I’m assuming that the majority of readers already understand that the “Ancient of days” is father Adam and that he is to appear, along with a vast assembly at Adam-Ondi-Ahman.

Your past studies on this subject may have been dominated by the commentaries and writings of some of the great church theologians as mine was. It was good to have had their writings as a foundation, however, assuming that they were always 100% correct led me to confusion and frustration.

Not until I determined to find my own answers in scripture, did this subject come into focus for me. We need to judge the statements of all others by but one golden standard. Joseph Fielding Smith had this to say:

“It makes no difference what is written or what anyone has said, if what has been said is in conflict with what the Lord has revealed, we can set it aside. My words, and the teaching of any other member of the Church, high or low, if they do not square with the revelations, we need not accept them. Let us have this matter clear. We have accepted the four standard works as the measuring yardsticks, or balances, by which we measure every man’s doctrine.” (Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., Doctrines of Salvation, Vol.3, p.203)

Says he “My words, and the teaching of any other member of the Church, high or low”. Joseph Fielding Smith apparently didn’t think himself (or others, “high or low”) to be infallible and in stating so he gave us a great example of humility.

Now let us get to the meat of today’s blog, which takes exception to the idea that the great assembly at Adam-Ondi-Ahman is merely a prelude to the Second Coming and not the real deal. The scriptures teach something completely different and so we “set it aside”, in favor of a more congruent scriptural perspective.

We begin with Daniel chapter 7 and read:

9 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.
10 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…
13 I saw in the night visions, and, 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.
14 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…
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

So there is to be a great assembly, says Daniel “the Ancient of days did sit… thousand thousands ministered unto him, (Adam) and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened… and, 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 (Christ) dominion, and glory, and a kingdom”.

We have a sequence here, which could very well unfold during the period of the fall feasts. The first part, when “the judgment was set, and the books were opened” is preparatory and a prelude to the second. Or when “the Son of man… came to the Ancient of days… And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom”. Said Elder Bruce R. McConkie of this assembly:

“The Father called all spirits before Him at the creation of man, and organized them.” This was the grand council in heaven of which we so often speak. “He (Adam) is the head, and was told to multiply.” He, under Christ, was at the head in preexistence; and he, under Christ, is at the head so far as all things pertaining to this earth are concerned. “The keys were first given to him, and by him to others. He will have to give an account of his stewardship, and they to him.” And as all the spirits of men attended the grand council in preexistence, so all the righteous shall attend a like council at Adam-ondi-Ahman before the winding-up scenes. (The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, p.578-588)

So if “all the righteous shall attend a like council at Adam-ondi-Ahman” it bring up a couple of questions. 1- How will all of the righteous living upon the earth get to Adam-ondi-Ahman, and. 2- If this is not the actual Second Coming, are they to disassemble and repeat the process a second time for the real Second Coming? I’m going to say that the answer to the second question is no, because I believe that AOA is the real deal, or when Christ comes to the members of his church as the Bridegroom.

The scriptures give us a view of how the actual worldwide assembly of the elect is to be accomplished. We go to D&C 103 and read:

15 Behold, I say unto you, the redemption of Zion must needs come by power;
16 Therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man, who shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel.
17 For ye are the children of Israel, and of the seed of Abraham, and ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched-out arm.
18 And as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be.
19 Therefore, let not your hearts faint, for I say not unto you as I said unto your fathers: Mine angel shall go up before you, but not my presence.
20 But I say unto you: Mine angels shall go up before you, and also my presence, and in time ye shall possess the goodly land.

In this passage the Lord makes it clear that the Latter Day Saints are “the children of Israel, and of the seed of Abraham”, he further states “ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched-out arm.” It is because of the very fact that we are in bondage that “the redemption of Zion must needs come by power”!

In verse 18 the Lord says “as your fathers were led at the first, even so shall the redemption of Zion be.” In other words, we are also to be led out of bondage and to our promised Zion. The Lord goes on to say “for I say not unto you as I said unto your fathers: Mine angel shall go up before you, but not my presence. But I say unto you: Mine angels shall go up before you, and also my presence, and… ye shall possess the goodly land.”

When the saints return to Jackson County we shall not only have “angels” to “go up before” us but as the Lord says, “also my presence”! The Lord shall lead us back to redeem “Zion”! So now we know how the main body of the church shall be gathered to “Zion” but what about “the remainder” of the elect, those who are scattered around the globe? We find the answer to this question in scripture as well, we go to Joseph Smith Matthew and read:

27 And now I show unto you a parable. Behold, wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together; so likewise shall mine elect be gathered from the four quarters of the earth…
37 And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other…
44 Then shall be fulfilled that which is written, that in the last days, two shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left;
45 Two shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, and the other left;

In verse 27 the main body of the church, those who will trek back are compared to a “carcass”, to which “eagles” are attracted. Then Lord says “so likewise shall mine elect be gathered from the four quarters of the earth”. That is, to the main body of the church.

From verse 37 we learn that the Lord “shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other”. Thus, the angels are sent out “before him” or in advance of his arrival to gather “the remainder” to the body of the church. Verses 44-45 have reference to this very same event.

We have an even more concise and definitive explanation of this sequence in JST Luke 17:

36 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord, shall they be taken?
37 And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is gathered; or, in other words, whithersoever the saints are gathered, thither will the eagles be gathered together; or, thither will the remainder be gathered together.
38 This he spake, signifying the gathering of his saints; and of angels descending and gathering the remainder unto them; the one from the bed, the other from the grinding, and the other from the field, whithersoever he listeth.
39 For verily there shall be new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

So it is the “angels” who have the assignment of gathering “the remainder” to “whithersoever the saints are gathered”. In Mark chapter 13 we learn precisely what shall be unfolding when the “angels” are “descending and gathering the remainder unto them”, we read:

24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

The inhabitants of the earth shall “see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory” and it is then, even at that precise moment that he shall “send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven”.

