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A student asked her professor, 'Would it be possible for all the peoples of the world to live in America?' The professor paused, made some calculations, and said, 'Yes, if they were all friends.' The power of the Baha'i Faith lies in this: It makes friends of old enemies. (2:12) The following diagram portrays the spiritual design for the 'tabernacle of unity' as declared by Baha'u'llah. (2:13) On that day the Lord shall be one Lord and his name the one name. Zechariah 14:9 (2:14) He Who is your Lord, the All Merciful, cherisheth in His heart the desire of beholding the entire human race as one soul and one body.8 Baha'u'llah (2:15) In every dispensation, the light of Divine Guidance has been focused upon one central theme...In this wondrous Revelation, this glorious century, the foundation of the Faith of God, and the distinguishing feature of His Law, is the consciousness of the oneness of mankind.9 'Abdu'l-Baha (2:16) This prophecy is specifically addressed to us; it is both an invitation and a warning to the people of our time: (2:17) Gather together, gather together... before the appointed time arrives... before the day of the Lord's wrath comes upon you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger. Zephaniah 2:1-3 (2:18) Thus, our failure to bring unity will lead to grave consequences for all humanity. (2:19) A president's fondest dream was to initiate 'a thousand points of light' in his nation. Yet, despite his power, he failed. Baha'u'llah's purpose is to make every heart an immortal point of light. Every Baha'i on this planet works for this very end. (2:20) Only God can touch hearts, only He can build 'the house:' (2:21) Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders have toiled in vain. Psalms 127:1 (2:22) Prayers for unity from the Baha'i Scriptures: (2:23) O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose. May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law. Help them, O God, in their endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee. O God! Leave them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of Thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by Thy love. Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord.10 Baha'u'llah (2:24) O Lord God! Make us as waves of the sea, as flowers of the garden, united, agreed through the bounties of Thy love. O Lord!...make all mankind as stars shining from the same height of glory, as perfect fruits growing upon Thy tree of life. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Self-Subsistent, the Giver, the Forgiving, the Pardoner, the Omniscient, the One Creator.11 'Abdu'l-Baha (2:25) References: |