Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 116

Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
           SECTION 116

Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet near Wight's Ferry, at a place called Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri, May 19, 1838. HC 3:35.

The Lord gives Joseph Smith the name of the 'gathering place' of Adam, past, present and future, where man gathers to meet with God.

Center of Zion
 1 SPRING Hill is named by the Lord aAdam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where bAdam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sita, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet.

Adam-ondi-Ahman 
The name of the gathering place of Adam, past, present and future, seems to mean and imply more that its individual components. As the name breaks down it means 'Adam' or 'Man', 'dwells' or 'lives' and Ahman is one of the Holy names of 'God'. Thus 'Man dwells (in/with) God'. 		1a Ancient of Days shall sit  1a Dan. 7:13 (13-14, 22);
      D&C 78:15 (15, 20);
      D&C 95:17; D&C 107:53;
      D&C 117:8 (8, 11). Note that a
      song titled "Adam-ondi-Ahman,"
      written by W. W. Phelps, was
      sung at the Kirtland Temple
      dedication (HC 2:417).
   b TG Adam

Tower Hill 
It does appear that the Nephites may well have known and understood the signicance of the local of Adam-ondi-Ahman, for they at that spot did build a tower of sacrificial ordiance to God. No doubt this was in conjunction with their knowledge that this particular place was the same where Adam had met with his posterity and that it would also be the place where the posterity of Adam would gather to meet God in the latter-days.