Do any of you get the impression from these passages, that this whole process of gathering which will take time and great effort will be repeated twice or that there is to be a dry run? If I don’t hear back from you I’m going to take that as a no. 🙂

We now move on to yet another view of the Second Coming, which I believe, gives us an even more detailed account of what Daniel saw in vision. We go to D&C 133:

37 And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.
38 And the servants of God shall go forth, saying with a loud voice: Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come;
39 And worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters—
40 Calling upon the name of the Lord day and night, saying: O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.
41 And it shall be answered upon their heads; for the presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that burneth, and as the fire which causeth the waters to boil.
42 O Lord, thou shalt come down to make thy name known to thine adversaries, and all nations shall tremble at thy presence—
43 When thou doest terrible things, things they look not for;
44 Yea, when thou comest down, and the mountains flow down at thy presence, thou shalt meet him who rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, who remembereth thee in thy ways.
45 For since the beginning of the world have not men heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath any eye seen, O God, besides thee, how great things thou hast prepared for him that waiteth for thee.

From the above passage we learn that “the servants of God shall go forth… Calling upon the name of the Lord day and night, saying: O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence”. And how shall the Lord respond to their pleas? We read:

”And it shall be answered upon their heads; for the presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that burneth, and as the fire which causeth the waters to boil… thou shalt come down to make thy name known to thine adversaries, and all nations shall tremble at thy presence… when thou comest down, and the mountains flow down at thy presence”…

When the Lord appears in response to the pleadings of his saints it will apparently be known to the entire world. In addition to the physical changes mentioned, we read “thou shalt come down to make thy name known to thine adversaries” so the Lord apparently intends to put his enemies on notice! His coming as the Bridegroom is not actually going to he a big secret, however, this specific appearance is to the elect who are gathered as we have said. We continue reading from section 133:

46 And it shall be said: Who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments; yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in his glorious apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength?
47 And he shall say: I am he who spake in righteousness, mighty to save.
48 And the Lord shall be red in his apparel, and his garments like him that treadeth in the wine-vat.
49 And so great shall be the glory of his presence that the sun shall hide his face in shame, and the moon shall withhold its light, and the stars shall be hurled from their places.
50 And his voice shall be heard: I have trodden the wine-press alone, and have brought judgment upon all people; and none were with me;
51 And I have trampled them in my fury, and I did tread upon them in mine anger, and their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments, and stained all my raiment; for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart…

The Lord, who shall be “red in his apparel” shall speak to the inhabitants of the earth, saying “I am he who spake in righteousness, mighty to save… I have trodden the wine-press alone, and have brought judgment upon all people; and none were with me; And I have trampled them in my fury, and I did tread upon them in mine anger, and their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments, and stained all my raiment; for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart…”

From the following verses we learn just who “shall be in the presence of the Lamb” when he comes:

54 Yea, and Enoch also, and they who were with him; the prophets who were before him; and Noah also, and they who were before him; and Moses also, and they who were before him;
55 And from Moses to Elijah, and from Elijah to John, who were with Christ in his resurrection, and the holy apostles, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, shall be in the presence of the Lamb.
56 And the graves of the saints shall be opened; and they shall come forth and stand on the right hand of the Lamb, when he shall stand upon Mount Zion, and upon the holy city, the New Jerusalem; and they shall sing the song of the Lamb, day and night forever and ever.

When we consider that everyone from “Enoch… to John”, as well as all of “the prophets who were before him” “shall be in the presence of the Lamb”, we see a striking resemblance to Daniel’s words, wherein he says, “the Ancient of days did sit… thousand thousands ministered unto him, (Adam) and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened… and, 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 (Christ) dominion, and glory, and a kingdom”.

We also learn that at this time “the graves of the saints shall be opened; and they shall come forth and stand on the right hand of the Lamb, when he shall stand upon Mount Zion, and upon the holy city, the New Jerusalem”. It shall be the first time of resurrection for the righteous, which is millennial, but not the last. There shall also be a resurrection when Christ appears to the Jews (see D&C 45:44-46) and yet another at the end of the half-hour of silence. (see D&C 88:95-98)

It’s easy to find those “high or low”, who are willing to share their views in regard to the Second Coming but backing them up with scripture is entirely a different matter! We read yet another quote form Joseph Fielding Smith:

“The books, writings, explanations, expositions, views, and theories of even the wisest and greatest men, either in or out of the Church, do not rank with the standard works. Even the writings, teachings, and opinions of the prophets of God are acceptable only to the extent they are in harmony with what God has revealed and what is recorded in the standard works. When the living oracles speak in the name of the Lord or as moved upon by the Holy Ghost, however, their utterances are then binding upon all who hear, and whatever is said will without any exception be found to be in harmony with the standard works. The Lord’s house is a house of order, and one truth never contradicts another.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 203-204.)

The fact that “the prophets of God” will occasionally utter or write something that is not “in harmony with what God has revealed and what is recorded in the standard works” is not actually any great tragedy, for they like us are merely mortal. No, the true tragedy would be if the revelations were not true and of course, that is not the case!

So in addition to what has been said about Adam-Ondi-Ahman being the real Second Coming, what else have we learned today? Hopefully, we have learned that we each have a responsibility to study the standard works in an effort to gain our own witness and understanding. May the Lord bless each of us in our own individual efforts!

If you have a keen interest in the Second Coming I’d like to invite you to download a FREE copy of my new book “The Bridegroom Cometh”. Just click the book image below… enjoy!