Related Posts: The Fall of Man: The Doctrine; Adam-God Theory

It is believed among Mormons that the garden of Eden was located in the area around Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. About 60 miles north of Independence is a place called Adam-ondi-Ahman. It is believed that this is where Adam and Eve went to dwell after they were expelled from the garden of Eden.

Three years prior to his death Adam called a great council at Adam-ondi-Ahman.

There [he] bestowed upon them his last blessing. And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel. And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam…And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation…predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation. (D&C 107:53-56)

Prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ Adam will call another council at Adam-ondi-Ahman. All leaders who have had priesthood keys will give an accounting of their stewardship to Adam and Adam will give them instruction to prepare the church for the second coming of Christ. Christ will make an appearance, and there Adam will give his stewardship to Christ and Christ will be proclaimed king over the kingdoms of the earth. It is believed that Daniel 7 speaks of this meeting:

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man [Christ] came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days [Adam], and they brought him near before him. And there was given him [Christ] 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 (Dan. 7:13-14; compare D&C 116:1).

Final Comments
There is no scripture that reveals the location of the garden of Eden. From the Doctrine and Covenants it can be determined that Adam-ondi-Ahman was in Missouri (D&C 116:1). Since this is where Adam sojourned after being expelled from the garden it can be inferred that the garden of Eden was located in the Northern Hemisphere, probably around the area of Adam-ondi-Ahman. The exact location of the garden of Eden is based upon tradition. Though there is no known statement by Joseph Smith that specifies its location, many early church leaders who were personally acquainted with the prophet said that it was. Brigham Young said to Wilford Woodruff, “Joseph, the Prophet, told me that the Garden of Eden was in Jackson County, Missouri. When Adam was driven out he went to the place we now call Adam-ondi-Ahman, Daviess County, Missouri” (Wilford Woodruff: History of His Life and Labors, p. 481).

There is a LDS hymn called Adam-ondi-Ahman (lyrics).

Some Quotes about the Location of Garden of Eden
I will say more, the spot chosen for the garden of Eden was Jackson County, in the State of Missouri, where Independence now stands; it was occupied in the morn of creation by Adam and his associates who came with him for the express purpose of peopling this earth. (Heber C. Kimball, June 27, 1863, Journal of Discourses [abbr. JD] 10: 235).

But we look forward to that land with indescribable feelings, because it is the place where God has said His city shall be built. It is the land where Adam, the Ancient of Days, will gather his posterity again, and where the blessings of God will descend upon them…But God in His revelations has informed us that it was on this choice land of Joseph where Adam was placed and the Garden of Eden was laid out. The spot has been designated, and we look forward with peculiar feelings to repossessing that land. (George Q. Cannon, March 3rd, 1867, JD 11:337)

In the beginning, after this earth was prepared for man, the Lord commenced his work upon what is now called the American continent, where the Garden of Eden was made. (Brigham Young, October 7, 1860, JD 8:195.)

See also “Adam-ondi-Ahman” and “Garden of Eden” in Encyclopedia of Mormonism.

Bibliography
Cowley, Matthias F., ed. Wilford Woodruff: History of His Life and Labors. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1964, p. 481

Journal of Discourses. 26 vols. London: Latter-day Saints’ Book Depot, 1854-1886.

Smith, Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Selected by Joseph Fielding Smith. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1938, p. 157.

Smith, Joseph Fielding. The Way to Perfection. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1966, p. 290.

Image of Adam-ondi-Ahman. BYU Religious Education Archive. 2003-05. 31 March 2007. < http://relarchive.byu.edu/>.