His Holiness the Bab was imprisoned. His Holiness Bahá'u'lláh was
imprisoned and even in solitary confinement for considerable time.
Suppose that a guardian became imprisoned for some years. Suppose
even that Shoghi Effendi had traveled to some Nation which opposes the
Bahá'í Faith, and disappeared and nobody knew if he was alive or dead?
Of course these scenarios are hypothetical, however to consider them
is useful in the present circumstances because they serve to emphasize
the fact that nobody has the right to alter a Guardian's instructions
merely because he is not present.
If Shoghi Effendi were in prison and not permitted communication with
Bahá'ís, surely no
Bahá'í believer on Earth nor any group of Bahá'ís would have had the
audacity to commence altering his instructions and decisions...