In January 1984 the Universal House of Justice addressed a historic message to the Bahá’í youth of the world. Although the immediate concern of the message was with the 1985 International Youth Year, the letter’s impact was far greater, as its soul-stirring contents conveyed an exciting vision of the future opportunities and tasks of an entire generation. The response of the Bahá’í youth has subsequently led to plans beyond 1985 and to an upsurge of youth activity in many countries that may well signal the beginning of a movement that, in the words of the Universal House of Justice, has already “caught the imagination of the friends far and wide.”
During the many consultations of the youth about the implications of a Bahá’í youth movement that would attract the support of thousands of youth on every continent, it became clear that the greatest challenge to each individual participant would be learning to live according to a spiritual discipline akin to that of the first generation of the youth of this Dispensation—of Mullá Ḥusayn, Ṭáhirih, Quddús, and Badí‘. Striving for such a discipline, in turn, would imply achieving a new balance in life, a balance that would be conducive to heroic deeds and to a state of complete devotion. Indeed, each individual youth would have to struggle against the pressures of an environment that at its best interprets as moderation the notion of living comfortably according to the norms of mediocrity and that consistently tries to pull youth away from true spiritual excellence and from commitment to significant social change. The Bahá’í youth would have to achieve a different vision of moderation and, to do so, would have to remind themselves constantly of the sacrifices of their brethren in Iran during the recent years.
It became clear in the deliberations that, in order to rise to their high destiny, the Bahá’í youth would have to analyze themselves, their potential, and the world with a logic different from the reasoning they have inherited from a materialistic society; they would have to see through the eyes of faith and systematically plan and achieve goals that would seem impossible to everyone untouched by the fire of their zeal. Yet practical questions always remained. How would the youth organize their lives to meet the challenges of their generation and of their own growth and preparation and, at the same time, follow the standards of dedication and action required by the special call of the Universal House of Justice that they “contribute significantly to shaping the societies of the coming century” and that they “move the world”.
The answer clearly lies in the dynamic of a spiritual life very different from the present life-style fragmented by opposing social forces, forces that themselves are in conflict with the true human spirit. The challenge is to live a spiritual life that is whole, pure, intense, purposeful, active, and responsive to all the requirements of being a Bahá’í youth in this moment of history. The present compilation prepared by the Bahá’í National Youth Committee and the Publishing Trust of the Bahá’ís of the United States exactly tries to integrate the many aspects of such a spiritual life of service and dedication to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. It is hoped that it will become our close companion in all our endeavors as we participate in the unfoldment of the destiny of the present generation of Bahá’í youth throughout the world.
Farzam Arbab
Blessed is he who in the prime of his youth and the heyday of his life will arise to serve the Cause of the Lord of the beginning and of the end, and adorn his heart with His love. The manifestation of such a grace is greater than the creation of the heavens and of the earth.
Blessed are the steadfast and well is it with those who are firm.
—Bahá’u’lláh