Question
Gramps,
In Doctrine and Covenants section 117 we read: “Is there not room enough on the mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and on the plains of Olaha Shinehah, or the land where Adam dwelt, that you should covet that which is but the drop, and neglect the more weighty matters?”
It appears to me that the Lord is referring to three distinct places, however I do not seem to be able to find much about “the plains of Olaha Shinehah” other then this was likely to be in the vincinity of Adam-ondi-Ahman and possible has been a place where Adam received revelations concerning the universe. (as suggested From Church History and Modern Revelation, Joseph Fielding Smith) Could you tell us more about Olaha Shinehah?
Ruben
Answer
Ruben,
From Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 3:125:
The plains of Olaha Shinehah, or the place where Adam dwelt, must be a part of, or in the vicinity of Adam-ondi-Ahman. This name Olaha Shinehah, may be, and in all probability is, from the language of Adam. We may without great controversy believe that this is the name which Adam gave to this place, at least we may venture this as a probable guess. Shinehah, according to the Book of Abraham, is the name given to the sun. (Abraham 3:13.)
It is the name applied to Kirtland when the Lord desired in a revelation to hide its identity. (D&C 82:1) Elder Janne M. Sjodahl commenting on the name, Olaha Shinehah, has said: “Shinehah means sun, and Olaha is possibly, a variant of the word Olea, which is ‘the moon.’ (Abraham 3:13.) If so the plains of Olaha Shinehah would be the Plains of the Moon and the Sun, so called, perhaps because of astronomical observations there made.”
We learn from the writings of Moses that the Lord revealed to the ancients great knowledge concerning the stars, and Abraham by revelations and through the Urim and Thummim received wonderful information concerning the heavens and the governing planets, or stars. It was also revealed by the Prophet Joseph Smith that Methuselah was acquainted with the stars as were others of the ante diluvian prophets including Adam. So it may be reasonable that here in this valley important information was made known anciently in relation to the stars of our universe.
Gramps
