A Common Endeavor: Building America’s Future
Baha'is of the United States
[{'start': '26.080', 'end': '32.080', 'text': '\ufeffO Thou Who art the Lord of Lords!\xa0\nI testify that Thou art the Lord of'}, {'start': '32.080', 'end': '39.280', 'text': 'all creation, and the Educator of\xa0\nall beings, visible and invisible.'}, {'start': '40.880', 'end': '49.600', 'text': 'I bear witness that Thy power hath encompassed the\xa0\nentire universe, and that the hosts of the earth'}, {'start': '49.600', 'end': '59.600', 'text': 'can never dismay Thee, nor can the dominion of all\xa0\npeoples and nations deter Thee from executing Thy'}, {'start': '59.600', 'end': '70.240', 'text': 'purpose. I confess that Thou hast no desire except\xa0\nthe regeneration of the whole world, and the'}, {'start': '70.240', 'end': '85.040', 'text': 'establishment of the unity of its peoples, and the\xa0\nsalvation of all them that dwell therein.'}, {'start': '85.040', 'end': '101.600', 'text': 'O FRIEND! In the garden of thy heart plant\xa0\nnaught but the rose of love.'}, {'start': '101.808', 'end': '115.136', 'text': 'O FRIEND! In the garden of thy heart plant\xa0\nnaught but the rose of love.'}, {'start': '118.259', 'end': '121.614', 'text': 'In the garden of thy heart'}, {'start': '122.280', 'end': '125.534', 'text': 'In the garden of thy heart'}, {'start': '126.034', 'end': '134.322', 'text': 'In the garden of thy heart plant\xa0\nnaught but the rose of love.'}, {'start': '136.904', 'end': '150.440', 'text': 'O FRIEND! In the garden of thy heart plant\xa0\nnaught but the rose of love.'}, {'start': '153.413', 'end': '167.421', 'text': 'O FRIEND! In the garden of thy heart plant\xa0\nnaught but the rose of love.'}, {'start': '170.251', 'end': '173.081', 'text': 'In the garden of thy heart'}, {'start': '174.120', 'end': '177.741', 'text': 'In the garden of thy heart'}, {'start': '178.867', 'end': '186.449', 'text': 'In the garden of thy heart\nplant\xa0naught but the rose of love.'}, {'start': '189.489', 'end': '205.784', 'text': 'Ooooo.....'}, {'start': '213.280', 'end': '220.720', 'text': 'Good afternoon, dear friends. We welcome\xa0\nour viewers to this special presentation,'}, {'start': '220.720', 'end': '229.120', 'text': 'and we offer loving greetings from your National\xa0\nSpiritual Assembly. We are assembled at this'}, {'start': '229.120', 'end': '237.600', 'text': 'year’s Bahá’í National Convention in Wilmette,\xa0\nIllinois with delegates from across the country.'}, {'start': '237.600', 'end': '247.920', 'text': 'We have come together in prayer and in a spirit\xa0\nof unity, for two purposes. The first is the'}, {'start': '247.920', 'end': '253.840', 'text': 'election of the nine people who will serve as the\xa0\nmembers of the National Spiritual Assembly for'}, {'start': '253.840', 'end': '261.520', 'text': 'the coming year. The delegates have already cast\xa0\ntheir ballots, and the results will be announced'}, {'start': '261.520', 'end': '269.600', 'text': 'later today. The Convention is taking place in\xa0\nthe Bahá’í House of Worship for North America,'}, {'start': '269.600', 'end': '276.960', 'text': 'a building dedicated to the worship of God, the\xa0\noneness of all the peoples of the world, and'}, {'start': '276.960', 'end': '286.960', 'text': 'service to humanity. As with all Bahá’í elections,\xa0\nthis one too has been free of partisanship,'}, {'start': '286.960', 'end': '294.400', 'text': 'and each delegate has been free to vote\xa0\naccording to his or her own private conscience.'}, {'start': '295.200', 'end': '302.400', 'text': 'There have been no nominations, no canvassing\xa0\nand campaigning, and no electioneering on'}, {'start': '302.400', 'end': '311.600', 'text': 'anyone’s part. Those elected will exercise\xa0\nno personal authority nor enjoy any special'}, {'start': '311.600', 'end': '320.720', 'text': 'rank or consideration as individuals. Theirs\xa0\nwill be the duty to carefully deliberate on'}, {'start': '320.720', 'end': '328.720', 'text': 'the requirements of the times and to do whatever\xa0\nthey can to assist the Bahá’í community members,'}, {'start': '328.720', 'end': '334.640', 'text': 'together with their many friends, to\xa0\nwork for the betterment of society.'}, {'start': '335.520', 'end': '340.880', 'text': 'The second purpose of the Convention is to\xa0\nallow the delegates to share their thoughts and'}, {'start': '340.880', 'end': '350.400', 'text': 'concerns, to make suggestions to the Assembly, and\xa0\nto consult together about how to build communities'}, {'start': '350.400', 'end': '359.440', 'text': 'that embody the values of the Bahá’í Faith. In\xa0\nthese discussions certain issues stand out:'}, {'start': '360.240', 'end': '368.080', 'text': 'This gathering is taking place at a time of\xa0\nincreasing turbulence in American society.'}, {'start': '368.080', 'end': '376.400', 'text': 'Americans everywhere wonder how to build a\xa0\nnation that is truly just, free and peaceful.'}, {'start': '376.400', 'end': '384.400', 'text': 'In spite of all that brings us together as\xa0\na people, a lot continues to divide us.'}, {'start': '384.400', 'end': '388.720', 'text': 'The members of the Bahá’í Faith are\xa0\ncertainly dismayed by these divisions,'}, {'start': '389.600', 'end': '397.680', 'text': 'but we also view the current difficulties, here\xa0\nand around the world, with the eye of hope. We see'}, {'start': '397.680', 'end': '407.920', 'text': 'them as symptoms of a great historical transition\xa0\ninto a new era in humanity’s collective history.'}, {'start': '408.720', 'end': '415.120', 'text': 'These times are the culmination of thousands\xa0\nof years of social progress that have taken'}, {'start': '415.120', 'end': '423.520', 'text': 'us from the stages of infancy, childhood and\xa0\nadolescence into the modern era. We are now'}, {'start': '423.520', 'end': '430.880', 'text': 'moving through this period of adolescence, with\xa0\nall the struggle and upheaval that this implies,'}, {'start': '430.880', 'end': '439.920', 'text': 'and together we need to learn to achieve our\xa0\ncollective maturity as a human species, a'}, {'start': '439.920', 'end': '450.400', 'text': 'maturity that is unprecedented in our experience.\xa0\nWhatever turmoil may lie in our immediate future,'}, {'start': '450.400', 'end': '460.160', 'text': 'we feel confident that humanity will not only\xa0\nendure – humanity will prevail. But this will'}, {'start': '460.160', 'end': '469.040', 'text': 'depend upon our ability to cast away outdated\xa0\nhabits of thought and action and to learn new ways'}, {'start': '469.040', 'end': '478.720', 'text': 'of being and doing that will allow us to create\xa0\na society characterized by spiritual and material'}, {'start': '478.720', 'end': '488.160', 'text': 'prosperity for all. This will be a process to\xa0\nwhich all members of society can contribute.'}, {'start': '489.200', 'end': '495.200', 'text': 'We are all learning together\xa0\nand we should recognize that,'}, {'start': '495.200', 'end': '503.706', 'text': 'while everyone has perspectives to share,\xa0\nnobody holds a monopoly on truth.'}, {'start': '657.402', 'end': '667.200', 'text': 'America was the first nation in history founded\xa0\nupon an idea – that all men are created equal.'}, {'start': '667.200', 'end': '672.720', 'text': 'That they are endowed by their Creator with\xa0\ncertain inalienable rights. That among these'}, {'start': '672.720', 'end': '678.720', 'text': 'rights are life, liberty and the pursuit\xa0\nof happiness. Perhaps those who signed the'}, {'start': '678.720', 'end': '685.040', 'text': 'Declaration of Independence could not fully grasp\xa0\nto what extent these words would ring down through'}, {'start': '685.040', 'end': '692.960', 'text': 'the centuries and embody what came to be known as\xa0\n“The American Dream.” As revolutionary as these'}, {'start': '692.960', 'end': '699.040', 'text': 'sentiments were at the time, few of them would\xa0\nhave seriously thought that these words would'}, {'start': '699.040', 'end': '706.000', 'text': 'apply to those who in that period of history\xa0\nwere not considered as full human beings.'