'All Belong To One Household'

Images used courtesy of NASA. Use does not imply endorsement. Excerpt © BIC.

“When we review history from the beginning down to the present day, we find that strife and warfare have prevailed throughout the human world. Wars — religious, racial or political — have arisen from human ignorance, misunderstanding and lack of education,” stated ~ `Abdu’l-Bahá at a meeting of the International Peace Forum at Grace Methodist Church at West 104th St. in New York City on May 12, 1912*. “We will first consider religious strife and conflict.

“It is evident that the divine Prophets have appeared in the world to establish love and agreement among mankind. … {I}n this day the divine teachings must be sought, for they are the remedies for the present conditions of the world of humanity. The purpose of a remedy is to heal and cure. If it be productive of worse symptoms, its absence or discontinuance is preferable.

“… {The establishment} of the divine religions is for peace, not for war and the shedding of blood. Inasmuch as all are founded upon one reality which is love and unity, the wars and dissensions which have characterized the history of religion have been due to imitations and superstitions which arise afterward. Religion is reality, and reality is one. The fundamentals of the religion of God are, therefore, one in reality. There is neither difference nor change in the fundamentals. Variance is caused by blind imitations, prejudices and adherence to forms which appear later; and inasmuch as these differ, discord and strife result. If the religions of the world would forsake these causes of difficulty and seek the fundamentals, all would agree, and strife and dissension would pass away; for religion and reality are one and not multiple.

Image © BWAA CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Excerpt © BIC. Used with permission.

“… {H}umanity is one kind, one race and progeny, inhabiting the same globe. In the creative plan there is no racial distinction and separation such as Frenchman, Englishman, American, German, Italian or Spaniard; all belong to one household. These boundaries and distinctions are human and artificial, not natural and original. All mankind are the fruits of one tree, flowers of the same garden, waves of one sea  …

“This earth is one household and the native land of all humanity; therefore, the human race should ignore distinctions and boundaries which are artificial and conducive to disagreement and hostility. … Man is endowed with powers to investigate reality, and the reality is that humanity is one in kind and equal in the creative plan. Therefore, false distinctions of race and native land, which are factors and causes of warfare, must be abandoned.”

*From the book titled “The Promulgation of Universal Peace.” © Bahá’í International Community.

Be Like The Butterfly; Lover Of Light

© BWAA. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Pacific Grove, USA. Excerpt © BIC.

I am unable to find this translation in the new Authoritative Reference Library, but because it was approved for use in the past in my artwork, I am still using it with the stipulation that the former translation must have been updated.

“Therefore, man must be the seeker after the Reality, and he will find that Reality in each of the Sanctified Souls. He must be fascinated and enraptured, and attracted to the divine bounty; he must be like the butterfly who is the lover of the light from whatever lamp it may shine, and like the nightingale who is the lover of the rose in whatever garden it may grow.” ~ `Abdu’l-Bahá

Prejudices Destroy Humanity's Edifice

© BWAA. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Carson City, Nev., USA. Excerpt © BIC.

by Glenn Franco Simmons

Prejudices of all kinds seem to be metastasizing, from violent protests to wars and even threaten thermonuclear war at the present.

 “They are polarizing societies at a time when unity is most vital to resolving local, national, and global challenges that seem intractable,” wrote the Universal house of Justice in a 2022 letter. “The statements in the writings of the Faith about the harm that prejudice inflicts on individuals and on society are most emphatic. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has stated that human beings are degraded when they become captives of their own illusions and suppositions. Prejudice stains the human spirit, debases both its perpetrator and its victim, obscures perception and understanding, and prevents the achievement of that lofty standard of justice. …”

In “The Promulgation of Universal Peace,” `Abdu’l-Bahá wrote, “… Bahá’u’lláh declares that all forms of prejudice among mankind must be abandoned and that until existing prejudices are entirely removed, the world of humanity will not and cannot attain peace, prosperity and composure. This principle cannot be found in any other sacred volume than the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.”

“… Among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is that religious, racial, political, economic and patriotic prejudices destroy the edifice of humanity,” writes ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá in “Tablets to The Hague.”  “As long as these prejudices prevail, the world of humanity will not have rest. …

“As long as these prejudices persist, the struggle for existence must remain dominant, and bloodthirstiness and rapacity continue. Therefore, even as was the case in the past, the world of humanity cannot be saved from the darkness of nature and cannot attain illumination except through the abandonment of prejudices and the acquisition of the morals of the Kingdom.”

