--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Anderson, Nephi collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 4 number: 4 published: 1901-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Nephi Anderson, "Died in the Field: A Poem," *Improvement Era* 4, no. 4 (February 1901): 266.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0404unse 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: improvementera0404unse start_page: 266 end_page: 266 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1901-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0404unse publication_year: 1901 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 1901, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Died in the Field: A Poem — —— DIED IN THE FIELD. (Suggested on hearing of the death of a young missionary in the field.) "Died in the field !" The news comes flashing o'er The wires, and sends a thrill of sorrow home. Died in the field, the missionary field! Away from home, perchance from wife, and child, From aged mother waiting that her eyes May yet behold his fair and smiling face. Ere they shall clcse in that long sleep of death. Died in the field; died on the battle field! Nor ever wavered from his duty's call; But, at the Master's bidding, girded on The armor of the Lord; and marched in faith To the unselfish service of his God. Firm in the battle's din, he fearless stood; His loins girt 'bout with saving gospel truth; His breastplate was of shining righteousness; The shield of faith was on his strong left arm; The helmet of salvation, on his head; In his right hand, the keen, two-edged sword That cleaves the joints, the marrow penetrates Thus armed, he stood: a stranger to defeat, 'Though 'mid the foe he fell; fighting, he died! Died in the field, God's glorious battle field! What blessed place to die! A spirit much beloved — He must have been, a soldier brave, To have such height of honor granted him. Then comrades, lift his body gently, lift, Bear it home upon his burnished shield. He seems no more, but He who called him hence The Captain and the Lord of battling hosts Will crown him victor,. and adorn his brow With laurels of the everlasting life. Nephi Anderson.