ANSWERS: 13
  • Not necessarily. Their scriptures do teach that at some point Adam dwelt in what is now Missouri, but the passages do not specifically mention the Garden of Eden. Adam lived for hundreds of years after he left the garden, and it could have been at some point during this time when he dwelt in what is now Missouri. Anything more specific than that is speculation. [Added in response to Rodric Johnson] Revelation given to Joseph Smith only stated that Adam dwelt in what is now Missouri after the Garden of Eden. It does not state the Garden of Eden was in what is now Missouri.
  • that could be true but it is of god that is only can be shown.. that may be confusing but i have been to missouri and it could be that the garden of eden was there but it is not anymore.... its no where on earth... what would happen if you saw a tree that beheld forbidden fruit..? lol
  • As far as I've learned, The LDS religion doesn't teach that the Garden of Eden is in Missouri. However, some may have formed their own opinions about the subject and said they believe that the Gardedn of Eden is in Missouri.
  • yes we do believe the Garden of Eden was in Missouri. here is a site with pictures and notes showing it was. http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/gardenofeden.htm
  • I honestly could tell you if they do. My grandmother married a LDS but he never made mention of the Garden being in Missouri, or the North American continent for that matter. I've always been lead on that the Garden of Eden was in the Egypt.......Asia maybe area. I realy can't see North America as the beinging of time. When Jesus was born in Bethlaham.....my opinion though. My ex-grandfather did say though that he believed the apple was the forbidden fruit. Whether that was true or not, you got me, but that's what he said.
  • As a matter of fact we do. We have been told it was located in what is now Jackson County Missouri. Is there any proof? None that I know of, but then we do not require any proof. A Prophet of god said it and we believe him. However, if you take into account the actual event of the flood, you will find it very hard to reconcile the Garden being located in mesopotomia as scholors claim. for instance, we are told in the Bible that it rained for 40 days and nights, and great fountains came up from the deep, and there were great winds driving the Ark for 150 days, or five months. Mesaopotomia was only about 300 miles from Mt. Arrarat. It would not take 5 months to go 300 miles. But it could very well take that long to go from Independance Missouri to Mt Arrarat. Just a thought...whew4
  • Yes they do believe that fantasy. My 2 cents.
  • SHORT ANSWER: Yes. LONG ANSWER: Bob Blaylock has already provided you with the official LDS Church perspective. Please consider the attached videos and images about "Adam-ondi-ahman" (aka "North Western Missouri") for yourself. And finally, here's an outside perspective on this question using the Sandra Tanner article that another member who answered the question forgot to copy and paste for you (so you didn't have to use an off-site link): Was The Garden of Eden in Missouri? by Sandra Tanner When Christians hear Mormons refer to the Garden of Eden they may incorrectly assume that the LDS believe it was by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Joseph Smith, however, claimed by revelation that the Garden of Eden was in western Missouri. This would throw off the entire first part of Genesis. Noah would have left in the ark from Missouri and sailed to some location in the Middle East. LDS Apostle John A. Widtsoe explained: "Latter-day Saints know, through modern revelation, that the Garden of Eden was on the North American continent and that Adam and Eve began their conquest of the earth in the upper part of what is now the state of Missouri. It seems very probable that the children of our first earthly parents moved down along the fertile, pleasant lands of the Mississippi valley." (John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, three volumes in one, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft 1960, p. 127) (image attached) Map from My Kingdom Shall Roll Forth, Reading in Church History, p.2, 1980. published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Joseph Smith declared this new understanding of Genesis and the location of Eden during a trip through Missouri in 1831. Historian Fawn Brodie commented: "Shortly after his arrival Joseph rowed up the Grand River to Lyman Wight’s ferry to explore land on the north bank in Daviess County [Missouri]. On a high bluff overlooking the river someone in the party discovered the ruins of what seemed to be an altar and excitedly led the prophet to it. After examining it Joseph stood silent, his eyes sweeping over the prairie that rolled away beneath him....The glory of the scene made Joseph heady as with new wine. 