In June 1968 the Institution of the Continental Boards of
Counselors was brought into being, fulfilling the goal of extending the
aforementioned functions of the Hands into the future, and this momentous
decision was accompanied by the next step in the development of the Institution
of the Hands of the Cause: the continental Hands were to serve henceforth on a
worldwide basis and operate individually in direct relationship to the
Universal House of Justice; the Hands ceased to be responsible for the
direction of the Auxiliary Boards, which became an auxiliary institution of the
Continental Boards of Counselors; the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy
Land were given the task of acting as liaison between the Universal House of
Justice and the Boards of Counselors; and the working interrelationships between
the Hands and the Boards of Counselors were established. Reference was also
made to the future establishment by the Universal House of Justice, with the
assistance of the Hands residing in the Holy Land, of an international teaching
center in the Holy Land.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a message dated 24
April 1972; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973’)