Adam-Ondi-Ahman
by Becky Cardon Smith
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On May 8th 1838, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation near Wight’s Ferry at a place called Spring Hill in Daviess County. In his words, “In the afternoon I went up the river about half a mile to Wight’s Ferry, accompanied by President Rigdon and my clerk, George W. Robinson, for the purpose of selecting and laying claim to a city plat near said ferry in Daviess County,...which the brethren called Spring Hill, but by the mouth of the Lord it was named Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said He, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the Prophet” (HC 3:35; D&C 116). This was not the first time that the name “Adam-ondi-Ahman” had appeared in the scriptures. In D&C 78:15, it was revealed that Michael (Adam) serves under the Holy One (Christ), who has established the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman.

A song entitled “Adam-ondi-Ahman” was written by W.W. Phelps and sung at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple (HC 2:417). It was a favorite hymn of the pioneers. For the early Saints, as for us today, this is truly a sacred spot. Walking here is walking on “hallowed ground.”

PLANNING YOUR TIME

Time spent here depends on you. To drive through the area takes a few minutes, but to really feel its importance you need to walk around, read from your scriptures and other suggested readings, and discuss the importance of this sacred area. Restrooms and picnic tables are available.

HISTORY OF ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN

As explained in the history of Far West, Alexander Doniphan was instrumental in creating two new counties for the Saints who were obliged to move on after their temporary stay in Clay County. One was Caldwell County, which the Saints developed, and the other was Daviess County. The county seat of Daviess County was Gallatin. While the majority of the Saints settled in the “Mormon County” of Caldwell, a few of the Saints also settled in Daviess. One of those early settlers was Lyman Wight. He purchased a farm in February 1838, and operated a ferry on the Grand River. In May, while visiting Brother Wight, Joseph received the revelation that Spring Hill was actually Adam-ondi-Ahman.

The Prophet offers a description of this area in HC 3:39. “Adam-ondi-Ahman is located immediately on the north side of Grand River, in Daviess County, Missouri, about twenty-five miles north of Far West. It is situated on an elevated spot of ground, which renders the place as healthful as any part of the United States, and overlooking the river and the country round about, it is certainly a beautiful location.”

Throughout the summer of 1838, the town continued to grow. On June 16, the Prophet mentions, “my uncle, John Smith, and family, with six other families, arrived in Far West, all in good health and spirits. I counseled them to settle at Adam-ondi-Ahman” (HC 3:38). On June 28, a stake was organized here. The meetings were held in a grove of trees near the home of Brother Wight. John Smith was sustained as President of the Adam-ondi-Ahman Stake, with Reynolds Cahoon and Lyman Wight serving as counselors.

Adam-ondi-Ahman continued to grow as Church members from other parts of the country continued to pour in. On July 28, the Prophet mentioned that he went to help some brethren from Canada settle into the area (HC 3:48). Over 200 wagons arrived that day. Also in July, over 600 Saints left Kirtland, heading for Missouri. After traveling for three months, they arrived in Far West. On the following day, the Prophet counseled them to continue on to Adam-ondi-Ahman. Finally arriving at their new home in early October, they were forced to flee in November.

The town was growing with over 1,500 settlers busily constructing new homes. Brigham Young dedicated a temple site here. But hopes of permanency were fleeting. Within a short time, hostilities in the area increased and many in small communities sought shelter here. On October 18, mobs attacked one community forcing many women and children out into a snowstorm. One of those forced to flee to Adam-ondi-Ahman was Agnes Smith, married to the Prophet’s brother Don Carlos. He was serving a mission in Tennessee when the mobs attacked. Agnes, her home having been plundered and burned, was forced to flee with two babies in her arms. She carried them nearly three miles in the cold, and waded through the icy water of the Grand River (HC 3: 163).

As the situation went from bad to worse, the Saints in Daviess County were forced to flee to Caldwell County. Increased mob activity was threatening those now in Adam-ondi- Ahman. Benjamin Johnson, only 20 years old, was threatened that if he didn’t give up his religion, he would be shot. Benjamin refused and the attacker pulled the trigger of his gun. It failed to go off. The attacker tried it two more times with the same result. On the fourth try, the gun exploded, killing the attacker (Our Heritage p. 49).

Though Church members had some unhappy experiences at Adam-ondi-Ahman, they also had many happy and light-hearted moments. Edward Stevenson wrote about one of these happier experiences in his autobiography. He records, “In Missouri, when mob forces oppressed the Saints, we were encamped in Adam-ondi-Ahman, mostly around campfires without tents. One night the snow fell four or five inches. The Prophet, seeing our forlorn condition, called on us to form into two parties – Lyman Wight at the head of one line and he (Joseph) heading the other line – to have a sham battle. The weapons were snowballs. We set to with a will full of glee and fun.”

On November 2, 1838, General Lucas sent orders to disarm the Mormons at Adam-ondi-Ahman. By the middle of November, the majority of Saints had departed leaving their homes and many of their possessions behind. The weather was cold and their flight to Far West was difficult. It wasn’t long before the final exodus from Missouri to Illinois would begin.

WHAT TO DO

• The gates at Adam-ondi-Ahman are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to dusk. As you enter, you will notice a large sign on your left. It makes a wonderful backdrop for a family picture. Turning left takes you to the picnic tables, restrooms, and the valley overlook. It is a wonderful area to read, reflect, ponder, and discuss the past and future significance of this area. Turning right takes you to Spring Hill, and on to Tower Hill.

• Walk around Tower Hill, which is located to the east of Spring Hill. The Prophet Joseph Smith, in reference to the name of this area, recorded that it was, “a name I gave the place in consequence of the remains of an old Nephite altar or tower that stood there” (HC 3:35). Lyman Wight had a cabin located at the foot of Tower Hill.

• Read from The Millennial Messiah by Bruce R. McConkie, pages 578-588. From these pages, you will better understand the significance of this area. You will more fully realize what Brother McConkie meant when he stated, “Sacred indeed is the whole region for what has taken place and what will take place in its environs” (The Millennial Messiah p 588).

• Read D&C 116. This section is very short. After having read it, read the scriptures that are cross-referenced at the bottom of the page.

• Read from Joseph Smith’s account. There are several references to Adam-ondi-Ahman in History of the Church by Joseph Smith. You may want to copy several of the pages and bring them with you to include in your discussion. Suggested is HC 3:34-40.

• Sing “Adam-ondi-Ahman” found on page 49 in the Church Hymnal. If you are not up to singing, read the words. They are beautiful.

• There are several signs located at specific areas. These signs offer more detailed information. You will also see several maps located near the restrooms and in other areas. They will better help you visualize the entire area.

• Take lots of pictures. There are many wonderful spots for vistas as well as family photos. I love to take pictures, they are a great visual reminder of what I have seen and experienced.

• Just take some time to relax and enjoy the area. Lay back, close your eyes, and feel!

OTHER SITES IN THIS AREA

• Jamesport – The largest Amish community in Missouri is located about 10 miles east of Adam-ondi-Ahman near Jamesport. This town has a population of about 570, while about 150 Amish families live just outside the city limits in the country. This is a wonderful stop for lunch, shopping, or to spend the night. It is important to note that the Amish close their stores on Thursdays and Sundays, they take cash or checks only, and they do not want to have their pictures taken. Read more about the Amish culture, discover how you can make a rare visit inside one of the Amish homes, and take advantage of the many merchant discounts available by reading the Jamesport chapter in our travel guide.

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