Vision of working together inspires friends from ND to become Baha’is

When three friends committed to becoming members of the worldwide Baha’i community this past summer, it was part of a journey that goes back about a decade in Minot, North Dakota.

And their crucial crossroads was the realization that arguing over politics is a waste of time “when we could be working together for something far greater by becoming Baha’i,” according to a story shared with Baha’i national offices.

Ten years ago, word of mouth led a pair of friends, Jane Bieri and Judy Quill, to take part in regular devotional gatherings at the Knudsen home in Minot. Guests there were encouraged to take an active part, and one evening, after abundant sharing of stories, essays and music, the friends asked, “Teach us about Baha’i!”  

That began their involvement in a long-running study group that has delved into several books and courses exploring the Baha’i teachings on individual spiritual life, society, the Bible and other topics. The past two years Judy’s husband, Coleman (Quilly), has joined them.

When Jane moved out of state, she still participated in the study through internet conferencing. In one recent session she asked a pointed question related to the current U.S. political climate.

“I gave an answer I can’t remember,” Jim Knudsen says. But it was generally about the need to build a spiritually unified world “and not getting sidetracked by political disunity.”

According to emails the Knudsens received the next day, that conversation shifted something in everyone’s minds.

Judy’s message said that instead of going to the gym afterward as planned, she and her husband talked for the first time about becoming members of the Baha’i Faith. He “said he was always OK with it. I had a sense of peace I have not had in years.” After further discussion, she got on the phone for some time with Jane to see how she felt.

The conversation “really struck a chord,” Jane confirmed in her own email. “For a long time I’ve appreciated the Baha’i teachings and found the prayers appealing, but yesterday I felt the emotion and passion I’d been missing.”

Since then all three have been enrolled as Baha’is. “Needless to say,” Jim Knudsen says, “my wife and I are overjoyed!”