'This is the valley of God in which Adam blessed his children,' he said, 'and upon this very altar Adam himself offered up sacrifices to Jehovah....we will lay out a city which shall be called Adam-ondi-Ahman. Here Adam, the Ancient of Days, shall come to visit his people....' " (No Man Knows My History: the life of Joseph Smith, by Fawn Brodie, Random House, 1971, p. 211) In 1835 the Latter Day Saints Messenger and Advocate printed a poem titled "Adam-ondi-Ahman": (image attached) This poem was considered of such importance that it was incorporated in the first LDS hymnal in 1835 and continues to be included in current LDS hymnals (see the 1985 LDS hymnal, p. 49). Even after the Mormons moved west they continued to talk about the importance of Adam-ondi-Ahman in Missouri. LDS Apostle Wilford Woodruff, writing in his journal on March 30, 1873, commented: "Again Presdet Young said Joseph the Prophet told me that the garden of Eden was in Jackson Co Missouri, & when Adam was driven out of the garden of Eden He went about 40 miles to the Place which we Named Adam Ondi Ahman, & there built an Altar of Stone & offered Sacrifize. That Altar remains to this day. I saw it as Adam left it as did many others, & through all the revolutions of the world that Altar had not been disturbed. Joseph also said that when the City of Enoch fled & was translated it was whare the gulf of Mexico now is. It left that gulf a body of water." (Waiting for World's End: The Diaries of Wilford Woodruff, edited by Susan Staker, Signature Books, 1993, p. 305) (image attached) Picture from Joseph Smith Begins His Work Volume 1 (Reproduction of an 1830 Book of Mormon from uncut sheets.) Oliver B. Huntington, a faithful Mormon, wrote an article on Adam-ondi-Ahman for the LDS magazine Juvenile Instructor: "Adam's Altar, which was mentioned, I have visited many times. I sat upon the wall of stone and reflected upon the scenes that had taken place thousands of years ago right where I was. There were the rocks that Father Adam used.... My father's house stood about two hundred and fifty yards from that altar, on the bottom land of Grand River, in the valley of Adam-on-Diahman." (Juvenile Instructor, Nov. 15, 1895, p. 700-701) (images attached) Juvenile Instructor, Nov. 15, 1895, pages 700 & 701 LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie gives this information about the location of the Garden of Eden: ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN Adam was the first man of all men; Ahman is one of the names by which God was known to Adam. Adam-ondi-Ahman, a name carried over from the pure Adamic language into English, is one for which we have not been given a revealed, literal translation. As near as we can judge -- and this view comes down from the early brethren who associated with the Prophet Joseph Smith, who was the first one to use the name in this dispensation -- Adam-ondi-Ahman means the place or land of God where Adam dwelt. Apparently the area included was a large one; at least, the revelations speak of the land, the valley, and the mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman. They tell us that Christ himself "established the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman" (D. & C. 78:15-16), and that it included the place now known as Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri. (D. & C. 116.) Far West, Missouri, also appears to be included in the land of Adam-ondi-Ahman. On April 17, 1838, the Lord commanded his saints to assemble at Far West, which place, he said, was holy ground; and there they were to build a city. (D. & C. 115.) By July 8 of that year, William Marks and Newel K. Whitney had not left their temporal concerns in Kirtland, Ohio, and were not assembling with the saints coming to Zion. In rebuking them the Lord said this: "Is there not room enough on the mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and on the plains of Olaha Shinehah, or the land where Adam dwelt, that you should covet that which is but the drop, and neglect the more weighty matters? Therefore, come up hither unto the land of my people, even Zion." William Marks was told that he was to "preside in the midst of my people in the city of Far West," and Newel K. Whitney was told to "come up to the land of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and be a bishop unto my people." (D. & C. 117.) The early brethren of this dispensation taught that the Garden of Eden was located in what is known to us as the land of Zion, an area for which Jackson County, Missouri, is the center place. In our popular Latter-day Saint hymn which begins, "Glorious things are sung of Zion, Enoch's city seen of old," we find William W. Phelps preserving the doctrine that "In Adam-ondi-Ahman, Zion rose where Eden was."