Institutions
“Every institution of this Divinely created Order is one more refuge for a distraught populace…” – Universal House of Justice, Lights of Guidance, p. 327
Early Local Spiritual Assemblies

Help us identify early Assembly members in these photos…
Regional Baha’i Councils

Bahaipedia article on establishment of Regional Baha’i Councils.
Cedar Rapids Sends Delegate to National Convention 1948

Article on attendees to national Convention, Cedar Rapids Gazette, April 27, 1948
NSA Honors Departed Friends

Sample letters from our National Spiritual Assembly
Des Moines LSA Addresses Persecution of Iranian Baha’is

Letter to the Editor, Des Moines Tribune, June 6, 1955
Delegates Selected for National Convention 1957

From the Des Moines Register, December 3, 1956
Cedar Rapids LSA at Celebration of 35th Anniversary, 1978

Back row left to right: Bob Findlay, Diane Findlay, Todd Snell, Jim Siegling. Front row: Cathy Smith, Rose Snell, Frank Pourahmadi, Wendy Schamberger, Edna Wilson
Javidukht Khadem, Auxiliary Board Member

Javidukht Khadem (1913–2007) served as an Auxiliary Board Member for Iowa for a number of years…
Fist Fairfield LSA, 1981

Left to right: Keith Davis, Karen Noonan, Bill Groetzinger, Barbara Ullrich, Roger Maurice, Nancy Gibson, Bob McIlvride, Susan Morris, Chris Gentsch
First Sioux City LSA by Marie Scheffer

By December 1978 there were nine adult believers with administrative rights…
Mark Scheffer and the Baha’i International Community by Diane Findlay

In 2010, Mark Scheffer began to work as a volunteer collaborator…
Iowans Serve on Regional Baha’i Council

Since the Regional Baha’i Council for the Prairie States was formed in 2012…
Former Iowa Baha’is serve on National Spiritual Assemblies

Several Iowa Baha’is went on to pioneer internationally and serve on National Spiritual Assemblies…
Historic Conference in Kansas City, March 2025

First conference for Assistants in the Prairie States Region…
Greetings from National Convention 2001!

from our delegate, Becky Jensen
First Johnson County LSA, Ridvan1975

At the home of Joanne & Burt Marion…
Unit Convention in Des Moines, 2001

Photo and agenda, exact location unknown
Letter from the Iowa District Teaching Committee, 1975

Dear Baha’i group member or isolated believer…
Iowa District Teaching Committee Newsletters from 1975, 1976, 1984

“The most powerful and effective medium that has been found so far… is the fireside meeting.”
Eastern Iowa District Teaching Committee Newsletter from 1973, 1974, 1974

“The source of all good is trust in God…”
Iowa City LSA Goals 1976

This letter introduces and itemizes goals for the Iowa City community.