20 December 1955

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your loving letter of December 8th was received and immediately presented to our Beloved Guardian:

He directed me to cable you yesterday, which I did, as follows:

"Guardian approves your asking other National a.s.semblies write Court.

Suggests you write them direct giving full particulars. Does not feel exhibit appropriate until final Temple design approved. Writing."

The Guardian fully approved of your asking the various National a.s.semblies to write the Court, with regard to the World Importance of the Temple. He felt you should write them direct, giving them full particulars as to what you wish in the letters, to whom to be addressed, and any other pertinent data required. He hopes this will be helpful in working out this important matter.

The Guardian felt it would be inadvisable to have an exhibit of proposals for the Temple, until such time as the final plan is approved. Thus you should hold the exhibit in abeyance until later. I am having sent you by separate mail, the designs, photographs, etc. which you sent to the Guardian.

The Guardian a.s.sures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends you his loving Greetings....

LETTER OF 3 FEBRUARY 1956

3 February 1956

Dear Baha'i Sister:

The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write to your a.s.sembly explaining his view that now that the National Hazira has been established and is well able to take care of the national office of the National a.s.sembly; that the office of the Secretary of the National a.s.sembly should be established there as soon as convenient.

From the Hazira, all the national administrative activities should emanate, and this cannot be done unless the National Secretary's office is established there. He requests your a.s.sembly study the matter and see if it cannot soon work out some plan whereby the National Secretary's office can permanently be established in Frankfurt in the National Hazira.

The Guardian a.s.sures the members of the a.s.sembly of his prayers in their behalf. He sends you his loving Greetings....

LETTER OF 20 MARCH 1956

20 March 1956

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Thank you for your loving letter of March 10th, with regard to the translations into Russian.

I hope the pamphlet which Mrs. Sommerau has prepared will soon be published, so that there will be literature available for this teaching work.

The Guardian is extremely anxious of course for proper contacts to be made with the believers behind the Iron Curtain. However the utmost circ.u.mspection must be used; and certainly no one must enter into correspondence with them. I think you should inform ... that the Guardian is anxious for the closest contacts to be opened and maintained, but not through correspondence. Likewise when any Baha'i goes behind the Iron Curtain and contacts the believers, it must be done very quietly and carefully.

Do I understand from the letter that ... is intending to enter behind the Iron Curtain to visit the believers? This would be commendable if it can be done....

LETTER OF 23 MARCH 1956

23 March 1956

Dear Baha'i Friends:

The beloved Guardian was happy to receive your message of greeting dated February 19th, signed by all those present, and to see that it was possible for such a large number of the friends to attend this gathering.

He hopes that this year, Number 113, the Year of Abha of the sixth Vahid in the Baha'i calendar, will prove to be a truly "Most Luminous" one; and that, in spite of the ever-present difficulties which must constantly be met and surmounted, your National a.s.sembly, reinforced in all its efforts by the entire body of the believers, may cause the Faith to forge ahead in those regions with yet greater momentum and power.

He will remember you all in his loving prayers....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide every step you take, remove all obstacles from your path, and aid you to win great victories in the service of His glorious Faith,

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 25 MARCH 1956

25 March 1956

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Referring to your loving letter of March 19th with regard to the designs for the Temple in Frankfurt:

The designs of the second compet.i.tion were duly received by the beloved Guardian. He is now giving them very active consideration. As soon as some decision is reached, I will be glad to communicate with you at once.

The members of the International Council greatly appreciate your warm Naw-Ruz greetings, which they reciprocate most heartily. We will pray at the Shrines that every success will attend your efforts; and that the most important subject of the Temple grounds and Temple land will be satisfactorily settled in the very near future....

LETTER OF 6 APRIL 1956