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 Referred to by Shoghi Effendi as “this great Silent Teacher of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh”, the Mother Temple of the West is attracting all of humanity to its doors.
Each month, more than 10,000 people visit the Temple, and less than 10 percent of them are Bahá’ís. In 2005, 31 individuals declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh on the Temple’s grounds -- an increase since 1999.
It’s no wonder! With an ever-increasing amount of attention being paid to the Temple with the restoration efforts supported through the Kingdom Project as well as many new believers responding to teaching initiatives of the Five Year Plan, the significant role of the House of Worship is becoming more apparent.
The tremendous anxiety rampant worldwide cannot be alleviated by anything other than the tenets and prescriptions of the Bahá’í Faith. The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is the physical representation of Bahá'u'lláh’s Teachings, the institution that “can most adequately provide the essentials of Bahá'í worship and service, both so vital to the regeneration of the world.”
With the continued support of our national Bahá’í community to ensure the success of the Kingdom Project and completion of the Temple restoration efforts, teaching, worship, and service will continue to be reinvigorated and expanded for current and future generations!
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 Scott Conrad speaks at a local bookstore about the House of Worship
The Mother Temple’s refreshing popularity is alive in Chicago, in particular. Articles in the Chicago Tribune highlighted the Temple as a favorite local destination, segments about its history are shown regularly on PBS, and, most recently, a lecture about the Temple educated the patrons of a local independent bookstore, Transitions Bookplace in Chicago.
Scott Conrad, project manager for the Temple restoration efforts of the Kingdom Project, spoke on August 31 about the architectural significance and sacred nature of the House of Worship. His presentation was the first in a series of monthly talks about the Baha’i Faith and its teachings to be given at this nationally known bookshop. The speaker series was requested by Transitions to compliment events at the store with “Bahá'í Publishing” authors. The speaker series and author events are held on different dates.
Known for his unique brand of wit and spirited storytelling, Scott was the perfect teacher for a full audience of seekers, Bahá’ís, and passers-by. His engaging stories were illustrated by an eclectic and all-encompassing slideshow of historical figures, art, architecture, gardens, and interiors—not only of the Temple in Wilmette, but also Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition, Bahá'í holy places in Haifa, and plans for the new Temple in Chile.
With Scott steering the vehicle of architecture and history, audience members traveled the basic principles of the Faith and explored the meaning of “sacred space.”
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 A beautiful photo album of the recent restoration work is now available for viewing. The photos, taken by a young adult from Evanston, IL, are part of the summer 2007 issue of FUNDamentals, the young adult e-zine produced by the Office of the Treasurer.
Click here to enjoy the House of Worship restoration photo album.
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 "I am returning home today with my heart full of happiness and a new sense of confidence as a Bahá’í,” said one participant who attended the recent Kingdom Project Special Visit Program for the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh. This program -- attended by a randomly selected group of one hundred believers from across the country who have pledged to the Project -- acknowledges the generous and sacrificial support of the American Bahá’í community for the Kingdom Project.
The day began joyously with a welcome from National Treasurer, William Roberts. Visitors enjoyed a moving and informative tour of the Temple restoration site, and partook of a truly memorable lunch with National Spiritual Assembly members, Ken Bowers and William Roberts.
Many friends shared their thoughts and feelings about the day and the meaning the Temple has held in their lives. One of the friends shared, “The tour of our House of Worship gave a renewed appreciation of the monumental task the dear staff has to maintain and preserve it, and we are so proud and blessed to know and see how and where any efforts made on our part are helping to fulfill its great destiny.”
The friends also shared a renewed commitment to supporting the Kingdom Project and bringing back to their communities news of both the significant accomplishments and the continuing needs of the Project, including completion of the Temple restoration efforts and the building of the new Visitors Center.
The Holy Day program concluded with a special viewing of some of the holy relics of Bahá'u'lláh in the Temple’s Foundation Hall, a very precious treat for everyone who attended.
The National Spiritual Assembly is deeply grateful for the tremendous support of the Kingdom Project by the friends and institutions to restore and maintain the beloved Mother Temple of the West. We hope that everyone had a wonderful Birth of Bahá’u’lláh!
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