Beyond the Enchanted Ground lay the Land of Beulah. Its flowers were fragrant too, but its wind made people feel awake. In the gardens, some planted trees, some cared for the sick, and others repaired shoes for travelers from far away. They sang as they worked. Nobody was made to stand outside for having dirty clothes.
Chris and Hopeful climbed to higher ground and saw the Celestial City shining in the distance. A river lay below. Its water made little noise as it flowed, but it made them want to stop and look. Chris asked what river it was.
A messenger told them it was the River of Death. One day, travelers in this world would come to it, and the King of the Celestial City would welcome those who belonged to him. Chris thought of Faithful and stood a long time, his eyes slowly reddening.
“I still want to go back for my family,” he said.
“Your road today has not yet reached that river,” the messenger answered. “The city ahead shows you where your final home is. But there are things you must do now.”
Something tight inside Chris loosened a little. He had thought he must either rescue his family first or go alone to somewhere far away. He had not imagined that after seeing his home ahead, he could return with hope and show the way to those left behind.
The messenger took him to the person who managed the letters coming and going. Two records on the table showed that his letters had reached home. His mother had received the first. The second had been given to his father, who, after reading it, asked the carrier to bring back a message: All is well at home. Do not worry.
At first Chris was delighted. Then he noticed another report below it. A letter carrier outside the City of Destruction had seen several walls collapse and cracks in the ground growing wider. The people were still preparing their next party.
“Dad said everything was all right,” Chris said quietly.
The carrier did not decide for him. He simply described clearly what he had seen. “You can go back and look for yourself. Ask people who can really help to come with you.”
Chris asked whether there was a medicine that would wake them immediately. The messenger showed him the people in the garden. A worker who had done wrong was apologizing to a companion, and they were discussing how to repair a damaged door. Nearby, someone grieving sat with another person quietly beside him.
“The Savior’s forgiveness and love help people dare to face who they really are,” the messenger said. “You can take that news home. But you cannot make your parents’ choice for them by giving them a bottle of medicine.”
Chris watched those people and slowly nodded. Along with the map, he would bring home help that listened, admitted mistakes, and did not abandon others when things grew hard.
The messenger arranged a grain wagon and contacted the shepherds on the Delectable Mountains and the lodgings along the road. Hopeful wanted to go too, and take news to his uncle. Before leaving, the boys looked toward the Celestial City once more. Chris touched the key called Promise, turned, and started toward the City of Destruction.