... One of the greatest spiritual gatherings of all the ages took place in the Valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman some 5,000 years ago, and another gathering -- of even greater importance relative to this earth's destiny -- is soon to take place in that same location. Our revelations recite: "Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman and there bestowed upon them his last blessing. "And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel. And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever. And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being fill of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation." (D. & C. 107:53-56.) (Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie, p. 19-20) Apostle McConkie went on to explain that Joseph Smith had even identified an altar in Missouri as one built by Adam: At that great gathering Adam offered sacrifices on an altar built for the purpose. A remnant of that very altar remained on the spot down through the ages. On May 19, 1838, Joseph Smith and a number of his associates stood on the remainder of the pile of stones at a place called Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri. There the Prophet taught them that Adam again would visit in the Valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, holding a great council as a prelude to the great and dreadful day of the Lord. (Mediation and Atonement pp. 69-70.) At this council, all who have held keys of authority will give an accounting of their stewardship to Adam. Christ will then come, receive back the keys, and thus take one of the final steps preparatory to reigning personally upon the earth. (Dan. 7:9-14; Teachings, p. 157.) (Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie, p. 21) LDS Apostle John A. Widtsoe gave these comments about the Garden of Eden: Later, the Prophet designated "Spring Hill," a hill of eminence about fifty or sixty miles north and somewhat to the east of Independence, as Adam-ondi-Ahman, . . . the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet." (D. & C. 116) . . . Since Adam called together seven generations of his descendants at Adam-ondi-Ahman, it can well be believed that there was his old homestead. If so, the Garden of Eden was probably not far distant, for it was the entrance at the east of the Garden which was closed against them at the time of the "fall." (Genesis 3:24) In fact, it has been commonly understood among the Latter-day Saints, from the teachings of the Prophet, that the temple was to be built in or near the location of the Garden of Eden. That the Prophet actually taught that the Garden of Eden was in or near Independence, Missouri, is amply testified to by many who knew and heard him. Heber C. Kimball, close associate and friend of the Prophet, said on one occasion: The spot chosen for the Garden of Eden was Jackson County, in the state of Missouri, where Independence now stands; it was occupied in the morn of creation by Adam and his associates, who came with him for the express purpose of peopling this earth. (Journal of Discourses, 10:235) Brigham Young, also a close associate of the Prophet, testified similarly: In the beginning, after this earth was prepared for man, the Lord commenced his work upon what is now called the American continent, where the Garden of Eden was made. In the days of Noah, in the days of the Boating of the ark, he took the people to another part of the earth. (Discourses, p. 102) In conversation with Orson Hyde, on March 15, 1857, President Young said: You have been both to Jerusalem and Zion, and seen both. I have not seen either, for I have never been in Jackson County. Now it is a pleasant thing to think of and to know where the Garden of Eden was. Did you ever think of it? I do not think many do, for in Jackson County was the Garden of Eden. Joseph has declared this, and I am as much bound to believe that as to believe that Joseph was a prophet of God. (Journal History, March 15, 1857) That is the position of the Latter-day Saints today, with respect to the much-discussed location of the Garden of Eden. Adam, after his expulsion from the Garden of Eden, lived in the vicinity of the great Missouri and Mississippi rivers. As his descendants multiplied, they would naturally settle along the fertile and climatically acceptable river valleys. When the flood came in the days of Noah, the Mississippi drainage must have increased to a tremendous volume, quite in harmony with the Biblical account. Noah's ark would be floated on the mighty, rushing waters, towards the Gulf of Mexico. With favorable winds, it would cross the Atlantic to the Eastern continents. There the human race, in its second start on earth, began to multiply and fill the earth. The location of the Garden of Eden in America, and at Independence, Missouri, clears up many a problem which the Bible account of Eden and its garden has left in the minds of students. (Evidences and Reconciliations, by John A. Widtsoe, p. 395-397) However, there is nothing in the book of Genesis to indicate that the first eight chapters of the story happened in North America. http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/gardenofeden.htm
  • President Brigham Young and others reported that the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that Eden was in Jackson County, Missouri, [See Journal of Discourses, 10:235; Matthias F. Cowley, Wilford Woodruff: History of His Life and Labors (1964), 481, 545–46; Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15 Mar. 1857].
