Adam-Ondi-Ahman

 My Relief Society president taught us from Elder Nelson's talk, The Sabbath is a Delight. She focused her lesson on this quote: "Faith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God. A sacred Sabbath truly is a delight." 

 With that lesson fresh on my mind, we decided to head out to Adam Ondi Ahman after lunch. It's about an hour drive from our house. There were lots of naps during the car ride since we had been up so late with 4th of July fireworks the night before.  Once again, my camera settings were off and I didn't know it until I got them onto my computer for editing. Blah. So, they are very dark and moody. It just gives me an excuse to go back again. :)

 The boys picked me some flowers! They were so excited I couldn't tell them they were planted by the missionary gardeners. ;) Flowers grow back.

 So we set off on a windy path down the overlook.

 When i was little, maybe 4 years old?, our family came to visit in the winter months. We have a picture of us by some big rocks. So I'm guessing this is where we were. I don't remember it.

 Luke was on the hunt for leaves and such! He had a pretty good little collection when he was done.

 Gid stole the camera. :)

 Monkey in the tree

 

While the boys were climbing the tree, I told them the story of Adam and Eve. Then i told them what took place here and what was going to take place here.  Luke was so excited! "Wait! Adam was here? Right now?!"  Then later on he asked, "If Adam lived here, why aren't there foot prints?" ha!  Well, it's not quite like the dinosaurs that leave fossils for us to find. :) Still, very cute. 

 The boys liked this big hollow tree. It would be a perfect hide and seek tree.

The Litchfield's drove us out to see another section of the site.

We ran into an Elder who used to serve in our ward. He was with his companion and a couple, the Litchfield's, that knew SO much about the area. A lot of what they told us needs to be kept off the blog, but it was really just the biggest blessing to have those insider stories and i don't think it was coincidence that we crossed paths.

Tower Hill. That mound there is the location of a Nephite-ish alter. BYU excavated it in the 70s, confirmed what it was, then buried it back up for safe keeping.

That's the valley view from Temple Hill.

Walking down the ancient trail towards the LDS colony location and Lyman White's cabin remains. They called Lyman the Wild Ram of the Mountain. :) I think he must have been like Porter Rockwell.

Preacher Rock where Joseph stood to teach the congregation that would gather in that glen down below. If you stand on the rock and talk normal, your voice will carry clear as a bell down into the grass area. :) Pretty cool.

View from the grass up to Preacher Rock.

It's just a beautiful and peaceful place that's so full of church history! I feel so blessed that we are out here in the midwest to experience this with our boys.

Another view of Tower Hill on our walk back to the car.

Goodbye! We'll come again!! Maybe in the fall....oooo!