}, {'start': '706.800', 'end': '713.760', 'text': 'If this is the idea of America, then the\xa0\nstory of America is of our struggle to'}, {'start': '713.760', 'end': '720.960', 'text': 'live up to this noble goal – to embrace it and\xa0\napply it to everyone in our society. The words'}, {'start': '720.960', 'end': '726.960', 'text': 'of the Declaration have continued to prod\xa0\nour collective conscience. Over the course'}, {'start': '726.960', 'end': '734.640', 'text': 'of two and a half centuries we have seen both\xa0\nremarkable steps forward and terrible setbacks,'}, {'start': '734.640', 'end': '740.480', 'text': 'moments of great advances and times of\xa0\ncatastrophe. We have seen the best and'}, {'start': '740.480', 'end': '747.360', 'text': 'the worst of which human beings are capable. The\xa0\nbest included the courage and tireless labor of'}, {'start': '747.360', 'end': '754.160', 'text': 'countless souls moved to champion the cause of\xa0\njustice; the untold acts of devotion and love'}, {'start': '754.160', 'end': '761.680', 'text': 'that sustain the vital bonds of community, family,\xa0\nand friendship; unwavering resilience and strength'}, {'start': '761.680', 'end': '767.440', 'text': 'forged against some of the most grievous\xa0\noppressions in human history; and acts of'}, {'start': '767.440', 'end': '776.560', 'text': 'heroic sacrifice impelled by a sincere love of\xa0\ncountry and its highest ideals. Americans have'}, {'start': '776.560', 'end': '785.360', 'text': 'also seen breathtaking feats of innovation, not\xa0\nthe least of which is the American nation itself;'}, {'start': '785.360', 'end': '792.000', 'text': 'expressions of remarkable creativity in response\xa0\nto crisis and suffering; the fundamental goodness'}, {'start': '792.000', 'end': '798.560', 'text': 'and decency that characterize the lives of\xa0\nAmerica’s people, and an ever-hopeful conviction'}, {'start': '798.560', 'end': '806.480', 'text': 'in the possibility of a perfectible Union.\nWe are still a long way from fulfilling the'}, {'start': '806.480', 'end': '815.040', 'text': 'dream. Yet the perspective of time shows that\xa0\nthere is reason for faith in the potential of'}, {'start': '815.040', 'end': '821.200', 'text': 'this nation to overcome any obstacles.\nIt is remarkable that Baha’u’llah, Founder of'}, {'start': '821.200', 'end': '827.840', 'text': 'the Bahá’í Faith, singled out the United States\xa0\nfor the special destiny to lead the nations of'}, {'start': '827.840', 'end': '834.480', 'text': 'the world in the establishment of world peace,\xa0\nbecause of both material strength and spiritual'}, {'start': '834.480', 'end': '839.440', 'text': 'leadership. Bahá’í Scriptures praise the\xa0\nideals and its material achievements of'}, {'start': '839.440', 'end': '846.000', 'text': 'the American system of governance, but they are\xa0\nclear-eyed and uncompromising about the spiritual'}, {'start': '846.000', 'end': '852.080', 'text': 'ills that have for so long plagued us.\xa0\nThese include excessive materialism,'}, {'start': '852.080', 'end': '859.120', 'text': 'moral laxity and deeply engrained racial\xa0\nprejudice. America’s potential to demonstrate'}, {'start': '859.120', 'end': '866.320', 'text': 'the possibility of all people living together in\xa0\npeace and harmony will only be realized to the'}, {'start': '866.320', 'end': '873.760', 'text': 'extent that our spiritual progress goes hand\xa0\nin hand with our material advancement.'}, {'start': '873.760', 'end': '880.880', 'text': 'This year marks the 100th anniversary of the\xa0\nestablishment of this national governing body,'}, {'start': '880.880', 'end': '888.080', 'text': 'the National Spiritual Assembly. During the course\xa0\nof many generations we have seen at first hand the'}, {'start': '888.080', 'end': '893.440', 'text': 'challenges of building inclusive and loving\xa0\ncommunities. We have shared in this work with'}, {'start': '893.440', 'end': '900.160', 'text': 'countless other people who cherish the same goals.\xa0\nWe are aware of the difficulties in overcoming'}, {'start': '900.160', 'end': '907.680', 'text': 'certain habits of thought and behavior, and we\xa0\nrealize that the road ahead will be long, thorny'}, {'start': '907.680', 'end': '914.800', 'text': 'and tortuous. But we have also seen real progress\xa0\nin learning how to apply fundamental principles'}, {'start': '914.800', 'end': '921.840', 'text': 'to the life of society, in communities everywhere\xa0\nin the country. This realization should prevent'}, {'start': '921.840', 'end': '930.880', 'text': 'us from backing down; rather, it encourages us to\xa0\ngo at this work with full energy and faith.'}, {'start': '930.880', 'end': '936.960', 'text': 'We Americans should not think of ourselves\xa0\nas apart from other peoples and nations.'}, {'start': '936.960', 'end': '942.480', 'text': 'The tribulations now encompassing much of the\xa0\nworld are the symptoms of humanity’s failure'}, {'start': '942.480', 'end': '949.840', 'text': 'to understand and embrace the concept “all my\xa0\nrelations.” The interrelated threats of climate'}, {'start': '949.840', 'end': '957.120', 'text': 'change, gender discrimination, extreme wealth\xa0\nand poverty, unfair distribution of resources,'}, {'start': '957.120', 'end': '964.800', 'text': 'and the like, all stem from this deficiency and\xa0\ncan never be resolved if we do not awaken to the'}, {'start': '964.800', 'end': '971.120', 'text': 'spiritual dimension of these challenges\xa0\nand our dependence upon each other.'}, {'start': '972.000', 'end': '978.400', 'text': 'The world has contracted to a neighborhood, and\xa0\nit is important to appreciate that what we do'}, {'start': '978.400', 'end': '986.960', 'text': 'in America impacts not only our own country,\xa0\nbut also the entire planet. We should also'}, {'start': '986.960', 'end': '994.160', 'text': 'never forget that the richness of our diversity,\xa0\nand our founding ideals of liberty and justice,'}, {'start': '994.160', 'end': '999.360', 'text': 'attract the eyes of the world to us. They\xa0\nwill be influenced by what we achieve,'}, {'start': '999.360', 'end': '1006.320', 'text': 'or fail to achieve, in this regard. It\xa0\nis not an exaggeration to say that the'}, {'start': '1006.320', 'end': '1012.724', 'text': 'cause of world peace is linked to the work we\xa0\nmust do right here in this country.'}, {'start': '1023.360', 'end': '1029.280', 'text': 'You see where we started a hundred years\xa0\nago. The object was just to understand'}, {'start': '1029.280', 'end': '1035.600', 'text': 'the principles and begin to fashion an\xa0\nadministrative organization that would'}, {'start': '1035.600', 'end': '1040.800', 'text': "reflect the spirit of the Baha'i faith itself.\xa0\nIn fact, the spirit of all religions."}, {'start': '1040.800', 'end': '1048.640', 'text': "The idea that the Baha'i Faith had an\xa0\norganization, went back to Baha'u'llah."}, {'start': '1048.640', 'end': '1058.080', 'text': 'He himself ordained an administrative order\xa0\nthat would have governing councils and a supreme'}, {'start': '1058.080', 'end': '1064.800', 'text': 'governing body, who He said He would always\xa0\nguide. This is the first time that we know in'}, {'start': '1064.800', 'end': '1071.600', 'text': 'religious history that a messenger of God\xa0\nhas ordained institutions, not individuals,'}, {'start': '1071.600', 'end': '1078.960', 'text': 'but institutions to continue\nTheir religion after Their passing.'}, {'start': '1078.960', 'end': '1084.800', 'text': "Just 18 years after the passing of Bahá'u'lláh,\xa0\nthe small community of North American Bahá'í"}, {'start': '1084.800', 'end': '1090.080', 'text': 'numbering, barely more than a thousand people,\xa0\nconvened a meeting to discuss the construction of'}, {'start': '1090.080', 'end': '1098.400', 'text': "the first Bahá'í Temple of the western world.\nSo, uh, this very special meeting that really"}, {'start': '1098.400', 'end': '1103.520', 'text': "was the seed of what would later become the\xa0\nNational Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís"}, {'start': '1103.520', 'end': '1109.120', 'text': 'of the United States and Canada was held on\xa0\nthe first day of spring, the beginning of the'}, {'start': '1109.120', 'end': '1116.880', 'text': "Baha'i New Year, March 21st, 1909.\nWith much of the holy writing still"}, {'start': '1116.880', 'end': '1122.240', 'text': "untranslated, naturally, the early Bahá'ís\xa0\nemployed the organizational processes and"}, {'start': '1122.240', 'end': '1127.600', 'text': 'standards they were already familiar with.\nSome of them had some misunderstandings'}, {'start': '1127.600', 'end': '1135.680', 'text': "themselves about basic Bahá'í teachings, one\xa0\nof the worst was that women could not serve on"}, {'start': '1135.680', 'end': '1143.520', 'text': "Bahá'í assemblies. That was totally wrong.\xa0\nAnd in contradiction to the Bahá'í principle"}, {'start': '1143.520', 'end': '1149.760', 'text': 'of the equality of men and women, and the\xa0\nvast majority of believers were women.'}, {'start': '1149.760', 'end': '1155.600', 'text': "One of those women was Corinne True, who\xa0\nvisited Bahá'u'lláh's son, ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá in"}, {'start': '1155.600', 'end': '1162.560', 'text': '1907. She was surprised when he asked her to\xa0\noversee the building of the Temple. Later,'}, {'start': '1162.560', 'end': '1168.320', 'text': "three men from the Baha'i Temple Unity Committee\xa0\nvisited ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá and asked about the Temple."