"So, how does a person become a Baha'i?"

We continue to receive joyful news from Scottsdale, AZ (A). This report and enclosed story shared by the area teaching committee for that cluster clearly show the effectiveness of establishing core activities and building strong bonds with the community of interest. It is also an example of how, when we simply state, “This is who we are, this is what we do, this is what we believe and WHY we do what we do.”, it is natural for others to wish to join the Cause.

Dear Friends,

Allah u Abha!

Many believers in the cluster are meeting with their contacts to share Anna’s presentation or to hold a devotional gathering. Some friends are also holding firesides and the four core activities. Together we are learning.

Please enjoy the story of this recent declaration . . .

Two believers went to visit the parents of two of the children that participate in the Bahá’í children classes to let them know more about them and how their children were doing in the classes. The parents were very grateful for all the services that the Bahá’ís are offering to the neighborhood where they just recently have moved. Their father said: "The children always come home and teach me the quotations and prayers that they learn in classes." Their mother added, "They love the class so much that they like to go two times a week."

The father left to go to work and the teaching team stayed to consult further with the mother. As the conversation continued one of the teachers asked her if she wanted to know more about the Bahá’í Faith and what motivates the teachers of the children’s classes. The mother accepted. The teachers proceeded to offer the same presentation that Anna gave to Emilia in Ruhi Book 6, engaging her in a consultation about the basic concepts of the Faith. After they discussed the laws that are introduced in the presentation, the mother asked the teacher, "So, how does a person become a Bahá’í?" The friends were not at all surprised by this question, based on her receptivity in previous conversations. So the teacher explained that the first step is to recognize that Bahá’u’lláh as the Manifestation of God for this day, and second is to join the Bahá’í community to help build unity in the world. The mother quickly and joyfully accepted and signed her declaration card and registered her children. Next week she will start studying Ruhi Book 1.

Much love,

Your area teaching committee