"We see therefore that we must do two things-- Shun politics like the plague, and be obedient to the Government in power in the place where we reside... We must obey in all cases except where a spiritual principle is involved, such as denying our Faith. For these spiritual principles we must be willing to die. What we Baha'is must face is the fact that society is disintegrating so rapidly that moral issues which were clear a half century ago are now hopelessly confused and what is more, thoroughly mixed up with battling political interests. That is why the Baha'is must turn all their forces into the channel of building up the Baha'i Cause and its Administration. They can neither change nor help the world in any other way at present. If they become involved in the issues the Governments of the world are struggling over, they will be lost. But if they build up the Baha'i pattern they can offer it as a remedy when all else has failed." (58:1)

154 PRAYER (Five Steps of)
"Regarding the five steps of prayer outlined by the Guardian, and recorded by Mrs. Moffett in her booklet, the `Call to Prayer', these, he wishes me to explain, are merely personal suggestions and need not, therefore, be adopted strictly and universally by the believers." (58:2)

155 PRAYER BEADS
"In the matter of the use and distribution of prayer beads, in this and other matters of secondary importance he does not wish that any hard and fast rules be set up. The believers should not be required to use prayer beads, nor should they be prevented from doing so, as the Teachings do not contain any specific instruction on the subject." (58:3)

156 PRAYER (Baha'u'llah's in Dispensation)
"The names of those cited in Baha'u'llah's Prayer in the Dispensation are quite correct as you gave them, (Abraham, Moses, Joseph, John the Baptist, Christ, Muhammad, Imam Husayn, the Bab and Baha'u'llah.) (58:4)

"The Prophets `regarded as one and the same person' include the lesser Prophets as well, and not merely those who bring a `Book'. The station is different, but They are Prophets and Their nature thus different from that of ours. (58:5)

"In the prayer mentioned above Baha'u'llah identifies Himself with Imam Husayn. This does not make him a Prophet, but his position was very unique, and we know Baha'u'llah claims to be the `return' of the Imam Husayn. He, in other words, identifies His Spirit with these Holy Souls gone before, that does not, of course, make Him in any way their re- incarnation. Nor does it mean all of them were Prophets." (58:6)

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