• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are
• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are edited. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week’s subject is on curiosity. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
The Baha’is of Kaua‘i
The manifestations of God throughout the ages suffered hardships at the hands of their tormentors. They allowed themselves to be tortured and even martyred to fulfill their mission as the mouthpiece of God for their day. They bore their sufferings with dignity and acceptance and with the realization that their sacrifices would result in the betterment of mankind.
Through them we have learned submission to the will of God and to look beyond this transitory world to the spiritual world beyond.
“But some there are who have found divine intelligence and have obtained spiritual understanding. They have the real sight. They know of the other worlds. That is why the prophets of God forfeited this world, renounced everything material and gave their hearts to the heavenly world.
“Were there nothing after death, Christ would not have accepted the cross; the prophets of all time would not have sacrificed their lives. They were in touch with the celestial world and they overlooked this transitory life. This is the fruit of the tree of creation — to be freed from the darkness of the planet in order to enter the worlds of light. This is the object of existence; this is the fruit of the tree of humanity.”
Mankind also suffers hardship, but not as punishment from God. Man’s cruelty to man is well-documented. Man also suffers from natural circumstances. With our eyes fixed on the spiritual world, we can be freed from the effects of hardships in this temporal world. We can continue to be obedient to the will of God and to doing good works. If life becomes too difficult we can always depend on God’s love and assistance.
“If thy daily living become difficult, soon thy Lord will bestow upon thee that which shall satisfy thee. Be patient in the time of affliction and trial, endure every difficulty and hardship with a dilated heart, attracted spirit and eloquent tongue in remembrance of the merciful. Verily this is the life of satisfaction, the spiritual existence, heavenly repose, divine benediction and the celestial table. Soon thy Lord will extenuate thy straitened circumstances even in this world.”
As a loving community we prepare the next generation to obey God and to live a life of service to mankind. This preparation does not involve giving in to a child’s every demand or whim. Children need to learn good work habits and persistence, while maintaining their willingness to endure difficulties to achieve worthwhile goals.
“While the children are yet in their infancy feed them from the breast of heavenly grace, foster them in the cradle of all excellence, rear them in the embrace of bounty. Give them the advantage of every useful kind of knowledge. Let them share in every new and rare and wondrous craft and art. Bring them up to work and strive, and accustom them to hardship. Teach them to dedicate their lives to matters of great import, and inspire them to undertake studies that will benefit mankind.”
