Adam-On-Di-Amon, Grand River Township, Daviess County, Missouri
Adam-On-Di-Amon.
This historic place, now nearly obliterated by time, was situated
about two miles south of Jameson upon a pleasant eminence bordering
upon a rocky bluff with a surrounding of beautiful scenery and
overlooking the turbid waters of Grand River. It was on this spot
that the Mormon prophet, Smith, claimed that our forefather, Adam,
was buried. The land was purchased from a man by the name of
Arrington, and other lands from Roland, Coots, and others, and it
was here that the Saints flocked as their promised Zion. There on
this site they commenced to build a town, and they called it
Adam-on-di-Amon. Among other things put up here was a large and
strong log house, called the "Lord's store-house." Their creed being
that all things belonged to the Saints of the Lord, and that they
were the Saints, they soon had this building well stocked with
stolen goods. Upon the northeast corner of the old town plat was at
that time a well defined grave, which is even now visible, which was
pointed out as Adam's burial place. This town site, now a farm,
belongs to Maj. W. D. McDonald, but up to this time the major has
not exhibited any pride because the is the sole possessor of "Father
Adam's" grave.
The town grew rapidly. The Mormons flocked from all quarters, even
"Far West," was paling before the grave of. Adam, and it soon became
known to the Mormons that their prophet, Joseph Smith, had had
another revelation, and the Lord had told him that upon that summit
of rising ground and in the shadow of Adam's resting place, should a
magnificent temple of the Lord be reared. This revelation was sent
to the faithful wherever they could be found, and soon it became
known that "Adam-on-di-Amon" was chosen of the Lord. The plans of
the great temple were drawn, and the stealing became immense, for
much was needed to carry out this magnificent scheme. But it was not
built. The Saints and the Gentiles agreed very harmoniously to
differ, and differ they did most seriously, and as the Lord is
always supposed to be on the side of the strongest battalion, there
is to record the utter route of the Mormons, driven bodily from the
land of their adoption, and the grave of Adam .fell into the Gentile
hands. The temple was not built, but a change of mind caused them to
locate it at Nauvoo, Illinois, instead of "'Di-Amon," as it was
called, for short, in Missouri. Grand River township, however, yet
have the supposed grave and is content to let her temple that was to
be, and its builders locate in some more-to-them-favored clime. It
is a beautiful location, and it is not to be wondered at that the
Mormons hated to leave the spot. Had it not been for their fanatical
leaders and a few unprincipled wretches, it is not hard to believe
that "Di-Amon" today would have been a large city' But Saints and
Gentiles could not live in peace, and as one had. to go, the weaker
was driven to the wall, and though this place has become historic,
there are few pilgrims who visit Adam's grave on the banks of the
swift-flowing Grand River. The citizens of the township, however,
have not mourned the loss of their temple.
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