---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Alder, Lydia D.
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 17
number: 4
published: 1914-02
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Lydia D. Alder, "It Is Well. A Poem," *Improvement Era* 17, no. 4 (February 1914): 365.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1704unse
  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: improvementera1704unse
start_page: 365
end_page: 365
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1914-02)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1704unse
  publication_year: 1914
  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 1914, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# It Is Well. A Poem

<!-- page:365 -->

JOSEPH SMITH AS EDUCATOR 365
should be removed that he may assume personal responsibility
for the conduct of his life.
This principle of government taught by Joseph Smith is in
harmony with all his other educational principles. The gospel
itself is a "perfect law of liberty." Restraints are not placed upon
men who have the capacity and the desire to do good. They
themselves have a delicate sense of propriety and do not require
artificial and unnatural means to keep them in the line of right
conduct. Joseph Smith understood this. His system of education is both practical and ideal. It regards the whole world as a
university of life. The faithful student in this school is destined
to become, in the best sense of the word, an eminent scholar, and
to be crowned with celestial glory and immortal life.
PROVO, UTAH (THE END)
"It is Well"
(Said to be the last words of George Washington)
"Just there, within the shadows, beyond the billows' swell,
There is the city Golden; O it is well, is well.
My soul is trembling, wavers, but angel voices tell
That joy waits in the city, O it is well, is well.
My God dwells in the city; all earthly things, farewell.
Hold fast my hand, my Father, O it is well, is well."
Columbia, blessings wait thee, though tolls the funeral knell,
The Country's Father leaves thee, yet it is well, is well.
A noble life was ended, whose work strong deeds impel;
A people bowed in sorrow, yet, it is well, is well.
America, grand nation, the land where patriots dwell
Who bought with blood its glory, O it is well, is well.
Thy flag so honor-blazoned, shall Freedom's gift compel,
Long float the Starry Emblem, O it is well, is well.
Do not forget Jehovah; thy songs of praise ne'er quell,
But f.ear the God of Battles, for then it shall be well.
Love Truth, thy standard mighty, and sing through glade and dell,
"One flag floats proudly o'er us; O it is well, is well."
The centuries in passing shall ring on Freedom's bell
"Protection to all people, O it is well, is well."
May this day be remembered, and other days excel;
'Tis great among the greatest, O it is well, is well.
Our Washington we honor, our patriot general,
Revered of all the ages, O it is well, is well.
Lydia D. Alder