Collection of Sacred Hymns/This Earth Was Once a Garden Place

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This Earth Was Once a Garden Place
by William W. Phelps

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This Earth Was Once a Garden Place (or Adam-ondi-Ahman) was first published in the June 1835 issue of Messenger and Advocate and the first Latter Day Saint hymnal, Collection of Sacred Hymns (Kirtland, Ohio) in 1836.

The text below is from the first church hymnal. (See Adam-ondi-Ahman, first version transcription of printing in June 1835 issue)

7069This Earth Was Once a Garden PlaceWilliam W. Phelps

          HYMN 23. P. M.

1 This earth was once a garden place,
    With all her glories common;
  And men did live a holy race,
  And worship Jesus face to face,
    In Adam-ondi-Ahman.

2 We read that Enoch walk'd with God,
    Above the pow'r of Mammon:
While Zion spread herself abroad,
And saints and angels sung aloud
   In Adam-ondi-Ahman.

3 Her land was good and greatly blest,
    Beyond old Israel's Canaan:
Her fame was known from east to west;
Her peace was great, and pure the rest
    Of Adam-ondi-Ahman.

4 Hosanna to such days to come—
    The Savior's second comin'—
When all the earth in glorious bloom,
Affords the saints a holy home
    Like Adam-ondi-Ahman.