Regarding the passage on p. 163 of the 'Gleanings': The creatures which Bahรก'u'llรกh states to be found on every planet cannot be considered to be necessarily similar or different from human beings on this earth. Bahรก'u'llรกh does not specifically state whether such creatures are like or unlike us. He simply refers to the fact that there are creatures on every planet. It remains for science to discover one day the exact nature of these creatures.
Shoghi EffendiWe cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions.
Shoghi EffendiFor what pleasure can compare the pleasure of bringing joy and hope to other hearts. The more we make others happy the greater will be our own happiness and the deeper our sense of having served humanity.
Shoghi EffendiBahรก'u'llรกh is not the Intermediary between other Manifestations and God. Each has His own relation to the Primal Source. But in the sense that Bahรก'u'llรกh is the greatest Manifestation to yet appear, the One Who consummates the Revelation of Moses; He was the One Moses conversed with in the Burning Bush. In other words Bahรก'u'llรกh identifies the glory of the Godhead on that occasion with Himself. No distinction can be made amongst the Prophets in the sense that They all proceed from One Source, and are of One Essence. But Their stations and functions in this world are different.
Shoghi EffendiOur past is not the thing that matters so much in this world as what we intend to do with the future.
Shoghi EffendiIt is not sufficient to pray diligently for guidance, but this prayer must be followed by meditation as to the best methods of action and then action itself... because prayers can only be answered through action and if someone's action is wrong, God can use that method of showing the pathway which is right.
Shoghi Effendi