But as to the most characteristic and specific Teaching which belongs to the Revelation of Baha’u’llah, which is new and not given by any of the Prophets of the past: it is the Teaching regarding the Center of the Covenant. To guard against all manner of differences, Baha’u’llah entered into a Covenant with all the people of the world, indicating the Person of the Interpreter of His Teachings. Be ye cognizant of this!
The world had, through rotten, outdated and blind imitations of truth, become like unto a dark night. The foundations of the Teachings of God had been totally forgotten. People had adhered to the shell and neglected the kernel. The nations, like wornout garments, had fallen into pitiful decay. –Abdul Baha
Reform Bahai Faith http://reformbahai.org
Abdu’l-Baha’s 1912 Authentic Covenant
http://www.reformbahai.org/Covenant.html
An Analysis of Abdul-Baha’s 1912 Authentic Covenant
http://www.reformbahai.org/Covenant_comments.html