Mormons, like
everyone else, the Faith, when you find them receptive. They have many
great principles and their teachings regarding charity, not drinking or
smoking, etc., are quite similar to ours and should form a point of common
interest."

134: MUNIRIH _KH_ANUM

"With regard to Munirih _Kh_anum's account of her life, concerning which
certain questions have been raised by one of the believers; what has been
written by Munirih _Kh_anum herself in that account, and also the
references to the subject made by Nabil in his Narrative should be taken
as the accurate standard and not what has been reported in Dr. Esslemont's
book."

135: MUSIC

"Music, as one of the arts, is a natural cultural development, and the
Guardian does not feel that there should be any cultivation of 'Baha'i
Music' any more than we are trying to develop a Baha'i school of painting
or writing. The believers are free to paint, write or compose as their
talents guide them. If music is written incorporating the Sacred Writings,
the friends are free to make use of it, but it should never be considered
a requirement at Baha'i meetings to have such music. The farther away the
friends keep from any set forms, the better, for they must realize that
the Cause is absolutely universal, and what might seem a beautiful
addition to their mode of celebrating a Feast, etc., would perhaps fall on
the ears of people of another country as unpleasant sounds--and vice
versa. As long as they have music for its own sake it is all right, but
they should not consider it 'Baha'i Music'."

136: NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES (AUTHORITY OF)

"I wish to reaffirm in clear and categorical language, the principle
already enunciated upholding the supreme authority of the National
Assembly in all matters that affect the interests of the Faith in that
land. There can be no conflict of authority, no duality under any form or
circumstances in any sphere of Baha'i jurisdiction whether local, national
or international. The National Assembly, however, although the sole
interpreter of its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, is directly and
morally responsible if it allows any body or institution within its
jurisdiction to abuse its privileges or to decline in the exercise of its
rights and privileges. It is the trusted guardian and the mainspring of
the manifold activities and interests of every national community in the
Baha'i world. It constitutes the sole link th