--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Townsend, J. L. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 8 number: 6 published: 1905-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'J. L. Townsend, "A Desert Flower," *Improvement Era* 8, no. 6 (April 1905): 429–430.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0806unse 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: improvementera0806unse start_page: 429 end_page: 430 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1905-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0806unse publication_year: 1905 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 1905, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # A Desert Flower A DESERT FLOWER. 429 alone,it generates a frost which chills the soul; the will of itself is reckless and foolhardy and cannot be trusted; but when love unites the two, then there is strength and beauty, efficiency and har. mony, and love is allotted her rightful place—queen of the soul's household. The conclusion is therefore inevitable, that if intelligent, loving parents rear their child so that harmony is maintained in his developing consciousness, and due regard is had for justice and love, the child cannot fail to become an intelligent, active, loving, person, an honor to his parents, to himself, and to his Creator. Logan, Utah. THE END. A DESERT FLOWER. (For the Improvement Era.) All life has language of its own When earnestly we seek; The inmost thoughts of life are known When heart to heart we speak! This little wild flower at my feet, With bright and fragrant cheer, One little spot has made more sweet By humbly growing here. Though modest and unknown to fame Here on its desert mould, The poet in his rambles came To learn its heart of gold. And heart to heart it whispered true, So well I understand What nature brings within my view And hearing in the land,— 430 IMPROVEMENT ERA. The little tale of simple worth That I have written here, That e'en the soul of humblest birth May gain from it some oheer: "For many a century my race Has looked up at the sky, To grow and bloom in beauty's grace, To cast its seed and die. "And with recurring seasons here, We face the golden sun, To never fail from year to year In duty ably done. "For my Creator gave me one— One only thing to do— And when his labor I have done My task in life is through. "I cannot be the butterfly That visits oft my bower, I cannot like the bee descry The nectar of the flower. "Yet I am what his hand made me, Contented here to stay: The good Lord can all things foresee, He planned for me my way!" Sweet flower, thy lesson I recall, To set my heart at rest: The good Lord ruleth over all, His way is always best! And though my lot in life is cast As humbly as thine own, 'Tis well! Life's span will soon be passed, Its purpose fully known! J L. Townsend. Fayson, Utah.