---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 2
number: 11
published: 1899-09
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "God Knoweth Best, a Poem," *Improvement Era* 2, no. 11 (September 1899): 829–830.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera211unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera211unse
start_page: 829
end_page: 830
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1899-09)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera211unse
  publication_year: 1899
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1899, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# God Knoweth Best, a Poem

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GOD KNOWETH BEST.

             Some time, when all life's lessons have been learned.
               And sun and stars for evermore have set,
             The things which our weak judgments here have spurned-
               The things o'er which we grieved with lashes wet
             Will flash before us out of life's dark night,
               As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue;
             And we shall see how all God's plans were right.
               And how what seemed reproof was love most true.

     * Book of Mormon, Alma 13: 3.

<!-- page:830 -->

830                    IMPROVEMENT ERA.
      And we shall see how, while we frown and sigh,
        God's plans go on as best for you and me;
      How, when we called, he heeded not our cry,
        Because his wisdom to the end could see.
      And even as prudent parents disallow
         Too much of sweet to craving babyhood.
      So, God perhaps is keeping from us now
        Life's sweetest things because it seemeth good.

      And if, sometimes, commingled with life's wine.
        We find the wormwood and rebel and shrink,
      Be sure a wiser hand than yours or mine
        Pours out this potion for our lips to drink.
      And if some friend we love is lying low,
        Where human kisses cannot reach his face,
        do not blame his loving Father so.
        But wear your sorrow with obedient grace!

      And you shall shortly know that lengthened breath
        Is not the sweetest gift God sends his friends,

      And that, sometimes, the sable pall of death
         Conceals the fairest boon his love can send.
      If we could push ajar the gates of life.
        And stand within and all God's workings see,
      We could interpret all this doubt and strife,
         And for each mystery could find a key.

      But not today.  Then be content poor heart!
       God's plans, like lilies, pure and white, unfold.
      We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart.
        Time will reveal the calyxes of gold.
      And if through patient toil we reach the land
        Where tired feet with sandals loose may rest,
      When we shall clearly know and understand,
        I think that we will say, "God knew the best."

                                             — Saturday    Globe.