Abdu'l-Baha Letters

some correspondences between Abdu'l-Baha and Mason Remey.

"As Shoghi Effendi, in his “Dispensation”, states that “…in the person of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the incompatible characteristics of a human nature and superhuman knowledge and perfection have been blended and are completely harmonized” (World Order 134). It is obviously impossible for anyone in any discussion to take away from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s inner reality His “superhuman knowledge and perfection”. In the light of this, it would be entirely in order, I think, to be confident in the conclusion that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in His inner being, would have been aware of future events" Ali Nakhjavani "Towards World Order, pg. 48" http://bahai-library.com/pdf/2005_03/nakhjavani_talks_world_order.pdf

"God has certain treasuries hidden in the world which He reveals when the time comes." Abdu'l-Baha'

Untranslated Letter from Abdu'l-Baha to Mason Remey

[tentative translation, letter 86, Vol 12 Remey Stanford Archive]

one of the main issues with these letters is the monicker "son". This has been put forward by supporters of continuing Guardianship of spiritual adoption of Mason Remey, similarly it is suggested that Shoghi Effendi's use of the term 'brother' is also an indication of adoption. AB uses such terms as "daughter of the Kingdom of God" and "son of the Kingdom of God" for many people in the letters published in the Star of the West. Shoghi likewise uses the term 'brother' frequently for fellow male believers. However, I have not been able to find any letters indicating the intimate relationship or where AB calls another believer his son aside from Mason Remey and Fred Mortenson, both of which met with scorn and jealousy from other Baha'is for their esteemed position of intimacy with AB, (see Mortenson story, http://www.fredmortensen.org/academicstudies.pdf). It should be pointed out that according to the diary of Mason Remey on his last visit in person with AB, AB said he had explicitly adopted him and he was AB's "real son". Additionally, after AB's passing Mason Remey did receive a small inheritance in the form of a token of Baha'u'llah's blood and hair. I have not been able to find other people that have received any inheritance of this type or where AB said that he had explicitly adopted them following at least traditional Islamic custom regarding adoption (arabic: kafala).

Letters from the Barstow Archive:

http://www.h-net.org/~bahai/docs/vol13/

index of archive is at http://www.h-net.org/~bahai/docs/vol13/BarstowCollectionIndex.txt

(click on image for larger version)

story of Joseph in Baha'i Writings, http://bahai-library.com/stokes_joseph_babi_bahai