--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Ostler, Mary R. E. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 24 number: 10 published: 1921-08 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Mary R. E. Ostler, "The Story That’s True," *Improvement Era* 24, no. 10 (August 1921): 935–936.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera24010unse 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: improvementera24010unse start_page: 935 end_page: 936 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1921-08) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera24010unse publication_year: 1921 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 1921, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Story That’s True The Story that's J True This poem refers particularly to the 19th Ward, Salt Lake stake, in which stake there are at present 12 wards Come and travel with me to the peaks And we'll view all this valley around; Of these beautiful hills on the east, Let us go on a sight-seeing feast. On the north lie the green, fertile farms, To the south are homes of the blest; From the east flow the clear, sparkling streams, While Lake Bonneville sleeps in the west. Have you noticed this wonderful place? No two stones on these hills are the same; Feel the strength in the sunflow'rs that bloom, And the power of sunshine and rain. See the gravel, the rocks, and the sand, See the lime and water so warm; O the skill in the hands of that One Who from chaos all beauty did form. O the joy and the wonder of earth, And the freedom that Nature can give, If we'll only reach out and partake! O what rapture to really live! When we climb to the summit, we'll stand 'Neath the marvelous canopy blue, And we'll sit on the rocks while we rest, Then, I'll tell you a story that's true. It was summer and not long ago, Just in years about three score and ten; O'er these hills came an army, unarmed, It was women, and children, and men. Though unarmed with equipments of war, And not marching to battlefields' strife, In the cause of eternal advance They were soldiers enlisted for life. From fair homes in the East they had come To this valley of sagebrush and sand; A choice people brought out from the world, And led hither by God's gracious hand. By these hills a small company paused To give thanks, and to rest from all strife: Then, as mariners sail on the sea, They embarked on the ocean of life. Like Columbus they sailed ever west, And his motto they kept well in mind: "We'll sail on, and sail on, and sail on!" And they sailed on to better mankind. 936 IMPROVEMENT ERA They increased and they prospered and grew, They waxed stronger in faith and in love; Always guided by men who received Inspiration from heaven above. Each one thought of his neighbor and friend, Always trying a good turn to do; Thoughts of self were the last and the least; They were leaders most noble and true. Little settlements dotted the path Of the army that fought without guns. Till, like Jacob of old, it was blessed With a fam'ly of twelve noble sons. O the mission these soldiers did fill! And the service they rendered to man! As they toiled by the sweat of their brow, They but furthered our God's gracious plan. They converted this dry, barren waste To an Eden where pure honey flows; E'en the course of the waters they turned, Made the desert to bloom as a rose. Still they sailed until far out at sea, Braved the tempest and billows of life; At mid-ocean they heard "S. O. S!" And the beat of the drum, and the fife. 'Twas a wireless call of distress, And it came o'er the waves as with wings: "Dogs of war are unleashed on the earth, By command, and the order of kings!" In the distance they saw fire and blood, Heard the cry of their fathers, their sons, Saw the sorrow, the suffring and death, Heard the roar of the thundering guns. Giving heed to the call of their flag, They reached out with a kind, helping hand; They enlisted, and fought, and some died On the soil of a far away land. When the dark clouds of war fell away There was peace for a time, but not long, For a scourge as it swept o'er the earth Seemed a vengeance for sin and for wrong. Stricken down by the grim reaper, Death, Many sleep in the tear-watered sod, But in Zion this brave little band Is undaunted, and faith keeps with God. Through the famine and sickness and strife They are seeking the harbor to make; The good sire is the old Nineteenth Ward And his sons are our own Salt Lake Stake. Let us sail! let us sail! o'er Life's sea With the very same Captain and crew Till we anchor in Heaven's great port, Still remem'bring the story that's true. Mary R. E. Ostler