--- 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, Joseph L. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 10 number: 1 published: 1906-11 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Joseph L. Townsend, "The Chain of Truth: A Poem," *Improvement Era* 10, no. 1 (November 1906): 34.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera101unse 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: improvementera101unse start_page: 34 end_page: 34 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1906-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera101unse publication_year: 1906 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 1906, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Chain of Truth: A Poem 34 IMPROVEMENT ERA. traying the beauties of an upright and godly life — by showing that it paid better to serve God than it did to serve the devil. Fear is the weapon of slaves, love and logic are for freemen, and for intelligent beings. These teachings of the prophet are accepted today by all intelligent teachers. "Mormonism" is taking deeper root in the hearts and minds of men than appears on the surface. Ogden, Utah. THE CHAIN OF TRUTH. (For the Improvement Era.) Beginning in our early youth, All attributes our minds possess There's formed within each mind, Are linked within this chain: Link joined to link, a chain of truth, There's love, and peace, and happiness, Of many strands combined. That holy thoughts attain. These strands comprise all lines of Each link we add, as years roll by, thought Forever is our own, That knowledge brings to view, To aid us rise to realms on high, And one by revelation wrought Where Saints with God enthrone. Has gems of wisdom, too. And there the soul it3 chain expands Bach mind its own bright chain com- In honor and renown, bines. While angels weave the priceless Of links all burnished bright, strands Till, in the eye of faith, it shines In one's immortal crown. A chain of truth and light. Joseph L. Townsbnd. Salt Lake City, Utah.