![]() ![]() The Book of Mormon records that the Savior quoted Malachi’s prophecy of Elijah (see 3 Nephi 25:5–6). Jesus later taught these three Apostles that Elijah would return in the last days to “restore all things” (Matthew 7:11 see also 7:1–13 Mark 9:2–13 Luke 9:28–36). The New Testament records that Elijah bestowed the keys of the sealing power on Peter, James, and John when they were with the Savior on the Mount of Transfiguration (see Mark 9:1–9). Compare this with the biblical account: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5–6). If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming” (Joseph Smith-History 1:38–39). And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. ![]() Moroni’s rendition was slightly different from other passages of the same prophecy, as he stated: “Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. This prophecy is spoken of in the New Testament, the words of the Savior to the Nephites in the Book of Mormon (see 3 Nephi 25:5–6), and the words of Moroni to the youthful prophet Joseph Smith as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price. Interestingly, like two prophetic bookends, the last words of the Old Testament (Malachi 4:5–6) and the earliest revelation recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 2) give prophetic promise of Elijah’s mission. This is evidenced by the prophetic promise of his return to the earth (see Matthew 17:1–4) and the fact that each of the standard works contains prophecies of Elijah’s important work. In this, the dispensation of the fulness of times, when there is to be a “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21), the mission of Elijah, the last prophet in the Old Testament to hold the keys of the priesthood, is vital. Dale LeBaron is professor emeritus of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University. ![]()
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