“The Báb has told us to bury the dead in silk (if possible) in coffins of crystal. Why? Because the body, though now dust, was once exalted by the immortal soul of man! The portrait of the Báb should be regarded as an inestimable privilege and blessing to behold, as past generations were denied a glimpse of the Face of the Manifestation, once He had passed on.” “The atoms of the Prophets are just atoms, like all others, but the association of this great spiritual power with them leaves in the place they are laid to rest a spiritual atmosphere, if one can use this expression. They are, no doubt, endowed with a tremendous spiritual influence and far-reaching power. But the physical character of their atoms are not different from other people’s, any more than their bodies and physical functions are different.” 116: MANIFESTATIONS (STATION OF) “The Manifestations no doubt had some consciousness of their station, but what the nature of that consciousness was we do not know.” 117: MARRIAGE, BAHÁ’Í “In regard to your question concerning the nature and character of Bahá’í marriage. As you have rightly stated, such a Marriage is conditioned upon the full approval of all four parents. Also your statement to the effect that the principle of the oneness of mankind prevents any true Bahá’í from regarding race itself as a bar to union is in complete accord with the Teachings of the Faith on this point. For both Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá never disapproved of the idea of interracial marriage, nor discouraged it. The Bahá’í Teachings, indeed, by their very nature transcend all limitations imposed by race, and as such can and should never be identified with any particular school of racial philosophy.” 118: MARRIAGE, BAHÁ’Í (CONSENT OF PARENTS--DUTY OF ASSEMBLY TO ASCERTAIN VALIDITY) “With reference to the matter of the consent of the parents to a Bahá’í marriage: As this is a vital binding obligation, it is the duty of the Assemblies to ascertain, before giving their sanction, that the consent obtained has been given freely by the parents themselves.” 119: MARRIAGE--(CONSENT OF PARENTS--NON-BAHÁ’Í PARTICIPANTS) “Regarding the question whether it is necessary to obtain the consent of the parents of a non-Bahá’í participant in a marriage with a Bahá’í; as Bahá’u’lláh has stated that the consent of the parents of both parties is required in order to promote unity and avoid friction, and as the Aqdas does not specify any exceptions to this rule, the Guardian feels that under all circumstances the consent of the parents of both parties is required.” 120: MARRIAGE TO NON-BAHÁ’Í “The general principle in regard to the marriage of a Bahá’í to a non-Bahá’í is as follows: