The aim of any Spiritual Assembly should be to develop a warm
and loving relationship with the believers in its community, so that it can
most effectively nurture and encourage them in the acquisition of a deeper
understanding of the teachings, and can assist them to follow the Bahá'í
principles in their personal conduct. The Assembly should aspire to being
regarded by the members of the community as a loving parent, wise in its
understanding of the varying degrees of maturity of those entrusted to its
care, compassionate in dealing with the problems which arise as a result of any
shortcomings, ever prepared to guide them to the correct path, and very patient
as they strive to effect the necessary changes in their behaviour. Such an
approach is far removed from the harshly judgmental and punitive approach which
so often characterizes the administration of law in the wider society. The
Bahá'í application of justice, firmly rooted in spiritual principle and
animated by the desire to foster the spiritual development of the members of
the community, will increasingly be seen as a distinctive and highly attractive
feature of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 9 December 1991 written on behalf of
the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly)
