The Beauty of Nature
From the diary of Anne Frank, we read: “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be amidst the simple beauty of nature.”1
It is true. When we see things of beauty, especially the beauty in nature, we are uplifted and inspired at seeing and being a part of its wonder. Wordsworth said, “My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky.”2
“A thing of beauty is joy forever; Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness; … “3 When John Keats wrote his narrative poem about the Greek myth of Endymion, he indicated he wrote of beauty because our souls are “continually uplifted by ‘Some shape of beauty.’ “4
The beauty of nature is all around us, but what is needed is a keener awareness of it on our part. We are told, “Look for a lovely thing and you will find it.”5 And when we do find it, we will also find that our spirit has been lifted because of it.
Now, we should not only seek to appreciate the beauty of nature, but we should also seek to protect and preserve it. After making this planet our home for thousands of years we are just now beginning to realize the importance of keeping our environment beautiful so that it will be a “joy forever.” That is not an easy thing to do. Mother Nature is the master architect and there are few instances when man can improve upon her work. Most things in life that are offensive are fashioned by man. But if we are to preserve and enjoy natural beauty there must be a universal effort to do so.
Nature was created for man. ” … the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.”6 But like every thing else that has been created, over which man has dominion, it must not be abused, or it will no longer be of any value. This earth of ours is indeed a place of beauty. Let us notice it, appreciate it, and then if we do, we will also sincerely do what we can to preserve it.
“That the sky is brighter than the earth means little unless the earth itself is appreciated and enjoyed.”7
1Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
2William Wordsworth, My Heart Leaps Up
3John Keats, Endymion, Bk. i
4Attributed to John Keats, as quoted in Magill‘s Quotations in Context
5Sara Teasdale, Night
6Book of Mormon, I Nephi 17:36
7Helen Keller, My Religion
April 30, 1972
Broadcast Number 2,223