'Abdu'l-Baha Visits the West: May 1912: In Chicago and at Temple Site

'Abdu'l-Baha speaking at Plymouth Congregational Church, Chicago, May 5, 1912

'Abdu'l-Baha addresses the Baha'is gathered at the Temple site, Wilmette, May 1, 1912

'Abdu'l-Baha at dedication of Temple site in Wilmette, Illinois, 1912

Addressing friends at ceremonies on occasion of laying the foundation stone of

the Mother Temple of the West, May 1, 1912

'Abdu'l-Baha addressing the friends

Breaking the ground at the Temple site, each race and nation taking a turn

A souvenir of some soil from the excavation at the Temple site

station of 'Abdu'l-Baha

uniqueness of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit to the West

"Until now it never happened that someone from the East. impelled by the promptings of his conscience, should come to the West to see the friends of God and to associate with respected individuals with such sincere love and friendship and without any political or commercial motive or the desire of sightseeing. It is without precedent and is not recorded in any history. If others have come, it has been to sightsee or for commercial or other reasons"

- 'Abdu'l-Bha (Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha, October 22, 1912, San Francisco, Mahmud's Diary)

“Look at the history of the world and try to find a parallel instance in which a native of the East has come to the countries of the West, particularly America, and called out to them in the churches and meetings there, raised the divine call in many of the large cities and invited everyone to the Abhá Kingdom, with no one taking exception. Nay, on the contrary, those present at the gatherings have heard him with patience and unbounded joy. These things have been achieved solely through the confirmations of the Abhá Kingdom.”

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, September 13, 1912, Chicago, Mahmud’s Diary)