what is Adam ondi Ahman?

Question

I have dreamed this word but cant figure out what it means...

It sounds so important but how can it be...anyone who wants to answer.

Answer 1

Meaning of the Name

There are somewhat varied interpretations of the term Adam-ondi-Ahman. Likewise, there is a variety in the legends and traditions that have developed about the area.

Adam-ondi-Ahman is interpreted by one to mean "the Valley of God" (Orson Pratt, JD,16:48), by another as "Adam's consecrated Land" (public signboard of the Missouri State Historical Society on the courthouse square), and by another, "Adam's grave" (public signboard of the Missouri State Historical Society).

Elder Orson Pratt preserved a bit of information for us in one of his discourses delivered in Salt Lake City on 18 February 1855:

There is one revelation that this people are not generally acquainted with. I think it has never been published, but probably it will be in the Church History. It is given in questions and answers. The first question is, "What is the name of God in the pure language?" The answer says "Ahman." "What is the name of the Son of God?" Answer, "Son Ahman--the greatest of all the parts of God excepting Ahman." "What is the name of men?" "Sons Ahman," is the answer.
(Orson Pratt, JD 2:342)

Although Elder Pratt did not use the term Adam-ondi-Ahman, his discussion of the word Ahman is interesting.

Elder Alvin R. Dyer, who has amassed a great deal of information in his study of the history and significance of Adam-ondi-Ahman, interprets the name in relation to the priesthood and revelatory experiences of Adam in being the first man to hold the spiritual blessings of the gospel:

The very word itself speaks of the manner in which Adam has received the "Keys of Salvation" under the counsel and direction of the Holy One, who is Jesus Christ the Lord. The word "Adam" refers directly to Adam. The word "ondi," means nearby or connected with. The word "Ahman" means the Lord himself. Therefore a literal translation of the words "Adam-ondi-Ahman" means The Lord Jesus Christ, through Adam unto mankind.
(Alvin R. Dyer, The Lord Speaketh (Deseret Book, 1964, p. 216)

Elder Dyer also has gathered reports of early brethren and residents of Daviess county which describe Adam-ondi-Ahman as the site of two ancient altars (neither of which is now to be seen) used by Adam. One of these, an "altar of prayer" he locates not far from the Lyman Wight house on Tower Hill. The other, an "altar of sacrifice," is said to have been situated a mile or so away near the top of Spring Hill. (Alvin R. Dyar, The Refiners Fire, Deseret Book, 1968, p. 166, 171-72)

In reading the literature available about the place now called Adam-ondi-Ahman, one finds a difference in the veneration that is held concerning it. The spectrum runs from an acceptance of the place as the very spot on which Adam dwelt to the opposite view that there is nothing particularly significant about the location either anciently, currently, or in the future. Not only do these extremes have their advocates, but there are gradations in between. As might be expected concerning a site in which so much has been said so closely associated with the patriarch of the human family, several legends have grown up about what has happened and does happen there. Two of these are noted herein. The reader may judge their veracity for himself.

There is a report that a certain mound of rocks marks the spot of Adam's grave. It is on a small spur jutting out from the larger Spring Hill, and is called Tower Hill. The rocks are located under a tree. The story has it that on "certain Friday nights a light can be seen flowing over the rocks, and that upon these occasions Adam himself gets up and walks around (Herman C. Smith 9:140).

In 1944 Pathfinder magazine published an article under the caption: "Sold: The Garden of Eden." included with the article was a picture of a large tree, under which was a flat table-like stone labeled "Adam's Council Table" (Pathfinder Magazine, 31 July 1944). No documentation is given for the statement.

Answer 2

Adam-ondi-Ahman is the place where Mormons believe Adam lived after he was expelled from the Garden of Eden. Mormons believe that the Garden of Eden was in North America, and that after Adam was expelled, he lived in the area of Missouri where Adam-ondi-Ahman was. That is where he first offered sacrifices to God. Mormons also believe that Adam and all the other prophets that ever lived will gather together there at the Second Coming of Christ to turn over all the keys of their priesthood authority officially over to Jesus Christ. Obviously, Mormons consider it to be a special place.

Answer 3

Adam-ondi-Ahman is a historic site along the east bank of the Grand River in Daviess County, Missouri. The early settlement was commonly called Diahman by contemporaries and the town was later known as Cravensville. The site is 4.5 miles northeast of Gallatin, Missouri, and 25 miles north of the historic site of Far West.

According to Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, Adam-ondi-Ahman is the location where Adam, believed to be the Ancient of Days referred to in the Book of Daniel, is expected to visit the earth prior to the Second Coming of Jesus. Smith also used the name Adam-ondi-Ahman in reference to the location where Adam and Eve are said to have lived after being cast out from the Garden of Eden. Joseph Smith Jr. possibly believed these two locations were the same.
Adam-ondi-Ahman, December 6, 2004
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Adam-ondi-Ahman, December 6, 2004

Meaning of the Name

According to widespread LDS belief, the term Adam-ondi-Ahman is part of the Adamic language. (See Orson Pratt, J.D. 2:342.) The name was first referenced in about 1832, in LDS Doctrine and Covenants 78, prior being attached to a specific place. The name was also the title of the early church's most popular hymn:

"This earth was once a garden place, With all her glories common, And men did live a holy race, And worship Jesus face to face, In Adam-ondi-Ahman. / We read that Enoch walk'd with God, Above the power of mammon, While Zion spread herself abroad, And Saints and angels sung aloud, In Adam-ondi-Ahman. / Her land was good and greatly blest, Beyond old Israel's Canaan; Her fame was known from east to west, Her peace was great, and pure the rest Of Adam-ondi-Ahman. / Hosannah to such days to come—The Savior's second coming, When all the earth in glorious bloom, Affords the Saints a holy home, Like Adam-ondi-Ahman." (John Taylor, Mediation and Atonement, Ch. 8) (listen to the MP3).

The term Adam-ondi-Ahman has been speculatively translated as the "Valley of God, where Adam dwelt" (by Orson Pratt), "The valley of God in which Adam blessed his children" (by LDS historian John Corrill), "Adam's grave" (by Community of Christ historian Herman C. Smith), or "Adam with God," because in scriptures by Joseph Smith, Jr., the term Son Ahman is said to refer to Jesus. (LDS D&C 78:20.) The term Ahman, therefore, is popularly interpreted to mean "God".

Answer 4

This is a Mormon belief that the Garden of Eden is located in Missouri. Mormons believe that Jesus will reunite all the saints (read: believing Mormons) in this place before the Apocalypse.