God Proclaimed by Zion’s Beauties

Photo by Frank Beckwith SCENE FROM LADY MOUNTAIN TRAIL, ZION CANYON GOD PROCLAIMED BY ZION'S BEAUTIES By Nancy Smith Lowe I would that all those who come to this charming spot, this choice place of beauty, might feel the great and overpowering awe which fills my heart, as I stand and gaze at the towering cliffs with their gor- geous and wonderful pictures, with delicate tracery of tree or flower or fern. And that all might be able to hear the message which they whisper to me. My soul rejoices that their name is "Zion." No other name could be so appropriate. And, though we know that this is only a part of Zion, yet it is a wonderful part; which is to do a great work in bringing people from the ends of the earth, to see and learn more of that for which "Zion" stands. I feel that those who gave the place its name were inspired, for, truly, these great structures are something more than mere rock and stone and tree. They are a type of that "Zion" which is to come, with its glory-crowned towers, to which the peoples of the world shall come to bow in humble reverence to its Creator, instead of the creation. God speed the day! And yet they say, "There is no God," These wise ones of the earth; That "Man is naught but common sod, And had but mortal birth." They cannot see, in trees and emerald pool, In fairy grottoes and in shady dells, In towering cliffs and summits heavenly cool, The hand of aught but nature's mystic spells.

450 IMPROVEMENT ERA Who fashioned these great battlements? These rocks and cliffs which tower to the sky? These trees which grow from out the rock's deep clefts, These mighty towers which raise their peaks on high? Did these "just happen," wondrous, great and fair? Did no one paint, or plan, or place them here? Oh! Tell me not that man can fall so far That he can doubt this one great truth so clear — That beauties such as these, so great and grand, Can never come by chance. It is not so That marvels such as these need no great guiding hand To paint and sculpture, plant and cause to grow, Such scenes, so vast and grand, that fills with awe The heart of man who gazes on them still. Then why will not man know and heed the law And bow in humbleness to that great Will? "Zion," with towering peaks and castles grand, With crested turrets raised unto the sky; With pictures painted by an unseen hand In sylvan nook or towering cliff on high; How grand and solemn are thy beauties all! How clear they speak to list'ning heart and mind! The beauty of the mountain streamlet's call, The message carried by the whispering wind! They tell me of angel groups who once did dwell Within these gracious haunts of solitude; Of pictures painted faithfully and well On crag and peak, in flower and rock and wood. Upon "The Great White Throne," there reigns supreme The spirit of this western wilderness; And "Zion," as it means, "The pure in heart," Gives forth this message to the fastnesses: "If ye would feel the beauty of this place, These battlements and caves and turrets grand; These pictures 'blazoned on a thousand rocks, Ye must be pure in heart to understand, The ones whose ears are not attuned to truth Can never hear the Mighty Organ peal, Nor catch the sound of angel minstrelsy, Nor trace the hand which painted here so well. 'Tis not for those who're stained by sin and shame To feel the matchless beauty of these scenes; But those who've kept their hearts and bodies clean May hear sweet music in these mountain streams; May feel the grandeur of each tree, each flower, The paintings on the rocks, the grass, the sod ; And know the still, sweet peace, which, hour by hour. Guides them to paths of usefulness — and God." Sf. George, Utah NANCY SMITH LOWE