"To strive to obtain a more adequate understanding of the significance of Bahá'u'lláh's stupendous Revelation must, it is my unalterable conviction, remain the first obligation and the object of the constant endeavour of each one of its loyal adherents. . . . it is our bounden duty to seek to derive fresh inspiration and added sustenance as we labour for the propagation of His Faith through a clear apprehension of the truths it enshrines and the principles on which it is based."

(February 8, 1934 cited in The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 100)

“Direct thine attention to the holy Tablets; read thou the 'Ishráqát', 'Tajallíyyát', 'the Words of Paradise', the 'Glad Tidings', the 'Tarázát', the Most Holy Book. Then wilt thou see that today these heavenly Teachings are the remedy for a sick and suffering world, and a healing balm for the sores on the body of mankind. They are the spirit of life, the ark of salvation, the magnet to draw down eternal glory, the dynamic power to motivate the inner self of man.”

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 61)

“The first thing to do is to acquire a thirst for Spirituality, then Live the Life! Live the Life! Live the Life! The way to acquire this thirst is to meditate upon the future life. Study the Holy Words, read your Bible, read the Holy Books, especially study the Holy Utterances of Bahá'u'lláh; Prayer and Meditation, take much time with these two. Then will you know this Great Thirst, and then only can you begin to Live the Life!”

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, 19, no. 3 [June 1928], p. 69)

“If you read the utterances of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá with selflessness and care and concentrate upon them, you will discover truths unknown to you before and will obtain an insight into the problems that have baffled the great thinkers of the world. God in His essence can not be comprehended nor assume bodily form. We can only approach Him through the knowledge of His Manifestations. I pray that you may drink deep of the fountainhead of Their Sacred Teachings.”

(Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated 30 January 1925 to an individual believer, cited in the compilation The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, p. 21)

“Shoghi Effendi hopes that you will exert all your efforts to deepen your knowledge of the literature of the Movement, until you become fully acquainted with its spirit and tenets. Unless you do obtain such a firm hold you will never be able to teach others and render real service to the promulgation of the Faith. Of special importance is the Book of the Íqán which explains the attitude of the Cause towards the prophets of God and their mission in the history of society. Besides this there is Some Answered Questions of the Master and Dawn-Breakers of Nabíl. Every Bahá'í should master these books and be able to explain their contents to others. Besides their importance, they are interesting and most absorbing.”

(From a letter dated 9 February 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, cited in the compilation The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, pp. 31-32)

“He fully approves the idea of holding study classes, for the deeper the friends go in their understanding of the teachings the more firm and steadfast they will become and the more unwavering in their support of the institutions of the Faith. Books such as the Íqán, Some Answered Questions and The Dawn-Breakers should be mastered by every Bahá'í. They should read these books over and over again. The first two books will reveal to them the significance of this divine revelation as well as the unity of all the Prophets of old. The last book will show how the faith was ushered into the world and how its early adherents heroically faced martyrdom and suffering in their desire to establish the Cause throughout the world. Knowing the life of those heroes will create in us the urge to follow their footsteps and achieve the same.”

(From a letter dated 9 June 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, cited in the compilation The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, p. 33)

“He feels, indeed, that the time has come for the German believers to acquire a thorough knowledge as well as a full understanding of such important Tablets as Bahá'u'lláh's 'Book of My Covenant' and 'Abdu'l-Bahá's 'Will and Testament', both of which constitute the very bedrock upon which the entire administrative system of the Faith has been raised and established. As to 'The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh' it also constitutes an invaluable supplement to these aforementioned Tablets.”

(From a letter dated 10 January 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, cited in the compilation The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, p. 39)

“The Guardian feels particularly appreciative of the emphasis your [National Youth] Committee has laid on the study of the Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, which book, he believes, should be the continued guide and companion of every believer, specially those who are actively engaged in teaching the Cause. It is his fervent hope that this book will kindle in the heart of all the friends a new light, whereby they will receive a fuller guidance and a greater measure of inspiration in their labours for the Cause.”

(From a letter dated 28 January 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, cited in the compilation The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, p. 40)