© BWAA. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Carson City, Nev., USA. Excerpt © BIC.

The House of Justice quoted `Abdu’l-Bahá, who wrote in “Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá”: “Let them see no one as their enemy, or as wishing them ill, but think of all humankind as their friends; regarding the alien as an intimate, the stranger as a companion, staying free of prejudice, drawing no lines.”

One could say that world peace begins at home in each human heart.

“An individual’s efforts in this respect must begin with earnest striving to develop attributes of the soul such as love, truthfulness, kindness, justice, and generosity; to purify the heart of selfishness, envy, and hate; and to align the mind with Bahá’u’lláh’s principles of unity,” the House of Justice writes.

“A believer’s duty at all times is to demonstrate the unifying power of Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings by associating with diverse peoples with a spacious heart, an all-embracing love, and a spirit of true friendship. As was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s injunction, ‘Let those who meet you know, without your proclaiming the fact, that you are indeed a Bahá’í.’”

Sweet-scented Streams Of Thine Eternity

© BWAA. Excerpt from Bahá’í prayer below. © BIC.

From the sweet-scented streams of Thine eternity give me to drink, O my God, and of the fruits of the tree of Thy being enable me to taste, O my Hope! From the crystal springs of Thy love suffer me to quaff, O my Glory, and beneath the shadow of Thine everlasting providence let me abide, O my Light! Within the meadows of Thy nearness, before Thy presence, make me able to roam, O my Beloved, and at the right hand of the throne of Thy mercy, seat me, O my Desire! From the fragrant breezes of Thy joy let a breath pass over me, O my Goal, and into the heights of the paradise of Thy reality let me gain admission, O my Adored One! To the melodies of the dove of Thy oneness suffer me to hearken, O Resplendent One, and through the spirit of Thy power and Thy might quicken me, O my Provider! In the spirit of Thy love keep me steadfast, O my Succorer, and in the path of Thy good pleasure set firm my steps, O my Maker! Within the garden of Thine immortality, before Thy countenance, let me abide for ever, O Thou Who art merciful unto me, and upon the seat of Thy glory stablish me, O Thou Who art my Possessor! To the heaven of Thy loving-kindness lift me up, O my Quickener, and unto the Daystar of Thy guidance lead me, O Thou my Attractor! Before the revelations of Thine invisible spirit summon me to be present, O Thou Who art my Origin and my Highest Wish, and unto the essence of the fragrance of Thy beauty, which Thou wilt manifest, cause me to return, O Thou Who art my God!

Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou art, verily, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious, the All-Highest.

~ Bahá’u’lláh

(Used according to Bahá’í International Community terms. Excerpt © BIC. Photo © BWAA.)

Loving Message To My LDS Brothers, Sisters

Photo source: Entheta, Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 3.0.

by Glenn Franco Simmons 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently suffered grievous losses that have shocked the world.

In writing this tribute to my LDS brothers and sisters, verses are derived directly from the Book of Mormon and align with LDS teachings (as I understand them) on enduring persecution through faith — a theme rooted in the historical experiences of the early Saints.

“And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are laid upon your shoulders... And it came to pass that so great was the burden they had to bear, and so great was the sorrow of their hearts, that they could not bear it.” ~ Mosiah 24:13–15

“This passage recounts the experience of Believers enduring severe persecution and bondage, during which they receive divine reassurance,” Grok noted. “It acknowledges the profound weight of sorrow while affirming the promise of relief and deliverance, making it particularly apt for addressing the pain of an attack while instilling hope.”

“But Alma said unto him: Trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except he be a man of God. … And he [Alma] said unto them: Be not troubled, for, when you cannot obtain deliverance, ye shall be delivered in mine own due time.” ~ Alma 14:11

“Drawn from the narrative of Alma and Amulek witnessing the martyrdom of faithful women and children for their beliefs,” Grok noted, “this verse provides reassurance in the midst of profound violence and loss. It encourages trust in God’s timing during persecution, offering a message of enduring hope for those impacted by such an event.”

“O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou not comfort my soul in Christ? O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength... that I may be filled with joy and not be cast down.” ~ Alma 31:31

Exterior of Carthage Jail by C.C.A. Christensen depicting the death of Joseph Smith, Jr. A beam of sunlight
from parting clouds prevented a mobster from decapitating Smith's body. Courtesy Brigham Young
University Museum of Art via Wikipedia. Public domain.

