I…am…speaking.

The Mystery of Adam-ondi-Ahman

NOTE: The information stated in this blog entry is the belief of the Mormon Church and does not necessarily reflect my own opinion. However, the cool photos are by me.

In his book The Millennial Messiah, Bruce R. McConkie gives an excellent opening regarding the mystery of Adam-ondi-Ahman:

We now come to the least known and least understood thing connected with the Second Coming. It might well be termed the best-kept secret set forth in the revealed word. It is something about which the world knows nothing; it is a doctrine that has scarcely dawned on most of the Latter-day Saints themselves; and yet it is set forth in holy writ and in the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith with substantially the same clarity as any of the doctrines of the kingdom.

The foundation of Adam-ondi-Ahman was established by Jesus Christ. “That you may come up unto the crown prepared for you, and be made rulers over many kingdoms saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Zion, who hath established the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman.”

Adam built an altar on “a hill above the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman” or “plateau near Adam-ondi-Ahman [comprised of] a number of rocks piled together [where Adam] offered up sacrifices.“

At that place, “the Lord revealed to [Adam] the purpose of the fall and the mission of the Savior.“

Adam-ondi-Ahman became “the land where Adam dwelt.”

Upon offering the sacrifice, an angel of the Lord asked him why he did so. Adam replied that he did not know, but the Lord had commanded him to do it. He was then told that the blood of bulls and goats, of rams and lambs should be spilt upon the altar as a type of the great and last sacrifice which should be offered up for the sins of the world.

Before the coming of Christ as spoken of by the prophet Daniel, “There will be a great gathering in the Valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman.” Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., Doctrines of Salvation.

As explained by Bruce R. McConkie:

Before the Lord Jesus descends openly and publicly in the clouds of glory, attended by all the hosts of heaven; before the great and dreadful day of the Lord sends terror and destruction from one end of the earth to the other; before he stands on Mount Zion, or sets his feet on Olivet, or utters his voice from an American Zion or a Jewish Jerusalem; before all flesh shall see him together; before any of his appearances, which taken together comprise the second coming of the Son of God — before all these, there is to be a secret appearance to selected members of his Church. He will come in private to his prophet and to the apostles then living.

As the one presiding over the great meeting, Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

Adam is “the Ancient of Days” and, “In this dispensation the Ancient of Days will sit in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman; and the judgment will be set.” Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., Doctrines of Salvation.

Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., indicates that prior to this great gathering, the world governments, being in Satan’s control, will fall, creating a world of anarchy:

Until this grand council is held, Satan shall hold rule in the nations of the earth; but at that time thrones are to be cast down and man’s rule shall come to an end –for it is decreed that the Lord shall make an end of all nations. Preparation for this work is now going on. Kingdoms are already tottering, some have fallen; but eventually they shall all go the way of the earth, and he shall come whose right it is to rule. Then shall he give the government to the saints of the Most High.

‘The Slab’

As the producer and co-host, I am really excited about The Slab’s new home and format.  Randy and I have been making a lot of changes to the problem areas of our format.  Everything should be ready to go for our first show on  Para-X next Tuesday at 4 p.m. central (crossing fingers).

Still tons to do and I’m working through it all slowly.

Shouldn’t I write something?

Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up. -Jane Yolen

Call me a lazy writer. No seriously, you can because it’s true. I guess that means I’m not really much of a writer at all.  hehe

I’ve had many people asking me to at least update this once in a while, so I’m going to really try and be better about it. I would hate to bore my friends who have nothing better to do than browse my blog (or screw around on Facebook) when we all know you should really be working.

That is all.

Accepting publishing rejections

This seemed like a nice first post for my new blog.  The positive side of rejection…short little note to myself scribbled in one of my written journals:

An idea that won’t sell is practice.

This doesn’t mean discard rejected works.  If you are lucky enough to receive feedback from the publisher as to why it was rejected, use it.  Be comfortable accepting advice. You’ll become a better writer.

Rejection doesn’t mean failure as a writer.  So safely tuck away that manuscript for now.

It was a long time ago when I jotted that down, but it is some okay advice.

Publishing is difficult. Period.

Writers are addicts seeking a fix, and publication is the drug. Don’t become so desperate for that first story in print that you fall prey to misleading schemes that do nothing to further your writing career.

Don’t let ego get in the way of becoming a better writer. You’re not the greatest writer. You’ll never be the greatest writer…but you can be awesome. REALLY AWESOME.  Critics will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses – and you won’t always improve your weaknesses so know when you are wasting time trying and move on.  I mean, you DO have all those strengths, too.