  • CLIPPED FROM "MORMONISM FOR DUMMIES: GLAD YOU ASKED!" . . . Glad You Asked! The Garden of Eden (link to source = http://www.postmormon.org/exp_e/index.php/peepstone/full_text/805) “Glad You Asked!” is a feature designed to enlighten the curious about some of the various aspects of Mormonism that indeed makes them a “peculiar people.” This will be our online equivalent of “Mormonism For Dummies” and will no doubt become a rich, online resource tool for people interested in the culture of the intermountain west. Today, We’re Glad You Asked about The Garden of Eden! GARDEN OF EDEN (See also ADAM; ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN; BIZARRE TEACHINGS, Smith; BIZZARE TEACHINGS, Young) Mormons are Christians, okay? They’ll tell you so, unequivocally, unless you’re Brigham Young, and then he makes it clear that Mormons don’t want to be Christians. And as Christians, they have a special place in their hearts for the Garden of Eden and its first inhabitants, Adam and Eve. So far so good. However, what the gentile world needs to understand about the REAL Garden of Eden (something that was a plain and precious truth that was lost when wicked priests translated the Bible) was that it wasn’t anywhere near Jerusalem, or even on the continent of Asia—it was in North America, specifically in the Northwest part of Missouri. Every good Mormon knows this, and not one Christian even has a clue. Can you believe it? The Mormons have proof, however. Not only did God reveal this tidbit of historical fact to Joseph Smith in a revelation, but Smith also found the very altar upon which Adam offered up a sacrifice to the most High God. Well, not so much an altar per se, but rather a pile of rocks that used to be an altar. Joseph said so. You’d think that with a pile of rocks “right there!” that the Pope and Oral Roberts and John Ankerberg would bow their prideful heads at last and admit that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. But they persist in their stiff-neckedness. That’s why we have this handy graphic, to help the Christian world finally understand! CLICK THIS LINK OR THE ATTACHED IMAGE BELOW FOR GRAPHIC http://www.postmormon.org/exp_e/images/uploads/sheep.gif (and I've also attached a photo of the pile of rock that by "revelation" Joseph Smith claimed was "Adam's Altar" - or use this link http://cdn-www.answerbag.com/images/answers/3252/5612227/adamondiahmanalter_woodphoto.jpg) The good news here, though, is that when God returns to Missouri, we won’t have to try to use our frequent flyer miles to get to Israel. We can drive our Yukons! Just type, “Independence, Missouri” into your GPS, pack the wife and kids and a couple of credit cards, and you’re practically there. It might not be a bad idea to call ahead now for reservations at the Marriot in Kansas City. Just tell them you’re with the group from Zion and they’ll give you the special “Garden of Eden Millennial Room Rate”, and hold your reservation for whenever Christ descends on the temple that, hopefully, will be built by then. If you wait until the last minute, you might be sharing a room with your brother and his family of 9 screaming kids, and you don’t want that. (Copyright 2008 The Post-Mormon Community)
  • Yes. Which is rather interesting considering Jeddah Saudi Arabia. Why? Because the tomb of Eve is supposedly there.
  • Lots more nonsense than that!
  • Lots more nonsense than that!

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