Section 116
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 116 is a single-verse revelation recorded by Joseph Smith on May 19, 1838, during a period of Mormon settlement in Missouri. The text serves a dual purpose: toponymic (naming a geographical location) and eschatological/theological. It designates a specific location in Daviess County, Missouri, known as Spring Hill, with the revelatory name 'Adam-ondi-Ahman.' The text asserts that this site is where Adam will return to visit his people in the latter days. Crucially, the text explicitly identifies Adam as the 'Ancient of Days' prophesied by the biblical prophet Daniel. This brief text carries immense theological weight within the Latter-day Saint tradition, as it geographically anchors biblical pre-history and future eschatology to the North American continent, while simultaneously redefining a major Old Testament divine title (Ancient of Days) by applying it to the first human, Adam. This establishes a framework for the exalted status of Adam in LDS theology and sets the stage for a grand, pre-millennial council.
Key Figures
- The Lord: The divine source of the revelation who renames the location.
- Joseph Smith: The prophet receiving and recording the revelation.
- Adam / Ancient of Days: The first human, elevated in this text to the eschatological figure prophesied by Daniel, who will return to visit his people.
- Daniel the prophet: The Old Testament prophet cited to legitimize the title 'Ancient of Days.'
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Adam as the Ancient of Days
Assertion
The text claims that the first man, Adam, is the 'Ancient of Days' prophesied by Daniel.
Evidence from Text
...it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet.
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, rooted in historical-grammatical exegesis of Daniel 7, the 'Ancient of Days' is a theophany representing the eternal, uncreated God. In Daniel 7:9-14, the Ancient of Days sits on a fiery throne, is served by thousands upon thousands, and presents everlasting dominion to the 'Son of Man' (Jesus Christ). Ascribing this title and these divine prerogatives to Adam, a created being who fell into sin (Romans 5:12), fundamentally violates the Creator-creature distinction central to biblical Theology Proper. By elevating Adam to this status, D&C 116 departs from strict monotheism and orthodox Trinitarianism, blending human exaltation with divine identity.
Eschatological Geography of North America
Assertion
The text asserts that a specific location in Missouri (Spring Hill) is 'Adam-ondi-Ahman,' a sacred site for a future eschatological gathering.
Evidence from Text
Spring Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people...
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical Christianity views biblical geography as centered in the Ancient Near East, with future eschatological events culminating in the return of Christ to the Mount of Olives and the establishment of the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21). D&C 116 introduces a localized, North American eschatology, claiming Missouri as the site of a grand, pre-millennial council led by Adam. This shifts the eschatological focus away from the biblical narrative of Israel and Jerusalem, requiring adherents to accept extra-biblical revelation regarding sacred geography.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
The text fundamentally breaches the Creator-creature distinction by elevating the first human, Adam, to the divine title 'Ancient of Days,' a title reserved exclusively for God in biblical theology.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap centers on Theology Proper and the Creator-creature distinction. In Daniel 7, the 'Ancient of Days' is a vivid portrayal of the eternal God. He is described with clothing white as snow, hair like pure wool, and a throne of flaming fire. He sits in ultimate judgment and is the one who grants everlasting, universal dominion to the 'Son of Man' (Jesus Christ). To identify Adam—a created being who brought sin and death into the world (Romans 5:12)—as the Ancient of Days is a severe departure from biblical orthodoxy. It elevates man to a divine status and strips God of His unique, unshared glory (Isaiah 42:8). This reflects the broader LDS theological trajectory of eternal progression, where the ontological gap between God and man is a matter of degree, not kind.
For All Ages
Imagine a great kingdom with a King and a servant. The Bible tells us that God is the eternal King (called the Ancient of Days) and Adam is the first servant He created. This text says that Adam actually IS the Ancient of Days. That is like saying the servant is the King. For Christians, God is completely unique and no human can ever take His special titles or place.
Friction Points
Theology Proper / Creator-Creature Distinction
Ascribes a divine title and eschatological role (Ancient of Days) to a created, fallen human (Adam).
Sola Scriptura
Reinterprets clear biblical prophecy (Daniel 7) through the lens of modern, extra-biblical revelation.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Ancient of Days"
In This Text
A title for Adam, the first man, who will return to preside over a latter-day council.
In Evangelicalism
A title for the eternal, uncreated God (typically understood as God the Father) who sits in ultimate judgment and grants dominion to Christ.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: While not explicitly defining salvation, the text implies that participation in the latter-day events at Adam-ondi-Ahman is part of the ultimate redemption and gathering of the faithful.
How Attained: By aligning with modern prophets who hold the keys to these eschatological mysteries.
Basis of Assurance: Confidence is placed in the institutional church and its prophetic leadership to guide members to the correct physical and spiritual gatherings.
Comparison to Sola Fide: The text shifts focus from the finished work of Christ on the cross (justification by faith alone) to future, localized, esoteric events involving exalted human patriarchs.
Mandates & Requirements
Implicit Obligations
- Accept Joseph Smith's prophetic authority to reinterpret Old Testament prophecy.
- Believe in the exalted, eschatological role of Adam as the Ancient of Days.
- Revere the physical location of Adam-ondi-Ahman in Missouri as a sacred site.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- When you read Daniel 7, how do you understand the relationship between the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man?
- What does it mean to you that Adam is given a title that the Bible seems to reserve for God?
- How does the idea of a sacred gathering place in Missouri impact your view of the end times compared to the biblical focus on Jerusalem?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for a physical gathering and the restoration of Eden (Adam-ondi-Ahman).
This reflects a deep human longing for the restoration of paradise and dwelling with God. The biblical Gospel promises exactly this, not through a gathering in Missouri led by Adam, but through the return of Christ, the 'Last Adam' (1 Corinthians 15:45), who brings the New Jerusalem down from heaven where God will dwell with His people forever.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The believer is burdened with the need to understand and rely on extra-biblical, hidden knowledge (such as the true identity of the Ancient of Days and secret geographical locations) to have a complete picture of God's plan, rather than resting in the clear, sufficient revelation of the Bible.
The believer must place absolute trust in a modern human leader's radical reinterpretation of ancient scripture, creating a vulnerability where faith is anchored in Joseph Smith's claims rather than the historically verifiable biblical text.