“This verse captures Alma’s prayer amid opposition and spiritual turmoil on a mission, expressing deep grief and a plea for Divine comfort,” Grok stated. “It illustrates the transformation of sorrow into joy through Christ, making it an appropriate choice for extending sympathy to those grieving an act of hatred against their faith community.”

“Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love... He hath confounded mine enemies unto the destruction of the murderer of my father.” ~ Nephi 4:19–21

“In this reflection,” Grok explained, “Nephi contemplates personal losses, including his father’s death, and the threats posed by enemies, while affirming God’s sustaining love and protection. This resonates with the context of a church attack, emphasizing divine preservation as a counter to adversity.”

May God continue to bless The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

Messengers Of God As One Soul

Kol Sharif Mosque, Kazan, Russia. Flickr. Photo by Maxim Malkov. Attribution-NonCommercial
2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0). Image use does not imply Mr. Malkov's endorsement of such use. 

If thou be of the inmates of this city within the ocean of divine unity, thou wilt view all the Prophets and Messengers of God as one soul and one body, as one light and one spirit, in such wise that the first among them would be last and the last would be first. For they have all arisen to proclaim His Cause and have established the laws of divine wisdom. They are, one and all, the Manifestations of His Self, the Repositories of His might, the Treasuries of His Revelation, the Dawning-Places of His splendour, and the Daysprings of His light. Through them are manifested the signs of sanctity in the realities of all things and the tokens of oneness in the essences of all beings. Through them are revealed the elements of glorification in the heavenly realities and the exponents of praise in the eternal essences. From them hath all creation proceeded and unto them shall return all that hath been mentioned. And since in their inmost Beings they are the same Luminaries and the self-same Mysteries, thou shouldst view their outward conditions in the same light, that thou mayest recognize them all as one Being, nay, find them united in their words, speech, and utterance. ~ Bahá’u’lláh, "Gems of Divine Mysteries."

(Excerpt: "Gems of Divine Mysteries." © Bahá’í International Community.)

'Seven Valleys' A Mystical Masterpiece

The Valley of Search. AI Art by BWAA. CC BY-NC 4.0. 

by Glenn Franco Simmons

Within the Bahá’í Writings is a profound mystical masterpiece written by Bahá’u’lláh titled, “The Seven Valleys.”

“{It was} revealed during His exile in Baghdad between 1856 and 1858, following His return from Kurdistan," Grok noted. “These works, addressed to Sufi mystics, outline the soul’s journey toward God, blending Persian poetic traditions with innovative spiritual guidance.”

Shoghi Effendi said “The Seven Valleys” and “The Four Valleys” (to be explored in a subsequent post) are “two outstanding contributions to the world’s religious literature, occupying respectively, positions of unsurpassed preeminence among the doctrinal and ethical writings of the Author of the Bahá’í Dispensation, was added, during that same period, a treatise that may well be regarded as His greatest mystical composition, designated as the ‘Seven Valleys. …’”

Bahá’u’lláh “wrote in answer to the questions of Shaykh Muḥyi’d-Dín, the Qáḍí of Khániqayn, in which He describes the seven stages which the soul of the seeker must needs traverse ere it can attain the object of its existence,” Shoghi Effendi noted.

“Shaykh Muhyi’d-Dín was the Qáḍí (judge) of Khániqayn,” Grok clarified. “He was a learned Sufi of the Qádiríyyih Order. He was the son of Shaykh Hasan of Gilzarda. He was an admirer of Bahá’u’lláh. He posed questions on mystical topics. Later, he quit his position to wander Iraqi Kurdistan as a dervish.

“The Seven Valleys traces the seeker’s ascent through seven spiritual stages, each building upon the last to foster detachment and divine nearness. The Valley of Search initiates the journey, requiring patience and detachment from worldly veils. Bahá’u’lláh urges the traveler to ‘cleanse his heart … of the idle sayings of the mystic leaders,’ and seek truth independently. Shoghi Effendi highlighted this work’s mystical depth, noting how it elevates the soul toward its ultimate purpose.”

