Via Malenchini 6 - Florence, Italy
24 August, 1975
My dear Dr. "Leland" Jensen:
When a man puts forth a claim such as yours, it is neither easy to accept nor refute for the consequences are great, indeed, either way.
I have just come from a visit to the Cemetery where Mason's remains are temporarily housed in a vault above ground awaiting completion of his tomb. My prayers ended with a plea that some inspiration reach me to properly reply to your last letter; - a most difficult task for one who has had no professional training for writing. By "nature" I am a talker and as a result my letters end up more like someone speaking rather than writing. The written word, being preserved, it always torments me to have to face up to the task.
Mr. Remey held the entire Jensen family in very high esteem. Perhaps I have already mentioned to you the fact that I met your brother Alvaro and was very impressed when he and his wife Ann visited Mason in Washington, D.C. Your wife, Dr. Opal has been one of the very few Baha'is (after Mason's death) to show her appreciation for my services to him and as that help came at a time when it was direly needed, that help shall never be forgotten. My admiration and respect for you both and for the work you have been doing for the Baha'i Cause knows no bounds. You have succeeded in bringing into the Fold of Baha'u'llah some very fine souls who have contacted me and who have given me such spiritual pleasure. What is more, Leland, you and I have many things in common and shall become true, fast friends when we meet one day.
My plea to you, in my previous letter, was made to avoid difficulties for these newly initiated Baha'is as well as some of the others who have (as myself) bees so sorely tried so many times....as you have yourself, no doubt more so than any other. Perhaps, I can appreciate more then all others your personal "trials" and "tribulations". Not that mine have been anything like yours; - but I have had a "taste" of what it means to have my avalance of vituperations fall over me.....not to mention the false accusations and envy and indignities.....all coming from scoundrels who go by the name of "Baha'is". In His Hidden Words, Baha'u'llah put all this down by His Own Pen and it is a spiritual balm to read His words in this regard.
I know from my own experience how frustrating and spiritually demoralizing it can be when difficulties of the present nature arise in the Faith.
You have successfully carried on your work without an active Guardian thus far and for the accomplishment of that which you are aiming, an active Guardian does not seem essential at this time, at least. Why not go on as you are doing with our TRUST that all will work itself out according to The WILL of God? You see, Dr. Jensen, I want neither to be totally "negative" nor "Positive" in what you propose. This is not a question of cowardliness nor is it "procrastination", as you suggested, but merely my way of avoiding the creation of a situation which might Cause anguish and unhappiness to others and irreparable damage to the Cause.
Dear "Leland" Jensen; You see, your claim goes much beyond the "limits" of my understanding of the Cause of Baha'u'llah from Whose Writings we have been made to believe that fully a thousand years would pass ere another High-Prophet would appear. What is more, that Baha'u'llah is Himself the Promised one of all ages---the return of Christ. All of your quotations from "Some Answered Questions" have previously been taken to refer to the Person of Baha'u'llah. Mason Remey often stressed to me the point that "Jesus" was the man....the physical being...while "Christ" was and is the Holy Spirit. It is difficult for me to be reconciled to your claim to be the Promised Joshua (Jesus) for Jesus was not to return (as you yourself state) in His Former Person but rather the Christ was to return. Was not Baha'u'llah THAT Christ?
(over)
1
"Leland", please believe me, it is not my intention to oppose or to object or negate your claim in any way. As I wrote you previously, I can only marvel and envy you the convictions you hold to so convincingly. Were these convictions mine, I should not hesitate to place myself at your back and call and to proudly fit into the set-up you have "ordained" for me.
You know the teachings so well that you agree Baha'u'llah gave us many warnings against "impostors" and "those who seek to advance themselves";--against fanatics, etc. Thus, a claim such as yours must be either very valid or a flagrant violation of the Cause of Baha'u'llah. And, because of the NATURE of your claim, I surely cannot afford to reject it because of my lack of understanding.
Once, in a discussion with Mason, I pointed out some words uttered by Jesus Christ....which words, if valid, would have been in opposition to that which Mason was saying. He (Mason) paused awhile then looked at me and simply said: "Pepe, Jesus didn't know"......I wanted to laugh in his face but controlled myself. Much later, I understood. He did not say: "Christ didn't know"....but "Jesus". There is a difference. So, you see, Leland, it is not difficult for me to believe that a person living to-day, endowed with the Gift of Divine Understanding, is able to reveal things which former High-Prophets may have failed to do or did according to their own times and limitations. If and when I may reconcile myself spiritually to your claims, it would not matter to me How or Why I should be or not be the Third Guardian of the Faith for your Spiritual & Divine authority would be sufficient reason for me to respond.
As for Donald Harvey; - you may be certain that no one on this earth - Since Mason's passing - is closer to me spiritually. He is a praiseworthy person and spiritually most unique. We both agreed on the question of successor and we have sufficient evidence in Mason's own hand to justify the stand we took and hold to still. That evidence goes hand in hand and beyond Mason's statement naming Donald his successor. Having lived in such close proximity to Mason for so long (since 1950) no doubt I came to know his mind and what he intended and why he acted as he did better than any living person. Therefore, I must necessarily (keeping in mind what I know) act according to the dictates of my heart, soul and mind. It is not my intention to insinuate that I believe what Mason meant or intended is to be final. However, until things are not clarified for me these are the convictions by which I must be guided.
Yours, Leland, is a reasoning mind and you have great understanding. It is my hope you will judge me by the same standards you wish yourself to be judged and by which you yourself judge others; - else where is the Justice so dear to the Heart of Baha'u'llah?
When you were told you were the Promised "Joshua", you asked that it not be revealed for a time. Yet, you knew it of yourself. I wish I could say the same with regards the Guardianship (successorship of). I cannot. Will you then at least allow me the time which you yourself required for your own purposes?
My hope and trust lies in the Will of God and that He will find the way to resolve these problems. In the meantime, let us all keep united in The Guardianship for while the Guardians come and go and serve only a short period of time, the GUARDIANSHIP is the Divine Institution of the Faith that must be preserved. That is what Mason Remey strove and gave so much of himself for and, in his memory, for the love and respect I still and always shall hold for him, it is what I am principally interested in doing. In the meantime, let the matter of the Third Guardian rest and let each one decide for himself without making a definite issue of it.
Faithfully and affectionately,
Joseph Pepe Remey
Source: Dave Cornell, http://web.archive.org/web/20020714061414/www.lelandjensen.net/html/pepe/750824doc.htm