--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 26 number: 8 published: 1923-06 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "The Greatest Gift", *Improvement Era* 26, no. 8 (June 1923): 677.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2608unse 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: improvementera2608unse start_page: 677 end_page: 677 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1923-06) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2608unse publication_year: 1923 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 1923, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Greatest Gift /? The Greatest Gift I once beheld, or was it but a dream, The things of which I fain would speak? The beauty and the grandeur of the scene Dazed me, its glory made me weak; Have angels wrought the glory I behold? What is this light, as if 'twere fire? Then I, in answer to my thoughts, was told: The realms of Satisfied Desire. I gazed upon the restless, passing throng, And knew that none could enter there, But those whose hearts and souls had known no wrong. And many turned in black despair; But one, a maid in innocence of youth, Came near that. golden throne of grace; Her heart had known but beauty, love and truth; The gift of virtue lit her face. "Take these," said one, "the queen of wealth am I; Adorn in jewels, rich and rare; And grace thyself in silken robes, but why Withdraw? There ne'er was one more fair. With wealth thy ev'ry wish shall be a law, In beauty shine both far and near; Accept of these, the rarest gifts of all." The maid replied, "It is not here." "Take this," cried one, "the priceless gift of fame; Fair maid, canst thou desire aught more? Kingdoms and nations shall applaud thy name, Thy name recounted o'er and o'er, Come then, why wait? Give heed to fortune's call, 'Tis thine while life doth last, why fear? I give to you the grandest gift of all." i She turned and sighed, "It is not here." "Take these," again the solemn words were heard ; How turn from voice so filled with love? She waited now to hear the thrilling] words As if 'twere message from above; "Take these, if thou canst pay the noble price, Eternal joy thy lot shall be; But thou must learn to gladly sacrifice, And fill thine heart with charity." "But sorrow thou shalt know, ana sometimes pain; And poverty may seek thy door, But multitudes will rise to bless thy name, Great love be thine, forevermore." A wondrous light upon her face did shine, All doubt was gone, she understood; "I do accept with joy thy gift divine, The greatest gift; 'tis Motherhood." Cleveland, Utah Kate C. Richards