Dear Mr. Johnson

Thank you for your article about the birth of The Bab. Concerning the number 9 and its significance in the Baha�i faith. In Arabic each letter of the alphabet has a numerical value. Traditionally in Arabic they calculated a name�s numerical value and occasionally referred to it by that number or wrote a number down by a word that would have that numerical value. The word �Baha� which means glory and is the name that the founder of Baha�i faith has chosen for himself �Baha�u�llah� The Glory of God has the numerical value of 9. For this reason the number 9 is scared in Baha�i faith and can be found in various places. Such as the nine pointed star and the sides of all the Baha�i houses of worship to name a couple.

I wanted to share that The Bab, meaning �The Gate�, was put to death for more than kindness. He appeared in a time of millennial zeal, when people of all faiths, not just Christians, were waiting in great expectation for the �World Redeemer�.
The Bab claimed to be the �Gate� of a whole new age of humanity. He came to sever the ties with past religious traditions and prepare the people for the coming of that �Promised One� who would bring about the �Kingdom of God on Earth�. Didn�t Joseph Smith have a similar mission; to restore the true church in expectation of the return of Christ?
After the Bab was martyred Baha�u�llah, meaning �The Glory of God�, publicly proclaimed that He was that �Promised One�.
Baha�is believe that the �Word of God� has, once again, come to mankind through the Revelation of Baha�u�llah. Though the majority of mankind are unaware, its influence is profound and moving mankind toward a glorious destiny. The guidance has been given and Baha�is around the world are engaged in building the Kingdom of God on Earth � with humility and sincerity - one heart at a time.

Mr. Johnson.......thanks so much for your kind words about your encounter with those young Baha'is in Bolivia so many years ago and the impending Baha'i Holy Day about to be commemorated by Baha'is worldwide (the Birth of the Bab). It always brings joy to my heart when I see people of diverse faiths such as yourself who are secure in their own faith to the point where they can acknowledge the value of other faiths with a kindly tongue and a genuine heart. You obviously have done just that with your article about the Baha'is. Thank you for bringing this special Holy Day to the attention of our readers.
Peace,
Jim Ferguson

Mr. Johnson,
I enjoyed your experience of meeting Baha'is in Bolivia. My first encounter with Baha'is was in Salt Lake City in 1961. It was love at first sight for me and changed my life completely. For me Utah is truly Zion. You mention that Baha'is view Baha'u'llah as Buddhists view Buddha. That is correct to a certain extent, but a greater correlation in my opionion would be to compare our belief in Baha'u'llah to a Christian's belief in Christ. An even more accurate comparison would be to compare belief in Baha'u'llah to the Christian belief in the return of Christ. Now you know why the intensity of love and devotion to Baha'u'llah by those of us who came from a Christian background can be so enduring and life-changing.

Hey, nice article! Just wanted to say that divorce is not "condemned" in the Bah�''� Faith. It isn't good, obviously, but it is allowed after the couple goes through a year of patience in which they see if things can be worked out. :)

It is indeed a joyous day for the world in the 189th anniversary of the birth of the Bab (Gate) in 1819 in Shiraz, signalizing the end of the prophetic Adamic cycle and the beginning of the Baha'i Cycle of Fulfillment. While persecution of Baha'is continues in Iran with the recent imprisonments of the Baha'i administrative committee and denial of education to Baha'is, teaching the new Revelation remains undaunted worldwide. There is even a Baha'i university, Nur, in Bolivia. Check out Almas unidas (united souls) from Bolivian Baha'is on youtube to see the fruits of the labors of your early Baha'i acquaintances! You, too, are a world citizen, and Salt Lake was a wonderful ambassador to the world for the Winter Olympics!

Forty-three years and counting.

Warmly,
Gayle

Mr. Johnson: I loved your story of meeting some Baha'is years ago. If you by chance remember their names, you may find them on "facebook" and if not there you may like to do a search form them on internet. I am sure they would love to hear from YOU ! There is a beautiful documentary called the Green Light Expedition, which would bring back many memories for you should you be able to find a copy of it. best wishes in your endeavors, stephen ader
santa fe, New Mexico.

Excellent article. I had the privilege of meeting several Baha'is in the San Jose, CA area in recent years, studying their religious faith, and I was able to present some fireside-type talks for the local Baha'i community about similarities between their faith and ours. A fun and enlightening experience it was for me, and an example of how - even on a "micro-mini" level, inter-religious appreciation and understanding can be promoted.