The name of Adam-ondi-Ahman was revealed several years earlier to Joseph Smith during a patriarchal blessing given to his father on December 18, 1833. The blessing was later added to the Doctrine and Covenants as part of section 107 (D&C 107:53–57). The revelation in section 116 that designates Spring Hill as Adam-ondi-Ahman refers to a visitation from Adam which has not yet occurred, but this future event will likely be in the same location where Adam anciently gathered “the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing” (see commentary on D&C 107:53–57). 

The prophecy of Daniel the prophet that the Lord refers to in section 116 is found in Daniel 7:9–14, in which Daniel declared: 

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 . . . behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed (Daniel 7:9, 13–14).

On many occasions, the Prophet Joseph Smith positively identified the “Ancient of Days” as Adam. In an 1839 discourse recorded by Willard Richards, the Prophet declared: 

[When Daniel 7] speaks of the Ancient of days, he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael; he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He, (Adam) is the Father of the human family and presides over the Spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action, the Son of Man Stands before him and there is given him glory & dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the Keys of the Universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family.”¹

In an 1877 discourse Orson Pratt further enlightened the Saints on the meaning of the name “Adam-ondi-Ahman.” He explained, “We have then an understanding that it was the place where Adam dwelt. Perhaps you may be anxious to know what ‘Ondi-Ahman’ means. It means the place where Adam dwelt. ‘Ahman’ signifies God. The whole term means Valley of God, where Adam dwelt. It is in the original language spoken by Adam, as revealed to the Prophet Joseph.”²

1. Discourse, between circa 26 June and circa 4 August 1839–A, as Reported by Willard Richards, pp. 63–64, JSP.

2. Orson Pratt, in Journal of Discourses, 18:342–43; see also “Sample of Pure Language, between circa 4 and circa 20 March 1832,” p. 144, JSP.