“The Valley of Love follows, where passion for the Divine consumes the seeker, transcending reason,” Grok noted. “Bahá'u'lláh quotes Faríd ud-Dín ‘Attár (d. 1220), a renowned 12th-13th century Persian Sufi poet and pharmacist from Nishapur, best known for his epic ‘The Conference of the Birds (Mantiq al-Tayr),’ which similarly traces a soul’s journey through valleys in allegorical form: ‘The steed of this Valley is pain; and if there be no pain this journey will never end.’ This stage involves enduring trials, as exemplified by Biblical and Qur’anic stories of love’s transformative power, such as the Prophet Jacob’s (Ya’qub in Islam, a patriarch known for his patience and devotion) longing for his son Joseph (Yusuf, a prophet symbolizing beauty and forgiveness amid suffering).”

Valley of Knowledge. AI Art by BWAA. CC BY-NC 4.0.

Insight begins to dawn on the seeker in the Valley of Knowledge.

“The seeker understands that ‘in every city he will behold a world, in every Valley reach a spring,’ perceiving God’s signs everywhere without attachment to grief or joy,” Grok stated. “The Valley of Unity dissolves illusions of separation, where ‘the wayfarer in this Valley seeth in the fashionings of the True One nothing save clear tokens of the Almighty.’ Here, all creation reflects the Divine essence.

“Wonderment fills the soul with awe at divine manifestations, leading to the final Valley of True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness,” Grok continued. “This pinnacle represents self-annihilation, where the seeker achieves ‘the dying from self and the living in God.’ Shoghi Effendi affirmed the treatise’s role in guiding the soul through these traversals to its divine goal.”

That basically reflects my individual general understanding; however, it is subject to change.

Moreover, it must be emphasized that every person who reads the Writings may perceive meanings differently.

My understanding represented here is as a layman exploring new technology to assist me in learning more about my Faith. If anything diverts from authoritative sources, please defer to those and notify me of my error(s). Thank you, kindly.

'Plant Naught But The Rose of Love'

AI Art © Glenn Franco Simmons. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

O FRIEND! In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love, and from the nightingale of affection and desire loosen not thy hold. ... ~ Bahá’u’lláh

Excerpt © Bahá’í International Community. Used in accordance with BIC terms.

Symbolic Vs. Literal Bible Meanings Explained

Photo adapted by Bahá’í Writings As Art.

by Glenn Franco Simmons

While listening attentively to my Lutheran pastor’s sermons in Goleta, Calif., my impressionable mind pictured wolves cuddling with lambs in green meadows, lions playing tag with calves, and leopards napping peacefully beside goats.

As I matured into a teen, I pondered if these were symbolic or literal meanings. I eventually found the answers to my questions in my current Faith. There are both.

So, what are some of the Biblical verses that may have sparked my young imagination?

• “The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze. Their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play near a cobra’s hole, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:6-9

• “In that day I will make a covenant for them with the animals of the field, and with the birds of the sky, and with the creeping things of the ground. I will break the bow, the sword, and the battle out of the land, and will make them lie down safely.” ~ Hosea 2:18

• “‘I will make with them a covenant of peace and will cause evil animals to cease out of the land. They will dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.” ~ Ezekiel 34:25

• “‘I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one will make you afraid. I will remove evil animals out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. ~ Leviticus 26:6

I also found the pastor’s visions of a peaceful future comforting. Sitting there in the pews, alone as a third-grader, I wonder now if it was Micah and Isaiah that I heard the pastor mention:

• “And he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more. But every man will sit under his vine and under his fig tree. No one will make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of Armies has spoken.” ~ Micah 4:3-4

• “He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” ~ Isaiah 2:4

These verses’ peaceful themes are carried forward in the Bahá’í Faith.

• “The Tabernacle of unity,” Baha’u’llah states in The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, “... has been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. … Of one tree are all ye the fruit and of one bough the leaves. … The world is but one country and mankind its citizens. … Let not a man glory in that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind.”

In my reflection, I see the imagery of wolves and lambs lying together as a powerful symbol of harmony and reconciliation. Yet, this symbolism carries a profound literal promise: a future where peace prevails on Earth. This vision aligns with the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, which emphasize the unity of humankind and the establishment of a world where all people live in harmony, free from conflict and division.

(Bible verses are from the public-domain World English Bible®. Photo courtesy of Public Domain Clip Art Photos and Images. Excerpt from the Bahá’í Writings used according to Bahá’í International Community terms.)