Baha’u’llah’s declaration of His mission in the Garden of Ridvan gave new faith to the handful of believers whom he chose to hear this new message. More-

over, it infused the entire gathering in the garden with joy

and life. Even those who were completely unaware of the dec-

laration reported feeling a sense of happiness and joy.

Baha’u’llah spoke out against all forms of tyranny and op- pression. The Ridvan period is also designated as the time when Baha’is around the world elect the democratic institu- tions that will serve them during the coming year.

ha’is have no clergy, so Baha’i communities are governed and directed by democratically- elected bodies of nine people called Assemblies. Elections for Baha’i Local Spiritual Assem- blies (in every locality where Baha’is reside) and National Spiritual Assemblies (in every country) are held each year during the twelve days of Ridvan. Every five years, the Universal House of Justice is elected during this same period.

In gathering to say prayers and silently cast their ballots for the institutions that will help in- spire and guide them through the year, Baha’is symbolically renew their covenant with Ba- ha’u’llah, affirm the Baha’i teachings on freedom of thought, liberty of conscience and right of speech, and redeem that momentous declaration in the Garden of Ridvan, affirming the structure of a living world community established in Baha’u’llah’s name.