}, {'start': '1168.320', 'end': '1174.240', 'text': 'His reply was, "I\'ve given all the\xa0\ninstructions to Mrs. True. You must'}, {'start': '1174.240', 'end': '1181.040', 'text': 'ask her." So they had to abolish the men\'s\xa0\ncommittee and the women\'s committee and'}, {'start': '1181.040', 'end': '1188.480', 'text': 'have one committee with both sexes.\nCorinne would see ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá five years'}, {'start': '1188.480', 'end': '1195.120', 'text': 'later in 1912 when he arrived in the United\xa0\nStates and spent 289 days spreading His'}, {'start': '1195.120', 'end': '1203.680', 'text': "father's teachings, and in Chicago, He laid\xa0\nthe cornerstone for the new House of Worship."}, {'start': '1203.680', 'end': '1212.880', 'text': 'Then in 1921, ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá\xa0\nfairly suddenly passed away.'}, {'start': '1212.880', 'end': '1218.960', 'text': "‘Abdu’l‑Bahá's passing was devastating for the\xa0\nworldwide Baha'i community and for his grandson,"}, {'start': '1218.960', 'end': '1225.360', 'text': "Shoghi Effendi, who was now tasked\xa0\nwith guiding the Bahá'í world."}, {'start': '1225.360', 'end': '1232.480', 'text': "Now in early 1922, the Bahá'í world finds it's\xa0\nnew leader is a, this young man who is still a"}, {'start': '1232.480', 'end': '1240.880', 'text': 'graduate student in age 24. The 1922 convention\xa0\nheld in Chicago with representatives from all'}, {'start': '1240.880', 'end': '1246.800', 'text': 'over the United States and Canada was trying\xa0\nto hold an election for the very first time for'}, {'start': '1246.800', 'end': '1251.120', 'text': 'what would be a National Spiritual Assembly.\nAnd they had no guidance even how to do the'}, {'start': '1251.120', 'end': '1257.120', 'text': 'voting. The Americans were quite accustomed to\xa0\nbeing members of civic organizations, church'}, {'start': '1257.120', 'end': '1263.680', 'text': 'councils and and so forth. Even a few people had\xa0\nbeen, uh, had their, their toe in politics.'}, {'start': '1263.680', 'end': '1269.920', 'text': 'You can imagine that in 1922, the practices\xa0\nof the National Spiritual Assembly are very'}, {'start': '1269.920', 'end': '1277.360', 'text': 'different than they are in 2025. It is all\xa0\ncollective authority that is freely invested'}, {'start': '1277.360', 'end': '1285.600', 'text': 'by the voters in a process that does not allow\xa0\nbackroom deals or campaigning or nominations or'}, {'start': '1285.600', 'end': '1293.040', 'text': 'any of the things that are typically associated\xa0\nwith political processes. And they are elected'}, {'start': '1293.040', 'end': '1303.520', 'text': 'in an environment of prayer and self abnegation.\nIn 1925, a group of Americans and Canadians'}, {'start': '1303.520', 'end': '1314.880', 'text': 'came together at a retreat center in Maine with\xa0\na very noble and unique purpose to establish,'}, {'start': '1314.880', 'end': '1324.800', 'text': 'after years of struggle, a governing body\xa0\nthat they knew would transform the world.'}, {'start': '1327.360', 'end': '1332.240', 'text': 'It is absolutely marvelous\xa0\nto look at the photographs,'}, {'start': '1332.240', 'end': '1340.800', 'text': "the group photographs of the 1925 convention.\xa0\nIt's predominantly women, but it is racially,"}, {'start': '1340.800', 'end': '1348.720', 'text': "socially, ethnically diverse. It's incredible\xa0\nbecause this was the opposite of what was"}, {'start': '1348.720', 'end': '1355.520', 'text': 'happening in the United States as a whole.\nIt was a time of intense racial conflict in the'}, {'start': '1355.520', 'end': '1363.680', 'text': 'United States. We had just come out of the\xa0\nRed Summers where there was literally racial'}, {'start': '1363.680', 'end': '1372.080', 'text': 'warfare in 37 cities throughout the United\xa0\nStates. Now in that environment, the American'}, {'start': '1372.080', 'end': '1381.840', 'text': "Bahá'í community was just beginning to develop\xa0\nand it had very specific instructions from the"}, {'start': '1381.840', 'end': '1388.720', 'text': 'head of the faith that we were to build a\xa0\nracially integrated spiritual community.'}, {'start': '1388.720', 'end': '1396.000', 'text': 'You can imagine what a challenge that was in the\xa0\ncontext of what was happening at the time.'}, {'start': '1396.000', 'end': '1404.880', 'text': 'When the votes were counted, the new nine member\xa0\nassembly included two women, Florence Morton and Amelia Collins.'}, {'start': '1404.880', 'end': '1409.280', 'text': 'Two years later,\xa0\xa0Louis Gregory joined the assembly and\xa0\nover the succeeding decades, it would'}, {'start': '1409.280', 'end': '1413.520', 'text': 'continue to represent the diversity\xa0\nof the American continent itself.'}, {'start': '1414.080', 'end': '1421.440', 'text': 'For me, the hundredth anniversary of the founding\xa0\nof the National Spiritual Assembly of the United'}, {'start': '1421.440', 'end': '1430.080', 'text': 'States and Canada is a cause for not only great\xa0\ncelebration, but also for reflection.'}, {'start': '1430.080', 'end': '1437.760', 'text': 'Well, you know, when you start thinking about the\xa0\ndevelopment of the United States and the whole'}, {'start': '1437.760', 'end': '1445.680', 'text': 'idea of freedom and justice for all people,\xa0\nand the founding motto of e pluribus Unum,'}, {'start': '1445.680', 'end': '1452.800', 'text': 'out of many people, we will build one\xa0\nnation. And those principles have to be'}, {'start': '1452.800', 'end': '1459.840', 'text': 'inspired and organized in accordance with the same\xa0\nspiritual understandings and spiritual principles,'}, {'start': '1459.840', 'end': '1464.960', 'text': 'but they have, they have to have practical\xa0\nstructures and practical organizations. Now,'}, {'start': '1464.960', 'end': '1471.920', 'text': 'one of the things that Shoghi Effendi talked\xa0\nabout was that the spirit and the form could'}, {'start': '1471.920', 'end': '1479.440', 'text': 'not be separated. That is because the intended aim\xa0\nof this religious dispensation is to bring about'}, {'start': '1479.440', 'end': '1486.800', 'text': 'all of the promises of religions gone by.\nThis is the time when the maturity of human'}, {'start': '1486.800', 'end': '1494.000', 'text': 'beings is achieved, and we gradually\xa0\ntransform this fragmented, discordant,'}, {'start': '1494.000', 'end': '1501.920', 'text': 'and contentious world into a flower garden\xa0\nof understanding and cooperation.'}, {'start': '1508.400', 'end': '1515.840', 'text': 'It is essential for us to understand the\xa0\nrevolutionary forces now operating in the world,'}, {'start': '1515.840', 'end': '1522.240', 'text': 'in virtually every sphere of human\xa0\nactivity. Two essential processes'}, {'start': '1522.240', 'end': '1529.280', 'text': 'are under way. One is destructive in\xa0\nnature, while the other is integrative.'}, {'start': '1530.000', 'end': '1539.760', 'text': 'Both processes, each in its own way, serve\xa0\nto lead humanity towards its full maturity.'}, {'start': '1539.760', 'end': '1546.240', 'text': 'The destructive forces are clear everywhere.\xa0\nTime-honored institutions are increasingly'}, {'start': '1546.240', 'end': '1554.880', 'text': 'paralyzed and powerless. Leaders at all levels\xa0\nfind themselves unable to mend the fractures in'}, {'start': '1554.880', 'end': '1563.680', 'text': 'society, or to heal the despair and apathy now\xa0\ntaking hold in many quarters. Even such things'}, {'start': '1563.680', 'end': '1572.960', 'text': 'as objective truth are being called into question,\xa0\nwhich leaves us with no shared sense of reality.'}, {'start': '1572.960', 'end': '1580.240', 'text': 'These forces, although they are devastating, are\xa0\npointing out the faults in our current ways of'}, {'start': '1580.240', 'end': '1589.840', 'text': 'thought and behavior, thus helping to clear away\xa0\nthe barriers that block our progress. This opens'}, {'start': '1589.840', 'end': '1597.040', 'text': 'space for the second process, integration,\xa0\nwhich draws people together and provides new'}, {'start': '1597.040', 'end': '1607.920', 'text': 'opportunities for cooperation and collaboration.\xa0\nThe world is now deeply connected, for example in'}, {'start': '1607.920', 'end': '1616.640', 'text': 'the sphere of global commerce and communications,\xa0\nand a sense of our interdependence has emerged.'