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I was looking through the letter from the research department on the Lesser
Peace and found something interesting. They say that the unity of nations
should not be regarded as being synonymous with the Lesser Peace, yet from a
House letter from the 80's it appears that they used to be of the understanding
that the two were synonymous:
However, attainment of the unity of nations should not be regarded as being
synonymous with the establishment of the Lesser Peace. In answer to a question
about the timing of the Lesser Peace, Shoghi Effendi stated, in a letter
written on his behalf in 1946, that: "All we know is that the Lesser Peace and
the Most Great Peace will come -- their exact dates we do not know."
Nevertheless, the unity of nations can quite properly be regarded as one
stage -- and indeed a highly significant step -- in the lengthy process of the
establishment of the Lesser Peace. In response to a question from an
individual, the House of Justice stated, in a letter written on its behalf on
31 January 1985, that:
"Baha'u'llah's principal mission in appearing at this time in human
history is the realization of the oneness of mankind and the establishment of
peace among the nations; therefore, all the forces which are focused on
accomplishing these ends are influenced by His Revelation. We know, however,
that peace will come in stages. First, there will come the Lesser Peace, when
the unity of nations will be achieved..."
The wording of the last sentence, unless I'm seriously mistaken, surely
indicates that they used to think the two would happen at the same time?
Regards,David
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