Adam-ondi-Ahman

[_Trevor]

Strange too how after Jesus' crucification, the entire face of the Americas was changed, except for that pile of rocks.

Well, if God wants that pile to stay standing, then...

[_sunstoned]

Hi KA...

As a Mormon, I heard stories about how Jesus would return first to Adam-ondi-Ahaman to meet with certain privileged Saints before He made His presence known to the rest of the world. I also knew plenty of Mormons who thought they'd one day be asked to travel, by foot, to Missouri. It all seems so bizarre to me now!

Yes, I heard them too. Seems the last days return to Missouri story, is one of those teachings/doctrines/beliefs that is fading away. Although in my last ward there was a family who was preparing for the trek.

How do Mormon apologists justify the belief that the Garden of Eden is in Missouri?

I have never heard a good apologetic response. This is one of those doctrines that can't be relegated to "just opinion" since it is clearly in scripture and definitely taught. I think it is one of those beliefs that are resigned to the list of... "we will know in the next life," or something like this.

This belief is one that I could never fit into my brain, regardless of how hard I tried. It just so doesn't make any sort of sense whatsoever, IMHO. ;-)

~dancer~

We don't justify the belief. It simply is. It is as likely to be there as anywhere else.

Actually, the most likely scenario is that this whole unbelievable story is all made up.

[_Trevor]

Actually, the most likely scenario is that this whole unbelievable story is all made up.

Word.

[_Blixa]

Actually, the most likely scenario is that this whole unbelievable story is all made up.

Word.

To your heavenly mother.

[_Trevor]

To your heavenly mother.

I thank you on my mother's behalf for calling her heavenly.

[_Blixa]

To your heavenly mother.

I thank you on my mother's behalf for calling her heavenly.

My bad.

Word to your Mother in Heaven.

[_Trevor]

My bad.

Word to your Mother in Heaven.

Dear God, no! Don't tell me that my mother is dead!

[_Dakotah]

As one who has been to the pile of rocks, the 'altar' built by Adam, I think you need to know what reality is for it in these latter days. The Missionaries who serve in the area go with a members pickup and gather up more rocks and pile them up three or more times each year as the 'altar rocks' keep disappearing.

James E. Talmadge(sp?) relied on this 'altar' in support of his belief of 'pre-adamite' people on the earth as well as death before Adam was physically here. The rocks he saw on the spot helped firm up this belief as they contained fossils... and fossils don't happen unless something died to make them. He was there before the rock collecting of 'the altar' got to be a big deal and most likely saw the altar closer to the condition Joseph Smith would have seen it.

It is easy for me to believe Missouri could have been an 'eden', with all its green and lush growth. Compared to the more dry Western plains/canyons and mountains I am used to almost any place that has water would be a candidate. Most don't have Joseph Smith declaring they are 'the place' though. But, Joseph Smith also stated the City of Manti was the southernmost city of the Nephite civilization... and this was in Ohio or Missouri during the Zions Camp march.

So, either Joseph changed his mind on a lot of this stuff or the current leadership just doesn't believe what he stated so plainly many years ago. If the current top guy, GordieB of the Big Three can't even figure out the meaning of the King Follett discourse and the nature of God why would we think he or the other big dogs on the Mormon Porch would know much about anything?

[_Jason Bourne]

Hi KA...

As a Mormon, I heard stories about how Jesus would return first to Adam-ondi-Ahaman to meet with certain privileged Saints before He made His presence known to the rest of the world. I also knew plenty of Mormons who thought they'd one day be asked to travel, by foot, to Missouri. It all seems so bizarre to me now!

Yes, I heard them too. Seems the last days return to Missouri story, is one of those teachings/doctrines/beliefs that is fading away. Although in my last ward there was a family who was preparing for the trek.

How do Mormon apologists justify the belief that the Garden of Eden is in Missouri?

I have never heard a good apologetic response. This is one of those doctrines that can't be relegated to "just opinion" since it is clearly in scripture and definitely taught. I think it is one of those beliefs that are resigned to the list of... "we will know in the next life," or something like this.

This belief is one that I could never fit into my brain, regardless of how hard I tried. It just so doesn't make any sort of sense whatsoever, IMHO. ;-)

~dancer~

Do you believe in the Garden of Eden at all????

Has anyone been to somewhere in between the Euphrates and Tigres, in the place now called Iraq? Does that fit the Garden of Eden better?

But here is how it works. The place in Missouri was where the Garden of Eden was, but when it was there it was before two cataclysmic events-the dividing of the continents and the world wide flood, and this is how it works in LDS belief. So, the terrain and the geography is nothing like what it was back then.

[_Trevor]

Do you believe in the Garden of Eden at all????

No.