}, {'start': '1616.640', 'end': '1622.480', 'text': 'The challenge for all of us is how to align\xa0\nourselves, individually and collectively,'}, {'start': '1622.480', 'end': '1630.080', 'text': 'with the process of integration. We need to work\xa0\ntogether to create a society that embodies our'}, {'start': '1630.080', 'end': '1638.800', 'text': 'highest aspirations and ideals. This will help\xa0\nlead to an era of universal peace. Which is the'}, {'start': '1638.800', 'end': '1647.920', 'text': 'view that underlies every endeavor pursued by the\xa0\nBahá’í community. But how can we do this?'}, {'start': '1647.920', 'end': '1654.320', 'text': 'To work for the common good requires us to\xa0\nrecognize guiding spiritual principles that'}, {'start': '1654.320', 'end': '1663.120', 'text': 'lie at the heart of our reality. The foundation\xa0\nis the recognition that there is a moral order to'}, {'start': '1663.120', 'end': '1672.560', 'text': 'the universe. This idea has fallen out of fashion\xa0\nin some circles. But if there is no moral order,'}, {'start': '1672.560', 'end': '1679.040', 'text': 'then every person and interest group works to\xa0\ngain the most for themselves, whatever the cost'}, {'start': '1679.040', 'end': '1688.240', 'text': 'to others. Other guiding principles exist, but\xa0\nthe first and most important is the oneness of'}, {'start': '1688.240', 'end': '1699.600', 'text': 'humanity. We are all one species, one kindred,\xa0\none family. Prejudices of any kind have no basis'}, {'start': '1699.600', 'end': '1708.240', 'text': 'in reality. All of us, of whatever background\xa0\nor gender, deserve to be treated with dignity,'}, {'start': '1708.240', 'end': '1714.960', 'text': 'to participate in the life of society, and to\xa0\nbe given the opportunity to develop whatever'}, {'start': '1714.960', 'end': '1722.560', 'text': 'talents we possess for our own progress and\xa0\nfor the advancement of civilization.'}, {'start': '1725.680', 'end': '1731.040', 'text': 'So, June of 2022, there\nwas like this camp and it was sent'}, {'start': '1731.040', 'end': '1735.440', 'text': 'out for like Florida, Georgia,\nMississippi, Alabama, South Carolina.'}, {'start': '1735.440', 'end': '1737.360', 'text': 'It was a 12 day camp.\nIt was the first that we'}, {'start': '1737.360', 'end': '1742.320', 'text': 'ever had that was that big.\nAnd over those 12 days, about 130, near'}, {'start': '1742.320', 'end': '1746.160', 'text': '150 youth were able to participate.\nWell, at first in the camps, people were'}, {'start': '1746.160', 'end': '1751.840', 'text': 'kind of in their geographic regions, which\nalso meant like racial, like groupings,'}, {'start': '1751.840', 'end': '1756.320', 'text': "and, and it was kind of becoming\nnoticeable, you know, it's natural for"}, {'start': '1756.320', 'end': '1759.360', 'text': 'people to be with their friends but I\nthink when we were noticing that it was'}, {'start': '1759.360', 'end': '1764.080', 'text': "also along like racial lines at first, we\nwere like, mmm, it's a Baha'i camp, so"}, {'start': '1764.080', 'end': '1765.040', 'text': "we're trying\nto figure out how can we"}, {'start': '1765.040', 'end': '1767.760', 'text': "apply Baha'u'llah's Revelation\nFemale #1: even to like our social"}, {'start': '1767.760', 'end': '1771.040', 'text': "spaces when we're eating dinner,\nlike who we're doing our arts with."}, {'start': '1771.040', 'end': '1772.960', 'text': 'By really the third\nday, the tutors came'}, {'start': '1772.960', 'end': '1775.600', 'text': 'together to reflect and\nwe were like, "What can we do to'}, {'start': '1775.600', 'end': '1779.280', 'text': 'address this?" It was very\nobvious and we really'}, {'start': '1779.280', 'end': '1782.160', 'text': 'took some special initiatives.\nSo we reflected really on the story'}, {'start': '1782.160', 'end': '1788.080', 'text': 'about Louis Gregory and how can we\nreally think about giving the seat of'}, {'start': '1788.080', 'end': '1792.560', 'text': 'honor to the black youth who are coming.\nAnd that I think that really inspired'}, {'start': '1792.560', 'end': '1796.160', 'text': 'all of the tutors to really think\nabout--it was really a shift in thinking.'}, {'start': '1796.160', 'end': '1799.840', 'text': 'The tutors were like, okay, we need to\nreally shift our own thinking as well.'}, {'start': '1799.840', 'end': '1802.320', 'text': 'And then what conversation can\nwe have with our participants'}, {'start': '1802.320', 'end': '1804.880', 'text': 'in our study circles?\nAnd I think that by the'}, {'start': '1804.880', 'end': '1808.160', 'text': 'middle of the camp, more and more\npeople were starting to like branch'}, {'start': '1808.160', 'end': '1812.560', 'text': 'out and be with people from different\nbackgrounds, different localities.'}, {'start': '1812.560', 'end': '1814.880', 'text': 'And I think a big part of\nit too was like our outings.'}, {'start': '1814.880', 'end': '1817.680', 'text': 'I think in the middle of the week we\ngot to go to the Civil Rights Center.'}, {'start': '1817.680', 'end': '1821.040', 'text': 'And on that trip a lot of people were\nkind of like mingling and like walking'}, {'start': '1821.040', 'end': '1824.640', 'text': "groups with like different people that\nthey hadn't really interacted much with."}, {'start': '1824.640', 'end': '1827.520', 'text': 'Just started branching out by that time\nwith the support of like the tutors'}, {'start': '1827.520', 'end': '1831.040', 'text': 'being like kind of encouraging people\nto like branch out, talk to new people,'}, {'start': '1831.040', 'end': '1836.400', 'text': "thinking about the implications of a\nspace that's segregated by race and"}, {'start': '1836.400', 'end': '1838.480', 'text': "thinking about how that wasn't necessarily\nthe culture we were trying to\xa0build."}, {'start': '1844.685', 'end': '1847.040', 'text': 'The teachings of the religions of the'}, {'start': '1847.040', 'end': '1854.400', 'text': 'world are a great source of spiritual knowledge.\xa0\nMany people have rejected the concept of religion.'}, {'start': '1854.400', 'end': '1859.760', 'text': 'The reasons for this are understandable.\xa0\nReligious fanaticism has been one of the'}, {'start': '1859.760', 'end': '1866.800', 'text': 'greatest curses of history, and it continues\xa0\nto exercise pernicious effects everywhere.'}, {'start': '1866.800', 'end': '1872.720', 'text': 'Yet Baha’u’llah challenges us to understand\xa0\nthe nature of true religion. Religion is not'}, {'start': '1872.720', 'end': '1881.680', 'text': 'in its essence a mere set of creeds, dogmas and\xa0\nrituals. It does not cling blindly to traditions,'}, {'start': '1881.680', 'end': '1890.320', 'text': 'nor is it in contradiction to rational thought. It\xa0\nis not an excuse to condemn or persecute others.'}, {'start': '1890.320', 'end': '1896.720', 'text': 'In its highest form religion is a force for\xa0\nbringing people together for the common good.'}, {'start': '1897.440', 'end': '1904.400', 'text': 'Baha’u’llah’s teachings offer a single\xa0\ntranscendent theme -- that of oneness:'}, {'start': '1904.400', 'end': '1911.040', 'text': 'that there is one God, that there is one\xa0\nhuman family, with all of us His children;'}, {'start': '1911.040', 'end': '1916.400', 'text': 'and that religion in reality is one\xa0\n-- that humanity’s religious history,'}, {'start': '1916.400', 'end': '1924.880', 'text': 'in all its diversity, offers a single story of\xa0\nhumanity’s encounter with the Divine Source.'}, {'start': '1924.880', 'end': '1931.200', 'text': 'The essential spiritual principles of all the\xa0\ngreat religions, however variously expressed,'}, {'start': '1931.200', 'end': '1937.600', 'text': 'are one. All foster a sense of\xa0\ntranscendent meaning, all remind'}, {'start': '1937.600', 'end': '1944.400', 'text': 'us of our nature as spiritual beings, and of\xa0\nthe path that makes for a life well lived.'}, {'start': '1944.400', 'end': '1949.760', 'text': 'The spiritual history of humanity is a\xa0\nlove story. It is the story of God’s love'}, {'start': '1949.760', 'end': '1955.840', 'text': 'for humanity and of the corresponding love\xa0\ninspired in the hearts of human beings. It'}, {'start': '1955.840', 'end': '1962.160', 'text': 'is the story of the love that this engenders\xa0\nin their hearts for all of God’s creation,'}, {'start': '1962.160', 'end': '1968.240', 'text': 'and especially for our fellow human beings.\nWhile the various religions speak to the mystical'}, {'start': '1968.240', 'end': '1975.120', 'text': 'relationship between the divine and the\xa0\nindividual, they also counsel us to recognize'}, {'start': '1975.120', 'end': '1982.000', 'text': 'that fulfilling our own potential requires\xa0\nthat we seek to serve others. They see the'}, {'start': '1982.000', 'end': '1988.800', 'text': 'value and sacredness in every human being and\xa0\nurge us to love others as we would ourselves.'