Dear Bahá'í Friend,

The Universal House of Justice has received your letter of March 21, 1978 in which you express concern that you do not yet feel in your heart the degree of love for God and for Bahá'u'lláh that you wish to have and which you witness in others, and is touched by the depth of your longing and effort. We have been requested to convey the following.

One source of true joy and happiness which you would do well to concentrate upon is that you have been able to recognize and accept God's supreme Manifestation in the Day of His appearance. There is no greater bounty than this and the souls of all Bahá'ís should be filled with gratitude for this supreme gift.

The House of Justice encourages you to continue your reading of the Words of Bahá'u'lláh and the Master and adds that spiritual growth has been likened to organic growth. Everything living must change. Growth and change can be imperceptible or dramatic and rapid. It is stated in a letter dated 6 October 1954 written on behalf of the beloved Guardian to an individual believer:

When a person becomes a Bahá'í, actually what takes place is that the seed of the spirit starts to grow in the human soul. This seed must be watered by the outpourings of the Holy Spirit.

These gifts of the spirit are received through prayer, meditation, study of the Holy Utterances and service to the Cause of God.

We have been directed to assure you of the prayers of the House of Justice for your spiritual advancement and that you may be so strengthened in your faith that you will be enabled to devotedly serve the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh.

With loving Bahá'í greetings,
THE DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARIAT