Adam, a spunky five-year old with dark brown hair and eyes, is about average height and slender built, lives during one of the righteous Jaredite times. His mischievous smile endears all who meet him. He is clearly proud of his name because it is the same as Father Adam, the first man that lived upon the earth. He informs everyone he meets that he wants to grow up to be just like Father Adam. He wants his wife’s name to be Eve, and even if the girl he marries has a different name, he is determined to call her Eve. He desires hundreds of children. He names, well renames, animals with unique sounding names; he even renamed several of the small insects and bugs as well as the bigger animals. He intends to teach his children the truth about Jesus so none of them will kill each other, like Cain killed Abel. He recognizes that Adam taught his children about Jesus, but in his young mind and understanding, he assumes he can do better than Adam.
One of Adam’s favorite pastimes is teasing and picking on his two older sisters, Nediva, age 8 and Beula, age 6. Nediva has beautiful long dark hair that she usually wears pulled back in a leather tie. Adam will obnoxiously pull her tied-back hair and quickly run away with Nedvia angrily chasing him. This and other mischievous pranks Adam does to try to get them into trouble; however, after much complaining from Nediva and Beula, their parents finally wised up and realized that Adam instigates the trouble!
Adam has a younger brother, Reed, age 3, and a baby sister, Tahlia, just a few months old, that he absolutely adores. He loves to hold his sister and he sings to her as he holds her. He also enjoys teasing his younger brother, but not as much as his older sisters.
Besides teasing his older sisters, Adam’s favorite place to be is anywhere outside. He delights in exploring the grassy fields and woods next to him home. He especially enjoys helping his parents tend their flocks and herds. There is a particular large she-goat that adores Adam and comes to him each time he goes outside. The goat will let Adam carefully ride her, with a little help (Adam made sure to emphasize that point, a little help) from his parents. Adam would ride his goat all day if he could. However, he does realize that goats are not meant for riding, but that does not stop Adam!
Friends are a big part of Adam’s childhood. He savors his playtime with his friends. They have quite the imaginations! They sometimes pretend that they are on big barges crossing the great waters. They pretend that they are Noah and on the ark. They pretend they are Father Adam’s family, of course, Adam plays the role of Father Adam. They created many other imaginative games that they enjoy. Many of Adam’s closest friends are cousins that are about his age that live close by. They have a fantastic time and the parents appreciate how well the cousins play together.
Adam also loves to chase the wild animals that are in the forests! He will try to follow a squirrel or a deer or whatever animal that will cross his path. One bright sunny day while Adam was playing outside, a female deer slowly meandered nearby. Excitement lit in Adam’s eyes! He gradually and carefully walked toward the deer, desperately wanting to touch her. The deer, sensing Adam’s approach, starting walking away from Adam. He couldn’t let this deer go. He followed the deer through a grassy field and into some woods. As a five-year old, he did not think about getting lost, his only thoughts were to touch the deer. He continued to follow the deer until she decided to scurry off, disappointing Adam. That was the closest he had ever been to a deer and wanted to be even closer to her.
Adam’s stomach began to rumble so he decided he better go back home. He turned around and began to walk the way that he thought he had come. As he walked, he enjoyed the beauties of the woods while chasing a couple squirrels. He came to a field and chased some robins that were digging for worms. He found a particularly large ant hill that he stuck in stick in. Ants angrily scurried out of their protected home to see what the threat was. Adam decided he did not want ants crawling all over him, so he ran off, leaving them alone. He ate some wild strawberries that were growing on the ground. A brilliant blue and black butterfly fluttered near to him. So of course, he trailed the butterfly, trying to convince it to alight on his outstretched hand. While chasing the butterfly, he faintly heard voices calling his name; his mother and father’s voices. Adam quickly ran to where the voices came from, finding his parents. He hugged them and immediately informed them that he was hungry!
Adam’s mother embraced her son with tears in her eyes. Adam did not understand why she was crying. He asked her, she responded that she was very worried about him and then inquired as to what he was doing. Adam enthusiastically rehearsed all his adventures to his parents. His father gently, but firmly, reminded Adam that he needed to stay near his house unless a grown-up was with him. His father affirmed his great love for him and did not want him to get lost or get hurt. Adam promised his father that he would not wander off again.
Unfortunately, hat was not the first time or the last time Adam wandered off, despite his promise. His parents learned that they need to keep a close eye on him because of his immense love for the outdoors and the animals.
After Adam ate some delicious food, he grabbed his a favorite blanket and curled up on his mattress to rest. His grandmother made the blanket for Adam. It was made of soft woolen fibers dyed in beautiful bright colors. He felt protected with the blanket around him. It was almost like a magic blanket that gives comfort and reassurance. If Adam felt upset for any reason, he would retrieve his blanket, put it around him, and almost immediately felt better. Adam loved that blanket and his Grandmother for making it.
Adam wants people to know that he lived in a righteous Jaredite time and that he grew up to be a strong leader among his people and in the church. He wants us to know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and to follow Him. And, none of his children killed each other!
Jaredite Stories 