}, {'start': '1989.360', 'end': '1995.920', 'text': 'They recognize that the inner condition of our\xa0\nhearts affects our acts, our relationships with'}, {'start': '1995.920', 'end': '2004.240', 'text': 'others, and our impact in the world, whether for\xa0\ngood or evil. We find in faith the inspiration and'}, {'start': '2004.240', 'end': '2010.320', 'text': 'the inner assurance that empowers us to serve our\xa0\nneighbors, to work sacrificially for the common'}, {'start': '2010.320', 'end': '2018.000', 'text': 'weal, to pursue knowledge and understanding, and\xa0\nto strive for a just and peaceful society.'}, {'start': '2018.720', 'end': '2024.800', 'text': 'At this time in history, when the interdependence\xa0\nof the world is so clear, when a universal set'}, {'start': '2024.800', 'end': '2031.760', 'text': 'of values is greatly needed, these eternal\xa0\nprinciples gain even greater significance.'}, {'start': '2031.760', 'end': '2037.520', 'text': 'Such values must not only shape the way in which\xa0\nindividuals treat each other – they must also'}, {'start': '2037.520', 'end': '2043.360', 'text': 'shape the ways we conceive of community\xa0\nand operate society’s institutions.'}, {'start': '2044.000', 'end': '2049.520', 'text': "The Bahá'ís believe that the history of\xa0\nhumanity is really the story of one vast"}, {'start': '2049.520', 'end': '2055.600', 'text': 'process whose ultimate goal is the coming\xa0\ntogether of the entire human race. But this'}, {'start': '2055.600', 'end': '2063.440', 'text': 'unity does not mean uniformity; rather it will\xa0\nbe a unity in diversity: united in our essential'}, {'start': '2063.440', 'end': '2069.760', 'text': 'values and aspirations, yet infinitely\xa0\ndiverse in our cultural expressions.'}, {'start': '2070.320', 'end': '2077.440', 'text': 'We do not believe that the road forward will\xa0\nbe an easy one. It will involve ceaseless work,'}, {'start': '2077.440', 'end': '2083.520', 'text': 'sacrifice and struggle. To achieve\xa0\nit requires a world-embracing vision,'}, {'start': '2083.520', 'end': '2090.399', 'text': 'one that inspires our consciousness and brings us\xa0\ntogether in solidarity with all people.'}, {'start': '2109.920', 'end': '2116.586', 'text': 'The longest story in our history is the\xa0\nrelationship between humanity and God.'}, {'start': '2122.000', 'end': '2127.120', 'text': 'Individually or collectively we explore\xa0\nthis relationship through expressions'}, {'start': '2127.120', 'end': '2129.826', 'text': 'that reach beyond ourselves.'}, {'start': '2136.031', 'end': '2142.533', 'text': 'Though our practices may differ,\nit has always been one continuous story.'}, {'start': '2154.360', 'end': '2165.254', 'text': '“The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until\xa0\nits unity is firmly established.”'}, {'start': '2175.040', 'end': '2183.395', 'text': '“If one part suffers, every part\xa0\nsuffers with it; if one part is honored,\xa0\xa0 every part rejoices with it.”'}, {'start': '2193.890', 'end': '2200.000', 'text': '“Indeed, God does not change the condition of a people\nuntil they change\xa0what is in themselves.”'}, {'start': '2210.960', 'end': '2215.005', 'text': '“How good and pleasant it is when\xa0\nbrothers live together in unity!”'}, {'start': '2224.000', 'end': '2231.000', 'text': '“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single\xa0\nflame and the life of the candle will not be\xa0shortened.”'}, {'start': '2239.083', 'end': '2245.739', 'text': '“A true yogī observes Me in all beings\nand also sees every being in Me.”'}, {'start': '2257.360', 'end': '2262.080', 'text': '“Look and listen for the welfare\xa0\nof the whole people and have always'}, {'start': '2262.080', 'end': '2267.405', 'text': 'in view not only the present but also\xa0\nthe coming generations…”'}, {'start': '2280.080', 'end': '2288.880', 'text': 'It is time to remember who we Americans aspire\xa0\nto be as a people. This moment beckons us to'}, {'start': '2288.880', 'end': '2295.200', 'text': 'a renewed commitment to realize the\xa0\nideal of E Pluribus Unum—out of many,'}, {'start': '2295.200', 'end': '2300.960', 'text': 'one—the very aspiration upon\xa0\nwhich America was founded.'}, {'start': '2300.960', 'end': '2308.080', 'text': 'It is not enough simply to believe in our hearts\xa0\nthat we are all equal. This awareness creates the'}, {'start': '2308.080', 'end': '2316.960', 'text': 'moral imperative to act, and to view all aspects\xa0\nof our personal, social, and institutional lives'}, {'start': '2316.960', 'end': '2322.800', 'text': 'through the lens of justice. It implies\xa0\nsocial innovations more profound than'}, {'start': '2322.800', 'end': '2328.720', 'text': 'anything we have yet achieved. And it requires\xa0\nthe participation of Americans of every'}, {'start': '2328.720', 'end': '2337.760', 'text': 'race, creed and background, for only through such\xa0\ninclusive participation can we achieve unity.'}, {'start': '2337.760', 'end': '2345.280', 'text': 'It is one thing to protest injustices as they\xa0\narise, but it is a far more profound challenge'}, {'start': '2345.280', 'end': '2353.280', 'text': 'to create an effective framework for justice. Our\xa0\nefforts can only succeed when we learn to build'}, {'start': '2353.280', 'end': '2361.120', 'text': 'relationships with each other based on sincere\xa0\nfriendship, regard, and trust, which, in turn, can'}, {'start': '2361.120', 'end': '2368.880', 'text': 'illuminate our institutions and communities.\nAn essential element of the process will be honest'}, {'start': '2368.880', 'end': '2376.320', 'text': 'and truthful discourse about the road we have\xa0\ntaken to where we are now. We must, for example,'}, {'start': '2376.320', 'end': '2382.640', 'text': 'build the capacity to truly hear and acknowledge\xa0\nthe voices of those who have directly suffered'}, {'start': '2382.640', 'end': '2388.720', 'text': 'from the effects of racial prejudice. It is\xa0\ncritical to understand our present reality,'}, {'start': '2388.720', 'end': '2395.680', 'text': 'and how we got here, so that we can move forward.\xa0\nThis capacity should manifest itself in our'}, {'start': '2395.680', 'end': '2402.960', 'text': 'schools, the media, and other civic arenas,\xa0\nas well as in our work and personal relations.'}, {'start': '2402.960', 'end': '2410.000', 'text': 'This should not end with words, but lead\xa0\nto meaningful, constructive action.'}, {'start': '2410.000', 'end': '2415.360', 'text': 'Significant efforts are already underway\xa0\nto learn how to create models of unity in'}, {'start': '2415.360', 'end': '2421.440', 'text': 'neighborhoods and communities throughout the\xa0\nnation. Bahá’ís have been persistently engaged'}, {'start': '2421.440', 'end': '2430.240', 'text': 'in such efforts for decades. Again, the aim is\xa0\nnot unity in sameness—it is unity in diversity,'}, {'start': '2430.240', 'end': '2436.400', 'text': 'recognizing that everyone has a part to play\xa0\nin contributing to the betterment of society,'}, {'start': '2436.400', 'end': '2444.160', 'text': 'and that true prosperity, material and spiritual,\xa0\nwill be available to us all to the degree that'}, {'start': '2444.160', 'end': '2451.040', 'text': 'we live up to this standard of inclusiveness. We\xa0\nshould discover what helps to make a difference,'}, {'start': '2451.040', 'end': '2457.920', 'text': 'and why. We should share this learning throughout\xa0\nthe country as a means of inspiring and assisting'}, {'start': '2457.920', 'end': '2465.120', 'text': 'the work of others. There is nothing more\xa0\npersuasive than the force of example. Fundamental'}, {'start': '2465.120', 'end': '2472.000', 'text': 'changes in social attitude will be achieved if men\xa0\nand women of good will can see others attempting'}, {'start': '2472.000', 'end': '2479.840', 'text': 'successfully to give these ideals practical\xa0\nexpression in individual and community life.'}, {'start': '2479.840', 'end': '2486.560', 'text': 'If we do this, we could soon find ourselves\xa0\nin the midst of a fundamental transformation.'}, {'start': '2487.200', 'end': '2493.280', 'text': 'A new society will be based upon our\xa0\nmuch higher potential for collaboration,'}, {'start': '2493.280', 'end': '2501.200', 'text': 'reciprocity and human progress. We all understand\xa0\nhow members of a healthy family depend upon each'}, {'start': '2501.200', 'end': '2508.960', 'text': 'other and provide mutual support in relationships\xa0\nbuilt on trust. This is no less true for a healthy'}, {'start': '2508.960', 'end': '2517.360', 'text': 'community, and for an entire nation.