12 See _The Bahá’í World_, vol. XIV (Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1975), pp. 479-481, for history. 13 Shoghi Effendi, _The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh _ (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1991), p. 156. 14 “The outermost circle in this vast system, the visible counterpart of the pivotal position conferred on the Herald of our Faith, is none other than the entire planet. Within the heart of this planet lies the ‘Most Holy Land,’ acclaimed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as ‘the Nest of the Prophets’ and which must be regarded as the center of the world and the Qiblih of the nations. Within this Most Holy Land rises the Mountain of God of immemorial sanctity, the Vineyard of the Lord, the Retreat of Elijah, Whose return the Báb Himself symbolizes. Reposing on the breast of this holy mountain are the extensive properties permanently dedicated to, and constituting the sacred precincts of, the Báb’s holy Sepulcher. In the midst of these properties, recognized as the international endowments of the Faith, is situated the most holy court, an enclosure comprising gardens and terraces which at once embellish, and lend a peculiar charm to, these sacred precincts. Embosomed in these lovely and verdant surroundings stands in all its exquisite beauty the mausoleum of the Báb, the shell designed to preserve and adorn the original structure raised by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the tomb of the Martyr-Herald of our Faith. Within this shell is enshrined that Pearl of Great Price, the holy of holies, those chambers which constitute the tomb itself, and which were constructed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Within the heart of this holy of holies is the tabernacle, the vault wherein reposes the most holy casket. Within this vault rests the alabaster sarcophagus in which is deposited that inestimable jewel, the Báb’s holy dust.” Shoghi Effendi, _Citadel of Faith_ (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1995), pp. 95-96. _ 15 ibid._, p. 95. 16 Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_ (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1995), p. 276. 17 H. M. Balyuzi, _‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Centre of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh_, 2nd ed. (Oxford: George Ronald, 1992), p. 136. _ 18 Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá_, _op. cit._, pp. 254-255, (section 200.3). 19 Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_, _op. cit._, p. 258. _ 20 ibid._, p. 259. _ 21 The Bahá’í Centenary, 1844-1944_, compiled by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 1944), pp. 140-141. 22 Shoghi Effendi, _God Passes By_, _op. cit._, p. 280. 23 ‘_Abdu’l-Bahá in London: Addresses and Notes of Conversations_ (London: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982), pp. 19-20.