The term Adam-ondi-Ahman was introduced into Latter-day Saint vocabulary by a revelation that stated that God had “established the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman.” A revelation of ca. April 1835 explicitly applied the term to a place, “the valley of Adam-...
View GlossaryJS taught that Adam-ondi-Ahman was where Adam and Eve lived after their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. JS organized a stake at Adam-ondi-Ahman on 28 June 1838. (See Minutes, 28 June 1838.)
Flows from current state of Iowa approximately 225 miles southeast through Daviess and Livingston counties in Missouri en route to its mouth at Missouri River near De Witt, Missouri. Adam-ondi-Ahman, Far West, Hawn’s Mill, Whitney’s Mill, Myers settlement...
More InfoLocated on bluffs north of Missouri River, about six miles above mouth of Grand River. Permanently settled, by 1826. Laid out, 1836. First called Elderport; name changed to De Witt, 1837, when town acquired by speculators David Thomas and Henry Root, who ...
More InfoAlthough JS identified De Witt as a stake in this letter, it is unknown whether a stake was ever formally organized there. A month after this letter was written, Latter-day Saint Albert P. Rockwood wrote that “De Witt was not an appointed stake of Zion.” (See Rockwood, Journal, 14 Oct. 1838; see also Reed Peck, Quincy, IL, to “Dear Friends,” 18 Sept. 1839, pp. 20–21, Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.)
Rockwood, Albert Perry. Journal Entries, Oct. 1838–Jan. 1839. Photocopy. CHL. MS 2606.
Peck, Reed. Letter, Quincy, IL, to “Dear Friends,” 18 Sept. 1839. Huntington Library, San Marino, CA.
Plans for Far West included temple on central block. Latter-day Saints in Caldwell Co. made preparations for construction and commenced excavating for foundation, 3 July 1837. However, while visiting Latter-day Saints in Far West, 6 Nov. 1837, JS gave instructions...
More InfoPost may have asked about the construction of a House of the Lord in Missouri because of his noteworthy experience during the 1836 dedication of the House of the Lord in Kirtland. In his journal, Post described his experience as a “pentecost” like that described in Acts, chapter 2, of the New Testament. Post wrote, “Angels of God came into the room, cloven tongues rested upon some of the servants of the Lord like unto fire, & they spake with tongues & prophesied.” (Post, Journal, 27–31 Mar. 1836.)
Post, Stephen. Journals, 1835–1879. Stephen Post, Papers, 1835–1921. CHL. MS 1304, box 6.
The Saints commenced work on the cellar in summer 1837. They continued until November, when JS directed church members to cease constructing the House of the Lord. A revelation on 26 April 1838 instructed the Saints to resume construction, and on 4 July 1838 JS presided over the dedication of the cornerstones. (Letter from William W. Phelps, 7 July 1837; Minutes, 6 Nov. 1837; Revelation, 26 Apr. 1838 [D&C 115:8]; “Celebration of the 4th of July,” Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, 60.)
As directed by early revelations, church members “gathered” in communities. A revelation dated September 1830, for instance, instructed elders “to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect” who would “be gathered in unto one place, upon the face of this land...
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