\nLet us not lose this opportunity. Will we'}, {'start': '2517.360', 'end': '2523.920', 'text': 'commit to the process of forming “a more perfect\nunion”? Will we be guided by “the better angels'}, {'start': '2523.920', 'end': '2531.280', 'text': 'of our nature” to choose the course of\nwisdom, of courage, and of unity? Can we'}, {'start': '2531.280', 'end': '2538.560', 'text': 'become the “beloved community” that includes\xa0\nand uplifts all? Will we choose to truly'}, {'start': '2538.560', 'end': '2544.671', 'text': 'become that “city upon a hill” to serve as\xa0\nan inspiration to all humanity?'}, {'start': '2552.000', 'end': '2556.640', 'text': 'Do you know where you are?\nDo you know what has'}, {'start': '2556.640', 'end': '2562.960', 'text': 'brought you here?\nDo you know what comes next?'}, {'start': '2563.920', 'end': '2568.640', 'text': 'For too long, we’ve been divided\xa0\nby things we didn’t choose—'}, {'start': '2568.640', 'end': '2572.960', 'text': 'by old prejudices built into\xa0\nhow we see and how we live.'}, {'start': '2572.960', 'end': '2577.120', 'text': 'But are we doing enough to change it?'}, {'start': '2577.120', 'end': '2580.800', 'text': 'Are we nourishing every population\xa0\nthat makes up this country—'}, {'start': '2580.800', 'end': '2584.480', 'text': 'or still convinced that only\xa0\none limb deserves nutrients,'}, {'start': '2584.480', 'end': '2589.360', 'text': 'then wondering why the body\xa0\nstruggles to move forward?'}, {'start': '2591.760', 'end': '2597.440', 'text': '“Racism is a profound deviation from the\xa0\nstandard of true morality. It deprives a'}, {'start': '2597.440', 'end': '2602.080', 'text': 'portion of humanity of the opportunity to\xa0\ncultivate and express the full range of'}, {'start': '2602.080', 'end': '2607.760', 'text': 'their capability and to live a meaningful\xa0\nand flourishing life, while blighting the'}, {'start': '2607.760', 'end': '2614.960', 'text': 'progress of the rest of humankind.\nIt cannot be rooted out by contest and conflict.'}, {'start': '2615.920', 'end': '2620.640', 'text': 'It must be supplanted by the establishment\xa0\nof just relationships among individuals,'}, {'start': '2620.640', 'end': '2628.000', 'text': 'communities, and institutions of\xa0\nsociety that will uplift all and will'}, {'start': '2628.000', 'end': '2633.440', 'text': 'not designate anyone as “other”.\nThe change required is not merely social'}, {'start': '2633.440', 'end': '2641.920', 'text': 'and economic, but above all moral\xa0\nand spiritual.”'}, {'start': '2654.960', 'end': '2661.360', 'text': 'We cannot know what to do until we\xa0\nknow what story we are a part of.'}, {'start': '2662.560', 'end': '2671.440', 'text': 'If we accept that there is an arc to human\xa0\nhistory, a goal, then the question is where'}, {'start': '2671.440', 'end': '2679.280', 'text': 'we go from here and how we get there.\nBecause we have not yet achieved a perfect'}, {'start': '2679.280', 'end': '2688.880', 'text': 'society, we must approach efforts to progress\xa0\nforward with a willingness to learn. We must join'}, {'start': '2688.880', 'end': '2698.480', 'text': 'hands to help each other to build the capacity\xa0\nto create the society we want to see. Together'}, {'start': '2698.480', 'end': '2706.560', 'text': 'let us learn to apply the principle of oneness\xa0\nthrough practical engagement and experience.'}, {'start': '2706.560', 'end': '2712.080', 'text': 'The Bahá’í writings say:\n“… peace must first be established'}, {'start': '2712.080', 'end': '2719.200', 'text': 'among individuals, until it leadeth in\xa0\nthe end to peace among nations. Wherefore,'}, {'start': '2719.200', 'end': '2727.040', 'text': 'O ye Bahá’ís, strive ye with all your might to\xa0\ncreate, through the power of the Word of God,'}, {'start': '2727.040', 'end': '2735.680', 'text': 'genuine love, spiritual communion and durable\xa0\nbonds among individuals. This is your task.”'}, {'start': '2737.360', 'end': '2742.960', 'text': 'This means that social change begins\xa0\nat the grassroots, as friends,'}, {'start': '2742.960', 'end': '2752.480', 'text': 'families and neighbors begin a process of creating\xa0\nrelationships characterized by loving fellowship,'}, {'start': '2752.480', 'end': '2762.240', 'text': 'service and a sense of common purpose. As we do\xa0\nthis, we learn to embrace ever larger numbers of'}, {'start': '2762.240', 'end': '2771.680', 'text': 'people until entire communities begin to advance\xa0\ntogether. Over time we increasingly demonstrate'}, {'start': '2771.680', 'end': '2782.800', 'text': 'the power of unity, as communities emerge that\xa0\nembody unity and peace; communities where racism,'}, {'start': '2782.800', 'end': '2794.320', 'text': 'otherness and prejudice have no part. These can\xa0\nserve as havens of hope for all people.'}, {'start': '2794.320', 'end': '2802.640', 'text': 'But by “havens” we do not mean hideouts.\xa0\nThese are not places where we try to escape'}, {'start': '2802.640', 'end': '2809.840', 'text': 'from the difficulties of life. Rather, they\xa0\nare sources of inspiration and strength that'}, {'start': '2809.840', 'end': '2818.560', 'text': 'provide us with the resources we need to work\xa0\ntogether towards our common aspirations.'}, {'start': '2818.560', 'end': '2824.160', 'text': 'Such havens, large and small, cultivate\xa0\nenvironments in which children can be'}, {'start': '2824.160', 'end': '2833.280', 'text': 'raised untainted by any form of racial,\xa0\nnational, or religious prejudice.'}, {'start': '2833.280', 'end': '2839.360', 'text': 'They champion the full equality of women\xa0\nand men in the affairs of the community.'}, {'start': '2840.240', 'end': '2848.240', 'text': 'They provide programs of education, transformative\xa0\nin their effects, open to all, and encompassing'}, {'start': '2848.240', 'end': '2858.000', 'text': 'both the material and spiritual aspects of life.\nSuch havens give birth to social action as a way'}, {'start': '2858.000', 'end': '2866.400', 'text': 'to remedy the numerous ills afflicting humanity\xa0\nand to empower each person to help build a new'}, {'start': '2866.400', 'end': '2875.520', 'text': 'world. Such people develop capacity to engage\xa0\nthose around them, regardless of creed, culture,'}, {'start': '2875.520', 'end': '2882.080', 'text': 'class, or ethnicity, in conversations\xa0\nabout how to bring about spiritual and'}, {'start': '2882.080', 'end': '2891.040', 'text': 'material well-being through systematic\xa0\napplication of spiritual principles.'}, {'start': '2891.040', 'end': '2896.640', 'text': 'In their experience working in hundreds\xa0\nof neighborhoods throughout the country,'}, {'start': '2896.640', 'end': '2905.440', 'text': 'the Bahá’ís and those working with us have\xa0\nseen the value of a non-partisan, non-divisive,'}, {'start': '2905.440', 'end': '2914.320', 'text': 'consultative approach to problem solving. The\xa0\nBahá’í approach, we believe, demonstrates how'}, {'start': '2914.320', 'end': '2924.320', 'text': 'we might build institutional capacity to govern\xa0\nin a spirit of service, to resolve conflicts,'}, {'start': '2924.320', 'end': '2934.240', 'text': 'and to build unity, creating an electoral process\xa0\nwhich is an expression of peace, in contrast'}, {'start': '2934.240', 'end': '2946.720', 'text': 'to the vitriol and even violence that often\xa0\naccompanies elections in the wider society.'}, {'start': '2946.720', 'end': '2959.440', 'text': 'Youth face particular challenges in these times.\xa0\nThey are experiencing an epidemic of loneliness,'}, {'start': '2959.440', 'end': '2968.080', 'text': 'anxiety and depression. Some observers do not\xa0\nhave faith in the potential of young people to'}, {'start': '2968.080', 'end': '2975.440', 'text': 'take mature and effective decisions. Others\xa0\nare dismissive, focusing on the challenges'}, {'start': '2975.440', 'end': '2983.840', 'text': 'youth face without acting to foster their\xa0\npotential. Yet we have seen that when youth'}, {'start': '2983.840', 'end': '2990.800', 'text': 'internalize the principle of oneness, they\xa0\ndevelop a longing to serve their society.'}, {'start': '2992.160', 'end': '2998.960', 'text': 'They become inspired to make a difference not only\xa0\nin their neighborhood but in the wider society,'}, {'start': '2998.960', 'end': '3008.160', 'text': 'in ways that are truly impactful. Transformative\xa0\nchange becomes the work of their generation and'}, {'start': '3008.160', 'end': '3012.638', 'text': 'the work of all generations to come.'}, {'start': '3016.969', 'end': '3025.840', 'text': 'And indeed when youth rise to meet this calling,\ntheir impact is unmistakable.'}, {'start': '3025.840', 'end': '3029.520', 'text': 'Across the country, young\npeople are embracing their role'}, {'start': '3029.520', 'end': '3035.840', 'text': 'as builders of a new society.\nIn families, neighborhoods,'}, {'start': '3035.840', 'end': '3041.600', 'text': 'classrooms, community centers,\nand even on national stages, their'}, {'start': '3041.600', 'end': '3047.280', 'text': "contributions are gaining momentum.\nIn the Bahá'í Faith, youth are not"}, {'start': '3047.280', 'end': '3052.560', 'text': 'only seen as leaders of tomorrow,\nbut as protagonists of change today.'}, {'start': '3052.560', 'end': '3057.680', 'text': 'Through meaningful conversations,\nservice projects, and a growing network'}, {'start': '3057.680', 'end': '3063.680', 'text': 'of friendships rooted in spiritual\nprinciples, they are actively engaged in'}, {'start': '3063.680', 'end': '3070.960', 'text': 'building a more unified and just society.\nOne powerful expression of this'}, {'start': '3070.960', 'end': '3075.280', 'text': 'movement are youth conferences-\ngatherings where young people come'}, {'start': '3075.280', 'end': '3080.160', 'text': 'together to reflect, consult, and\nmake plans to release the society'}, {'start': '3080.160', 'end': '3084.960', 'text': "building powers of the Baha'i Faith.\nI decided to come to the youth"}, {'start': '3084.960', 'end': '3091.280', 'text': 'conference because, I wanted to meet\nnew people and especially people my age.'}, {'start': '3091.280', 'end': '3095.120', 'text': 'And I already know, like amazing,\nwonderful people from the past'}, {'start': '3095.120', 'end': '3098.960', 'text': "times that I've like come to\nbig gatherings like these ones."}, {'start': '3098.960', 'end': '3105.120', 'text': 'And it is a conference with\nthe hope of increasing capacity to'}, {'start': '3105.120', 'end': '3108.320', 'text': 'engage in meaningful conversations.\nDuring the conference,'}, {'start': '3108.320', 'end': '3113.760', 'text': "we've really talked about the power\nthat youth have in this day and"}, {'start': '3113.760', 'end': '3119.840', 'text': 'age, about how our unique gifts are\nhelping us bring humanity forward.'}, {'start': '3119.840', 'end': '3122.800', 'text': "At the youth conference we've\nbeen learning about like Baha'u'llah's"}, {'start': '3122.800', 'end': '3126.720', 'text': "vision for humanity and like youths'\nessential role in like bettering"}, {'start': '3126.720', 'end': '3130.160', 'text': 'our communities and\nlike what capacities do youth'}, {'start': '3130.160', 'end': '3134.480', 'text': 'need to build in order to actually\neffectively serve their communities.'}, {'start': '3134.480', 'end': '3138.160', 'text': "So it's been really interesting\nlike hearing all the participants'"}, {'start': '3138.160', 'end': '3142.000', 'text': 'input and like hearing about their\npersonal experience about, "Okay,'}, {'start': '3142.000', 'end': '3146.000', 'text': 'I see this need in my community and\nI wanna address it in this way."'}, {'start': '3146.000', 'end': '3149.040', 'text': "So far at the conference,\nI've been really enjoying myself."}, {'start': '3149.040', 'end': '3152.800', 'text': 'I find it really easy to socialize\nand make friends because the'}, {'start': '3152.800', 'end': '3156.480', 'text': "people are so welcoming and kind.\nThey come up to you, they say 'Hi,"}, {'start': '3156.480', 'end': '3160.240', 'text': "what's your name?' It's just such a\nwelcoming community and it is just"}, {'start': '3160.240', 'end': '3162.960', 'text': 'like you wanna be friends with everyone\nand they wanna be friends with you.'}, {'start': '3162.960', 'end': '3167.760', 'text': "We've talked about\ntopics such as universal peace."}, {'start': '3167.760', 'end': '3173.120', 'text': "We've talked about how can we as\nyouth, empower other youth to strive"}, {'start': '3173.120', 'end': '3177.200', 'text': 'for building a better community, a\nmore positive community, a community'}, {'start': '3177.200', 'end': '3181.680', 'text': 'based on principles like truthfulness,\nbased on principles like love.'}, {'start': '3181.680', 'end': '3185.200', 'text': "And it's been so great to be able\nto pick each other's brains and"}, {'start': '3185.200', 'end': '3189.920', 'text': 'get to talk so much about how\nwe can build better communities.'}, {'start': '3190.480', 'end': '3194.560', 'text': 'Really impressed by the\nsheer energy that I feel like people'}, {'start': '3194.560', 'end': '3199.920', 'text': 'are bringing, across many different\npaths of lives and backgrounds.'}, {'start': '3199.920', 'end': '3204.640', 'text': 'I think on planning, we all\nhad this deep desire to, anyone who wanted'}, {'start': '3204.640', 'end': '3209.280', 'text': 'to walk through the door would be able to\nwalk through and like feel a safe space.'}, {'start': '3209.280', 'end': '3213.040', 'text': 'And so there was all these tiny little\nlogistical things we had to think about,'}, {'start': '3213.040', 'end': '3217.920', 'text': 'like name tags and foods and dietary\nrestrictions, location, you know, how'}, {'start': '3217.920', 'end': '3223.120', 'text': 'can people travel and like how can we\nactually create a vibrant community that'}, {'start': '3223.120', 'end': '3228.640', 'text': "we're studying about in this environment.\nAnd now seeing it all come to life"}, {'start': '3228.640', 'end': '3232.320', 'text': "and seeing all the youths' like smiles\nand laughter and singing songs with"}, {'start': '3232.320', 'end': '3237.360', 'text': 'them, it made all the consultation\nthat went into planning the conference'}, {'start': '3237.360', 'end': '3241.440', 'text': 'feel so rich and it was so exciting\nto like see the results of it.'}, {'start': '3241.440', 'end': '3246.240', 'text': 'So I was really happy that like people\nseemed to be happy about the conference.'}, {'start': '3246.240', 'end': '3250.480', 'text': 'I had no expectations.\nI only know one fellow member'}, {'start': '3250.480', 'end': '3254.720', 'text': "who seemed very engaging and when\nhe said, 'Do you want to go to a"}, {'start': '3254.720', 'end': '3259.120', 'text': "conference?', I was very open to see\npeople similar, like-minded as him."}, {'start': '3259.120', 'end': '3263.440', 'text': 'So I had the impression of meeting\npeople that were engaged, kind,'}, {'start': '3263.440', 'end': '3268.080', 'text': 'welcoming, but also willing to learn.\nI think other religions, they talk'}, {'start': '3268.080', 'end': '3271.360', 'text': "about, 'This is what we're doing as a\nreligion; this is what we're reading.'"}, {'start': '3271.360', 'end': '3275.440', 'text': "But you don't have them like go into\nlike different smaller groups and"}, {'start': '3275.440', 'end': '3278.960', 'text': "talk about 'What is the gap that we're\nlooking to fill from your knowledge?"}, {'start': '3278.960', 'end': '3281.680', 'text': 'What is the gap between another person\nlooking to fill in their knowledge?'}, {'start': '3281.680', 'end': '3286.480', 'text': "And how do we come together?'\nSo I think, as a non-Baha'i, so"}, {'start': '3286.480', 'end': '3291.280', 'text': 'that was something new and like\nsurprising for me to see today.'}, {'start': '3291.280', 'end': '3294.720', 'text': "Here I'm learning about, right\nnow we're talking about like unity and"}, {'start': '3294.720', 'end': '3298.560', 'text': "stuff and we're actually working on a\nproject right now how like you can start"}, {'start': '3298.560', 'end': '3302.400', 'text': 'off as a seed and then it grows into a\nlot of these human virtues and then that'}, {'start': '3302.400', 'end': '3306.880', 'text': 'tree like a apple, like the seeds drop\nand then those seeds are like new people.'}, {'start': '3306.880', 'end': '3310.640', 'text': 'Like when you share the ideas, you like\nplant a new seed and that person grows'}, {'start': '3310.640', 'end': '3314.640', 'text': "and they drop a seed and it keeps going.\nSo far what we've been"}, {'start': '3314.640', 'end': '3319.440', 'text': 'learning about in my group specifically\nis the difference between like a'}, {'start': '3319.440', 'end': '3327.840', 'text': 'material life and society and then\na life with material and spiritual.'}, {'start': '3327.840', 'end': '3330.720', 'text': '"Let your heart burn with\nloving kindness for all who may cross'}, {'start': '3330.720', 'end': '3334.400', 'text': 'your path." We just painted that one\nand I was, I was thinking about that'}, {'start': '3334.400', 'end': '3337.360', 'text': "one all day 'cause I was like, ah,\nit's just like such a sweet quote to be"}, {'start': '3337.360', 'end': '3342.080', 'text': 'like, just be like, have as much love\nas possible for everybody around you.'}, {'start': '3342.880', 'end': '3347.360', 'text': 'I think youth can change\nthe world and we have such a big'}, {'start': '3347.360', 'end': '3351.520', 'text': 'responsibility and such a big role,\nbut also we come at it with so much'}, {'start': '3351.520', 'end': '3356.035', 'text': "energy that, you know, it's almost\nlike nothing can stop us as youth."