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Archival Collection of Talks on Various Bahá'í Subjects

The Importance of Culture in the Development of Native Rural Communities

1988

Ms. Louise LeBlanc spoke about the existence of spirit and it is power. She tells some stories about the mysterious power of the spirit that changed some Native American people's lives. The spirit they call "Yando Goat", which means ability to gather power and go. Native people believe their ancestors guide them and Bahá'u'lláh helps to connect to them. Indian people use stories to give examples of their culture. Today we are dealing with modern day social problems. Many youth fall into troubles. We need to pray for guidance. We can feel spiritual assistance only through prayer. Each community needs to preserve unity if they are to survive. We seek wisdom in when considering the development of an urban community. For her answer to prayer she quotes the “Hidden words of Bahá'u'lláh”: “O, Son of Spirit, I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to poverty? Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Out of the essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I molded thee, how dost thou busy thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting.”