We have now been in the mission......

Dear family and friends,

We have now been in the mission field at Adam-ondi-Ahman for one month.

We are becoming accustomed to the rural lifestyle and today we planted our tomatoes.

Spring is arriving and the red bud trees are starting to blossom.

We are living on the edge of a hill overlooking the big valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman.

This flat valley of 586 acres is very distinctive from the rolling hills and the surrounding farm land of western missouri. Those who have seen it from the air, tell us it is very distinctive.

This is the valley spoken of in D. & C. 107 verse 53, wherein Adam called his posterity together and bestowed upon them his last blessing. "All that happened at Adam-ondi-Ahman in those early days was but a type and a shadow -a similitude, if you will- of what shall happen at the same blessed place in the last days when Adam and Christ and the residue of men who are righteous will assemble again in solemn worship." see The Millennial Messiah page 580, by Bruce R McConkie.

There is a special feeling about this place and we feel it each time we return from our travels.

There are peaceful groves like missionary grove, and rock out-cropping to sit upon

and contemplate.

We have discovered that home is who you are with, more than where you are living.

Please be good to each other and love your eternal companions and children.

Grandma and Grandpa Banks