The Advent of Divine Justice is above all a book about the destiny of America and the means by which that destiny can be ensured. "The North American Baha'is," writes Shoghi Effendi, are "the spiritual descendants of the dawn-breakers" and will play an "active and decisive part" in establishing the federated world commonwealth ordained by Bahá'u'lláh. But to win our heritage we must first acquire and internalize three vital spiritual prerequisites-"moral rectitude," "absolute chastity" and "complete freedom from prejudice" which will contribute to success in every activity of the Faith. Then we must turn our attention to the material aspect of our task - especially to te teaching requirements necessary for "the unfoldment of the subsequent stages in the Divine Plan envisaged by `Abdú'l-Bahá." Shoghi Effendi devotes more than half the book to the hows and whys of teaching, to a practical and inspiring guide that will ensure that America consummates its divinely appointed mission and
Shoghí Effendí Rabbání was the Guardian and appointed head of the Bahá'í Faith from 1921 until his death in 1957. After the death of `Abdu'l-Bahá in 1921, the leadership of the Bahá'í community entered a new phase, evolving from that of a single individual to an administrative order with executive and legislative branches, the head of each being the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice. Shoghi Effendi was referred to as the Guardian, and held the explicit authority to interpret the writings of the three central figures of the religion and define the sphere of legislative authority. His writings are effectively limited to commentaries on the works of the central figures, and broad directives for the future.