Baha’u’llah's principal mission in appearing at this time in human history is the realization of the oneness of mankind and the establishment of peace among the nations; therefore, all the forces which are focused on accomplishing these ends are influenced by His Revelation. We know, however, that peace will come in stages, first, there will come the Lesser Peace, when the unity of nations will be achieved, then gradually the Most Great Peace—the spiritual as well as social and political unity of mankind, when the Baha'i World Commonwealth, operating in strict accordance with the laws and ordinances of the Most Holy Book of the Baha'i Revelation, will have been established through the efforts of the Baha'is.
As to the Lesser Peace, Shoghi Effendi has explained that this will initially be a political unity arrived at by decision of the governments of various nations; it will not be established by direct action of the Baha'i community....
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 31 January 1985 written on behalf
of the Universal House of Justice in response to a question from an individual
believer; included in ‘Attainment of the Unity of Nations and the Lesser
Peace’, a Memorandum from the Research Department of the Baha’i World Center
dated 19 April 2001; US Baha’i National Administrative website)