Baha'i Writings / **Baha'u'llah** # **Excerpts from the Lawh-i Bisharat (Tablet of Glad-Tidings)** #### **Baha'u'llah** ##### 1891 *** *The Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book) was revealed in 1873 and first published in Arabic in 1891, at the direction of Baha'u'llah, in Bombay, India.* *About the same time Baha'u'llah revealed the Tablet of Glad-Tidings (Lawh-i Bisharat), in which He supplemented, summarized, and clarified the Aqdas and Baha'i teachings in response to widespread misrepresentation and disinformation about the Faith.* *These excerpts are specific to the House of Justice.* *In Glad-Tiding Fifteen, Baha'u'llah describes as sagacious — that is, discerning, wise, and knowledgeable — those who combine “a republican form of government” with “the majesty of kingship,” declaring that “great will be their reward in the presence of God.”* *This form of government also perfectly describes the Universal House of Justice. By design, the Guardian — “the sacred head and the distinguished member for the life of that body” — sits upon the Throne of David, while the legislative body serves to “reinforce the executive ... so that through the close union and harmony of these two forces, the foundation of fairness and justice may become firm and strong.” (Quotations from 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will and Testament, pt. 1.)* *** #### 13. The men of God's House of Justice have been charged with the affairs of the people. They, in truth, are the Trustees of God among His servants and the daysprings of authority in His countries. O people of God! That which traineth the world is Justice, for it is upheld by two pillars, reward and punishment. These two pillars are the sources of life to the world. Inasmuch as for each day there is a new problem and for every problem an expedient solution, such affairs should be referred to the Ministers of the House of Justice that they may act according to the needs and requirements of the time. They that, for the sake of God, arise to serve His Cause, are the recipients of divine inspiration from the unseen Kingdom. It is incumbent upon all to be obedient unto them. All matters of State should be referred to the House of Justice, but acts of worship must be observed according to that which God hath revealed in His Book. … #### 15. Although a republican form of government profiteth all the peoples of the world, yet the majesty of kingship is one of the signs of God. We do not wish that the countries of the world should remain deprived thereof. If the sagacious combine the two forms into one, great will be their reward in the presence of God. (Baha'u'llah, [*Lawh-i Bisharat*](https://bahai.works/Tablets_of_Bah%C3%A1%E2%80%99u%E2%80%99ll%C3%A1h/Glad-Tidings) \[Tablet of Glad-Tidings], in *Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas*, p. 21–29.) *** **See Also** **[[Tablet of the World]]** — Baha'u'llah comments concerning "kingship and of the consultation of the people." **[[Tablet to The Times of London]]** — Following the martyrdom of seven believers in Yazd, Persia in 1891, Baha'u'llah condemns the actions of the government and asks The Times of London to "investigate the truth." *** [Site Guide](site%20guide.md)  |   [Sitemap](sitemap.md)  |   [Downloads](downloads.md)  |  [Contact Us](contact%20us.md) **Dr. Leland Jensen**: Teachings and Commentaries Archive © 2026 Baha'i Council of Dane County, all rights reserved.  [Copyright & Usage Policy](copyright.md) ***