--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Harris, Frank W. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 23 number: 7 published: 1920-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Harris, Frank W., "A Bit of Heaven," *Improvement Era* 23, no. 7 (May 1920): 604.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2307unse 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: improvementera2307unse start_page: 604 end_page: 604 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1920-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2307unse publication_year: 1920 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 1920, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # A Bit of Heaven 604 IMPROVEMENT ERA we sought a shady retreat with hanging waterfall, pleasant seats, and walls of red sandstone. That evening the glow sent forth its shady and long-con- tinued enchantments. All down the canyon the precipices donned a garb so peaceful that hate, disappointment, and envy wafted away leaving the soul cleansed and purified. The West Temple was veritably a golden gate. Moonrise enriched the night and guarded the sleeping valley. Little wonder Indians never slept in the canyon. Their elemental natures sensed its immensity and sublimity. Little wonder also that when Brigham Young first saw it he was re- minded of the "Great Zion" on which his thoughts were bent. Only there, was the glory of the Little Zion surpassed. Dellenbaugh, artist for the U. S. Geological Survey, fittingly apostrophizes the West Temple: "Indeed we are at last face to face with the Unattainable; no foot of man has ever touched the summit of its silent shrine, 7,500 feet above the level of the sea, 4,000 feet above the valley. Storm, night, the stars, the sun and moon, the elements, alone hold communion with its pristine crest. Under its shadow we may almost touch the latch-string of eternity; almost see our- selves in the dull mirror of Time." Logan, Utah The three Patriarchs at Twilight A Bit of Heaven By Frank W. Harris A bit of heaven on earth is the association and companionship of kind, lovable characters in the personalities of fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, children and true friends. In the great beyond, I could wish for no greater heaven than this, only that it may be intensified and perpetuated eternally. Berkley, Calif.