letter of February 28, 2005 in which original certified copy was sent to E.S. Yazdani and the same was published in “ The Friends” of March 2005 edition. Mr. Jacques Soghomonian has signed the original text of his will in which it was written, in French, entirely in his own hand writing and the translated of the same text in English. The signature of Mr. Jacques Soghomonian on both documents was certified/witnessed/sealed at Me GERAUDIE, notaire associe a Marseille (2○) 3, Rue de la Republique. The French text consists of two pages in Mr. J. Soghomonian hand writing. The English translation of the same text was translated and written by L. S. The English text consists of two pages as well. The original texts were received by E.S. Yazdani on January5, 2007