Entry 12 – Like a Fire is Burning – Far West, Adam-ondi-Ahman, Missouri. 16th - 17th April, 2007.

We approached Far West early in the evening of Monday the 16th April. The drive was beautiful. Despite the ill feelings I have towards the state of Missouri, I am inclined to think what a beautiful place it is. The soil is dark, rich and fertile, and the landscape is undulating with small patches of trees here and there. I can see why Joseph Smith loved it so much. Far West seems to be in the middle of all this beauty. I am so sad that the saints didn’t get to build the Temple here. It is so picturesque.

The monument at Far West.

We had just enough time to wander around and view the four corner stones that were laid for the Temple before the sun began to set. Each cornerstone represented an office of the priesthood. The sun seemed to set forever, it was a joy to watch. Two other local families, who were enjoying a FHE together at this historic site, joined us. It was very pleasant standing around talking with them about the Church in the area now, and watching the sunset in the distance. It is hard to believe that this place was such a source of pain and suffering for the saints.

One of the cornerstones of the Far West Temple.

This one represents the Lesser Priesthood

Adam-ondi-Ahman stole my heart straight away. It would have to be my favourite place of all the places we visited. I imagined it as a small hill in the middle of nowhere, but to my surprise it was a large tract of land that covered many hills and valleys. To get to all the main areas of it we had to drive. I loved it. We first spent some time on Tower Hill. Wayne and the children went for a bit of a walk and I tried to record some of the bird sounds that surrounded me. If I closed my eyes I could imagine being surrounded by a beautiful garden and oodles of wildlife.

I had to include this picture. It is our Australian link to Adam-ondi-ahman. This road runs through the middle of Spring Hill.

At Spring Hill we spent some time chatting to one of the missionary’s who was responsible for the upkeep of the roads and fences. I could tell that Wayne was envious of him and the work that he did. He would have loved to be doing that kind of missionary service.

Some background information on the area. When we arrived here, we discovered that we could have done a lot more research into Adam-ondi-ahman. Bruce R. McKonkie in his book 'The Millennial Messiah' talks about it (see pages 578-588. Also, D&C 116 has some information on it - especially if you follow the cross-referencing.

The path leading to the Valley of Adam-ondi-ahman.

We then drove down to view the Adam-ondi-Ahman Valley and marvelled at the area that it covered. The Church leases out the land to local farmers, so it was meticulously ploughed, ready for the planting of the spring crop. It was a beautiful and peaceful place.

Wayne checking out the valley - possibly trying to determine what they were growing down there.

The family having a bit of fun.

Wayne and Dallan having a bit of fun.