History

One can only wonder at the awe experienced by those who attained the presence and were blessed to spend time in the company of the Holy Family of the Bahá’í Faith. Among the sweetest and most approachable accounts left by those who made pilgrimages to the Holy Land are those of children and youth, who in the earliest days of their lives came face to face with these illumed beings.

In A Child in the Holy Land, Gisu Mohadjer collects stories of encounters with the members of the Holy Family. These stories are tinged with tenderness, kindness, love, and laughter, and they offer us a small window into the extraordinary life of the holy household as seen through the eyes of children. It is hoped that families and readers of all ages will treasure this collection and revisit it often for inspiration and solace and to deepen their love for the Holy Family.

This study of Bahá’u’lláh’s Súrih of the Temple is intended to provide the reader with tools to gain insight into the complex symbols and structure that underlie any attempt at interpreting the meaning and purpose of this critical work. To this end, Hatcher unravels the major symbols employed by Bahá’u’lláh, and explains the challenging framework whereby complex matter has been framed by Him into a dialogue between Himself, as He lies imprisoned in the Siyáh-Chál, and the Holy Spirit, personified as the Maid of Heaven.

A biogrpahy of Agnes Alexander, the only Hand of the Cause of God to be mentioned in the Tablets of the Divine Plan. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote of her: "I declare by the Lord of Hosts that had this respected daughter founded an empire, that empire would not have been so great," and described her as "the daughter of the Kingdom, the beloved maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection." During her 70 years of service to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, Agnes Alexander opened Hawaii, Japan, and Korea to the Bahá’í Faith, travelled with Martha Root in China and served across the Pacific Ocean. This book is based on Agnes Alexander’s own accounts of the establishment of the Bahá’í Faith in Hawaii and Japan, but more especially on the 40 years of research by Duane Troxel into her life. This is the story of an exceptional life.

The story of a well-connected, wealthy woman from the West whose devotion to a spiritual leader from the East transformed her life into one of selfless service to humanity. This biography traces the journey of Laura Barney from her pampered childhood to her life as a feminist, global-thinker and peace-builder who was twice decorated by the French Legion of Honor.

Having an inquisitive mind searching for spiritual awakenings, as a young woman Laura learned about the teachings of an eastern spiritual leader and traveled to ‘Akká to meet Him, attracted to the teachings of oneness of humankind, gender equality and world peace. She put questions to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh. The result was the publication of a unique book, Some Answered Questions, which is considered part of the sacred texts.

Her travels to Palestine, Egypt, and Iran and to Japan, Indochina and India as well as her travels across North America provided her with insights into the reality and challenges experienced by others. She served on different committees with the League of Nations, the United Nations, and the International Council of Women for 50 years. She was a pioneer in many areas, championing the rights of women, advocating for world peace, providing tools for the education of young people, and supporting humanitarian activities around the world.

Shoghi Effendi's definitive survey of the "outstanding events" of the Baha'i Revelation's first century (1844-1944). A matrix for future scholars of the Baha'i Faith and the only book that Shoghi Effendi penned, God Passes By, "stands unique in the annals of religion" as a religious history written soon after the passing of its Prophet by the head of its community "with access to all documents and materials and complete understanding of its nature and purpose."

Read A User’s Guide to God Passes By written by Michael Day on Baha’i Blog

Warrior Grandma: The Story of Patricia Locke by Littlebrave Beaston is the latest title in the Change Maker series. Patricia Locke—whose Lakota name, Thawáchin Wašté Win, means “Compassionate Woman”—courageously fought for the equality of Indigenous people in the United States and around the world. She was not only a staunch advocate for the rights of Indigenous people but a loving mother and grandmother.

This book teaches the values of generosity, selflessness, and the importance of building strong family relationships. Readers will learn about how prejudice affects American Indians and how Patricia advocated for equal rights for Indigenous people during her lifetime. The book also discusses the qualities of leadership, the principle of consultation, and the importance of courage and perseverance in the face of oppression and attempted assimilation. Patricia acted as a bridge between two cultures—white and Indigenous—and, even in the face of overwhelming difficulties, she always demonstrated compassion toward others. She embodied the qualities of a true Change Maker.

See other books in the Change Maker Series