--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Smith, D. W. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 20 number: 2 published: 1916-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'D. W. Smith, "Solitude," *Improvement Era* 20, no. 2 (December 1916): 127.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2002unse 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: improvementera2002unse start_page: 127 end_page: 127 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1916-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2002unse publication_year: 1916 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 1916, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Solitude DOING IT WITHOUT PRESSURE 127 not deceive yourselves by the thought that you can quit any time. You may feel assured that such is possible today, but there will come a time when the habit will have such a hold upon you that quitting will be next to impossible. Do not wait till the coming prohibitory law is enacted by the state. Manifest your strength of character by abstaining from all evil habits without the pressure of external force. Be master of yourself and thereby regain your self-respect. Why not, like the state is about to do, enact a prohibition law for yourself? Make it so far-reaching that it will embrace all kinds of evils, and then live up to it! Salt Lake City, Utah Solitude I sat in the twilight; the camp fire burned low; Sunset colors were leaving the sky, And the silvery moon burst from a fleecy white cloud, With one star shining brightly near by. All was peaceful and quiet; no sound could be heard, For 'twas out on a desert most lone, Save the yelp of a coyote, or, near by, The ground owl's occasional moan. No more beautiful sunset e'er gilded the sky Than was fading in darkness away, Yet it seemed the night strove in its calm majesty To outdo e'en the glory of day. What a scene to inspire, yet how lonely and still! One could but reflect on the might Of the Infinite Maker whose powerful hand Had patterned both day and the night. So I sat there and mused of the wonderful grace Which had made life so well worth the while; How e'en in a desert as lone as that was It could change the worst frown to a smile. There is nothing will bring man more near to his God Than communing with nature direct, Where his innermost soul, in the solitude left, Is given a chance to reflect! Forest Dale D. W. Smith.