![[leland_jensen_portrait.jpg]] ‎ >[!success] November 1957 – June 1960 ># **Shunned History: Read the Eyewitness Accounts** > >#### *Charles Mason Remey Chronicles the Historic Conclaves of the Hands* > >Charles Mason Remey witnessed his fellow Hands put an end to the question of guardianship with little discussion or investigation. Following that decision, they positioned themselves as leaders of the Faith and halted all further discussion of the matter. > >Remey began keeping a daily journal immediately after Shoghi Effendi's passing in November 1957, producing several historical accounts — unpublished, typewritten manuscripts that were repeatedly photocopied. These writings have long been ignored and dismissed, despite being a rare, firsthand account of a critical chapter in Baha'i history. >#### **Word Leaks Out** >Among the events Remey documented was a critical moment when word of the Hands' position began to leak beyond their control. In the first Conclave, the Persian Hands declared *bada'* — that the guardianship had ended, that God had "changed His mind." When this news reached the Hands in the United States, they attempted to publish a letter to believers entitled *A New Baha'i Era*, later known as [[1958 The Chicago Manifesto|The Chicago Manifesto]]. > >The Hands halted circulation of that letter, but not before it was copied and shared widely. Lacking the solemn tone and rhetorical framing of their official proclamation — *"…that no successor to Shoghi Effendi could have been appointed by him was to plunge … into the very abyss of despair"* — the Manifesto too starkly revealed the theological implications of their position. Believers did not easily give up their belief in the guardianship. The Hands responded by declaring such views Covenant-breaking, invoking both shunning and the principle of unity to enforce conformity with their narrative. > >Years later, Ruhiyyih Khanum wrote in semi-confessional reflection — **"How to assume the reins of authority, with no document to support us, other than the general theological statements about the Hands?"** (*Ministry of the Custodians*, p. 9.) > >Three excerpts from Remey's writings recount these events: > — [[1958-12-29 First Comment on The Chicago Manifesto|First Comment on the Chicago Manifesto]] > — [[1960-04 Second Comment on The Chicago Manifesto|Second Comment on the Chicago Manifesto]] > — [[1960-06-01 Hands Declare Bada'|Historical Account of the Hands Declaring Bada']] > > **Unfamiliar with *bada'*?** See our [[bada'|glossary entry]]. > *** > **Related resource:** We've posted a provisional [[Bibliography of Guardian Charles Mason Remey (1957–1974)|bibliography of Charles Mason Remey's works]] covering his period as Guardian and Guardian–President. > > ‎ ## **Investigation of Truth** #### A Forgotten Baha'i Principle > [!cite] 'Abdu'l-Baha >  ...[a] new principle revealed by Baha’u’llah is the **injunction** to investigate truth — that is to say, **no man should blindly follow his ancestors and forefathers**. Nay, each must see with his own eyes, hear with his own ears and investigate the truth himself in order that he may follow the truth instead of **blind acquiescence** and imitation of ancestral beliefs. >   >*The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Kinney, 780 West End Avenue, New York, 2 December 1912, Notes by Esther Foster*. Emphasis added. > [!cite] Dr. Leland Jensen >  … Baha’u'llah tells the searcher after truth to shut the door of friendliness and enmity upon all the people of the earth (_The Seven Valleys_, page 5). The reason for this is that if one has love for a person that person may direct the searcher away from the pathway of investigation. Also, **if one doesn’t listen to the proofs of his enemies, he may not be able to find the truth**, for it may be possessed only by his enemy. Thus, we must be like the true scientist that examines all of the evidence impassionately, and cling to only that which is true. This is what I did, and this is what every person in the world must do if he is to reach salvation. >   >*Letter to Joseph Pepe Remey, November 1975*. Emphasis added. > [!cite] Baha'u'llah >  It is incumbent upon these servants to cleanse the heart, which is the wellspring of divine treasures, of every marking; turn away from imitation, which is following the traces of their forefathers; and **shut the door of friendship and enmity upon all the people of the earth**. >   >*The Seven Valleys*, page 5. Emphasis added. ‎ #### Baha'u'llah's Warning and Guidance to Believers > [!cite] Baha'u'llah >  Meditate profoundly, that the secret of things unseen may be revealed unto you, that you may inhale the sweetness of a spiritual and imperishable fragrance, and that you may acknowledge the truth that from time immemorial even unto eternity **the Almighty hath tried, and will continue to try, His servants, so that light may be distinguished from darkness, truth from falsehood**, right from wrong, guidance from error, happiness from misery, and roses from thorns. Even as He hath revealed: “Do men think when they say ‘We believe’ they shall be let alone and not be put to proof?" >   > *Kitab-i-Iqan*, \[The Book of Certitude], pt. 1, para. 8. Emphasis added. >[!cite] Muhammad >**Do men think that** >**They will be left alone** >**On saying, 'We believe'** >**And that they will not** >**Be tested?** > >*Qur’an* 29:2, trans. Abdullah Yusuf Ali, _The Holy Qur’an: Text, Translation and Commentary_, 1989. Emphasis added. ‎ #### Passing The Test This archive is dedicated to investigation of truth and the advancement of learning. Here you'll find the teachings and commentaries of Dr. Leland Jensen, the history of his mission, the work of his students, and materials from the second International Baha'i Council — resources for teaching the Baha'i Faith and guiding humanity. > [!cite] 'Abdu'l-Baha > In these days, the most important of all things is the **guidance of the nations and peoples of the world**. Teaching the Cause is of utmost importance for it is the head cornerstone of the foundation itself. > > *Will and Testament*, [[Part One]], pt. 1, para. 14. Emphasis added. ‎‎ > [!info] Archive in Progress > **Building the Historical Record of the Baha'i Faith and Guardianship** > > We're actively adding documents to this archive. Bookmark this site and check back often for new materials. > > **You can help:** > - [[Contact Us]] with feedback, questions, or suggestions > - Check our [[Wanted Documents|wanted list]] — we're seeking documents mentioned in Dr. Jensen's letters, especially enclosures that were separated when letters were copied > ‎ *** **Cite this page:** https://leland-jensen.info/ *Dr. Leland Jensen: Baha'i Teachings and Commentaries Archive* ***