Dear Brent,
You quoted your friend: Ask yourself, 'Does it pass the smell
test?'
You are no doubt aware that Baha'u'llah, also, endorses the
smell test... References below.
Lovingly, Sandra
Glorified art Thou, O Lord my God! Rain down, I beseech Thee,
from the clouds of Thine overflowing grace, that which shall
cleanse the hearts of Thy servants from whatever may prevent
their beholding Thy face, or may prevent them from turning
unto Thee, that they may all recognize Him Who is their
Fashioner and Creator. Help them, then, O God, to reach forth,
through the power of Thy sovereign might, towards such a
station that they can readily distinguish every foul smell
from the fragrance of the raiment of Him Who is the Bearer of
Thy most lofty and exalted name, that they may turn with all
their affections toward Thee, and may enjoy such intimate
communion with Thee that if all that is in heaven and on earth
were given them they would regard it as unworthy of their
notice, and would refuse to cease from remembering Thee and
from extolling Thy virtues. (Baha'u'llah, Prayers and
Meditations by Baha'u'llah, p. 159)
We verily behold your actions. If We perceive from them the
sweet smelling savor of purity and holiness, We will most
certainly bless you. (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the
Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 307)
We intend only to impart unto you the truth, that ye might be
informed thereof and be of them that lead a godly life. Beware
lest ye give ear to the words of those from whom the foul
smell of malice and envy can be discerned; pay no heed to
them, and stand ye for righteousness. (Baha'u'llah, The
Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 200)
How vast the number of the loved and chosen ones of God who
have lamented and moaned by day and by night that haply a
sweet and fragrant breeze might blow from the court of His
good-pleasure and dispel altogether the loathsome and
foul-smelling odours from the world. However, this ultimate
goal could not be attained, and men were deprived thereof by
virtue of their evil deeds, which brought upon them the
retribution of God, in accordance with the basic principles of
His divine rule. Ours is the duty to remain patient in these
circumstances until relief be forthcoming from God, the
Forgiving, the Bountiful. (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of
Baha'u'llah, p. 177)
If Thou smellest from any one the smell of the love of Thy
Lord, offer up Thyself for him, for We have created Thee to
this end, and have covenanted with Thee, from time immemorial,
and in the presence of the congregation of Our well-favored
ones, for this very purpose. (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from
the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 283)
Say: From My laws the sweet smelling savor of My garment can
be smelled, and by their aid the standards of victory will be
planted upon the highest peaks. The Tongue of My power hath,
from the heaven of My omnipotent glory, addressed to My
creation these words: Observe My commandments, for the love
of My beauty. Happy is the lover that hath inhaled the divine
fragrance of his Best-Beloved from these words, laden with the
perfume of a grace which no tongue can describe.
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p.
332)
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