}, {'start': '3362.240', 'end': '3369.680', 'text': 'Today’s media environment often projects the\xa0\nmost extreme views. These voices play upon our'}, {'start': '3369.680', 'end': '3378.240', 'text': 'fears and insecurities, to capture our attention\xa0\nand enlist us in support of this or that cause.'}, {'start': '3378.240', 'end': '3386.080', 'text': 'This inevitably is presented as good versus evil:\xa0\nthose who believe in higher values, against those'}, {'start': '3386.080', 'end': '3391.920', 'text': 'who seek to destroy our way of life.\nBut we should not allow this tactic to'}, {'start': '3391.920', 'end': '3396.480', 'text': 'blind us to the essential goodness\xa0\nof the people in this country.'}, {'start': '3397.040', 'end': '3405.760', 'text': 'Most of us sincerely want the right things for\xa0\nourselves and for everyone. We should not fall'}, {'start': '3405.760', 'end': '3413.200', 'text': 'into the trap of thinking of some groups as\xa0\nour allies, and others as our enemies. Rather,'}, {'start': '3413.200', 'end': '3418.720', 'text': 'we need to meet everyone on the grounds\xa0\nof good faith and of confidence in our'}, {'start': '3418.720', 'end': '3424.960', 'text': 'ability to find common cause as we work\xa0\ntogether to build a brighter future.'}, {'start': '3425.840', 'end': '3433.440', 'text': 'These same negative forces can create, if we are\xa0\nnot careful, a sense of impotence and helplessness'}, {'start': '3433.440', 'end': '3440.800', 'text': 'in the face of staggering challenges. But we\xa0\nmust not forget the irresistible power of truth,'}, {'start': '3440.800', 'end': '3450.560', 'text': 'of love and of unity to create the world anew.\xa0\nTogether let us work toward the prosperity of all,'}, {'start': '3450.560', 'end': '3457.680', 'text': 'recognizing that the welfare of each of us\xa0\nis tied to the welfare of all of us.'}, {'start': '3457.680', 'end': '3466.160', 'text': 'Let us behave as loyal citizens who avoid extreme\xa0\npartisanship and the contest for worldly power.'}, {'start': '3466.800', 'end': '3474.160', 'text': 'Instead, we can focus on transcending\xa0\ndifferences and harmonizing perspectives through'}, {'start': '3474.160', 'end': '3482.320', 'text': 'a consultative approach to problem solving.\nLet us emphasize qualities and attitudes—such as'}, {'start': '3482.320', 'end': '3490.880', 'text': 'trustworthiness, cooperation, and forbearance—that\xa0\nare building blocks of a stable social order.'}, {'start': '3491.440', 'end': '3498.080', 'text': 'Let us champion rationality and science\xa0\nas essential for human progress.'}, {'start': '3498.080', 'end': '3505.120', 'text': 'Let us advocate tolerance and understanding,\xa0\nand with the inherent oneness of humanity'}, {'start': '3505.120', 'end': '3512.320', 'text': 'uppermost in our minds, view everyone as\xa0\na potential partner to collaborate with,'}, {'start': '3512.320', 'end': '3518.080', 'text': 'and overcome historic distance or\xa0\nhostility between groups.'}, {'start': '3518.800', 'end': '3524.240', 'text': 'We can be conscious of the forces\xa0\nof materialism at work around us,'}, {'start': '3524.240', 'end': '3531.920', 'text': 'with our eyes wide open to the many injustices\xa0\nthat persist in the world. Yet we can be equally'}, {'start': '3531.920', 'end': '3539.920', 'text': 'clear-sighted about the creative power of unity\xa0\nand humanity’s capacity for altruism.'}, {'start': '3540.720', 'end': '3547.680', 'text': 'We can appreciate the essential purpose of\xa0\nreligion to transform hearts and overcome'}, {'start': '3547.680', 'end': '3556.080', 'text': 'distrust, and so, with complete confidence in what\xa0\nthe future holds, we can labor to cultivate'}, {'start': '3556.080', 'end': '3564.960', 'text': 'the conditions in which progress can occur.\xa0\nThe work of change is the work of the heart.'}, {'start': '3566.160', 'end': '3571.840', 'text': 'We can share our beliefs liberally with\xa0\neach other, remaining respectful of the'}, {'start': '3571.840', 'end': '3579.520', 'text': 'freedom of conscience of every soul, and\xa0\nnever impose our own beliefs on anyone.'}, {'start': '3579.520', 'end': '3583.920', 'text': 'And while we would not pretend to\xa0\nhave discovered all the answers,'}, {'start': '3583.920', 'end': '3589.600', 'text': 'we can be clear about what we have learned\xa0\nand what we still need to learn.'}, {'start': '3590.400', 'end': '3599.200', 'text': 'In nearly two and a half centuries we have seen\xa0\na nation brought into being in reaction to the'}, {'start': '3599.200', 'end': '3608.560', 'text': 'forces of tyranny; tried and tested in the blood\xa0\nof Civil War; defended on countless battlefields;'}, {'start': '3608.560', 'end': '3616.560', 'text': 'and strengthened through the determination and\xa0\nsacrifices of unnumbered souls who risked their'}, {'start': '3616.560', 'end': '3624.720', 'text': 'all in the name of equality and civil rights.\xa0\nSurely what we have achieved so far shows that,'}, {'start': '3624.720', 'end': '3631.760', 'text': 'with God’s help, there is no challenge\xa0\nbeyond our capacity to address.'}, {'start': '3631.760', 'end': '3639.840', 'text': 'The story continues. We appeal to all who\xa0\naspire to be practitioners of peace. Although'}, {'start': '3639.840', 'end': '3647.200', 'text': 'keenly aware of the trials that we must face\xa0\nbefore we achieve our destination, if we act'}, {'start': '3647.200', 'end': '3656.240', 'text': 'together we can be assured of ultimate victory.\nWe extend to everyone the hand of friendship,'}, {'start': '3656.240', 'end': '3666.080', 'text': 'of common endeavor, of shared service, of\xa0\ncollective learning, and advance as one.'}, {'start': '3687.440', 'end': '3691.840', 'text': 'Ultimately, the power to transform\xa0\nthe world is effected by love,'}, {'start': '3691.840', 'end': '3698.560', 'text': 'love originating from the relationship with the\xa0\ndivine, love ablaze among members of a community,'}, {'start': '3698.560', 'end': '3703.520', 'text': 'love extended without restriction\xa0\nto every human being.'}, {'start': '3705.120', 'end': '3712.240', 'text': 'This divine love, ignited by the Word of God, is\xa0\ndisseminated by enkindled souls through intimate'}, {'start': '3712.240', 'end': '3720.080', 'text': 'conversations that create new susceptibilities\xa0\nin human hearts, open minds to moral persuasion,'}, {'start': '3720.080', 'end': '3726.240', 'text': 'and loosen the hold of biased norms and social\xa0\nsystems so that they can gradually take on a'}, {'start': '3726.240', 'end': '3732.240', 'text': 'new form in keeping with the requirements\xa0\nof humanity’s age of maturity.'}, {'start': '3733.520', 'end': '3741.440', 'text': 'You are channels for this divine love; let it\xa0\nflow through you to all who cross your path.'}, {'start': '3741.440', 'end': '3747.760', 'text': 'Infuse it into every neighborhood and social\xa0\nspace in which you move to build capacity'}, {'start': '3747.760', 'end': '3753.040', 'text': 'to canalize the society-building power\xa0\nof Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation.'}, {'start': '3753.040', 'end': '3759.360', 'text': 'There can be no rest until the\xa0\ndestined outcome is achieved.'}, {'start': '3784.118', 'end': '3789.821', 'text': "From the Bahá'í Scriptures,\na Prayer for America."}, {'start': '3790.321', 'end': '3792.653', 'text': 'Let us pray.'}, {'start': '3795.200', 'end': '3806.640', 'text': 'O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to\xa0\nThee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love.'}, {'start': '3806.640', 'end': '3814.240', 'text': 'These minds and spirits are exhilarated\xa0\nby the message of Thy glad-tidings.'}, {'start': '3814.240', 'end': '3824.160', 'text': 'O God! Let this American democracy\xa0\nbecome glorious in spiritual degrees'}, {'start': '3824.160', 'end': '3832.790', 'text': 'even as it has aspired to material degrees,\xa0\nand render this just government victorious.'}, {'start': '3835.455', 'end': '3844.400', 'text': 'Confirm this revered nation to upraise\xa0\nthe standard of the oneness of humanity,'}, {'start': '3844.400', 'end': '3856.240', 'text': 'to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become\xa0\nthereby most glorious and praiseworthy among'}, {'start': '3856.240', 'end': '3867.600', 'text': 'all the nations of the world. O God! This\xa0\nAmerican nation is worthy of Thy favors'}, {'start': '3867.600', 'end': '3878.919', 'text': 'and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious\xa0\nand near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal.'}]