Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Twenty-One

The Coming of Elijah the Prophet

An improved more glorious description of the reason for the coming Elijah– In the last two verses of the Old Testament, written 400 years before the coming of Christ, Malachi prophesied about the coming of Elijah:  "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 hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse" (Malachi 4:5-6).  The world does not know, but we know that Malachi’s prophesy has been fulfilled.   

During the night of September 21-22, 1823 Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith and told him about the Book of Mormon plates, and he also spoke of temple work and gave Joseph an improved more glorious description of the reason for the coming of Elijah:  "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.  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.  If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming" (D&C 2).

Both versions are correct but the improved version taught by Moroni is intended for people with greater spiritual understanding.  The improved version has additional phrases which if properly understood and applied will qualify us for exaltation in the celestial kingdom.

“Behold, I will reveal unto you the priesthood by the hand of Elijah the Prophet” (D&C 2:1).  Peter, James and John came in June 1829 and restored the Melchizedek Priesthood to Joseph and Oliver.  They gave them the keys of the kingdom, the keys of this dispensation, and the apostleship.  Elijah came in April 1836 and brought the keys of the sealing power, and the Lord thus revealed the total and complete use of the priesthood.  This authorized the priesthood to be used to bind on earth and to seal everlastingly in the heavens.   Through this sealing power all of the ordinances of the gospel are sealed and made eternal so we can enjoy the blessings that come from them both in this life and the next.  (Attend a sealing session and listen closely to the blessings that are pronounced in this most remarkable ordinance)

Other priesthood keys pertaining to the temple were restored to Joseph Smith – First, “Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel…” (D&C 110:11).   This includes missionary work where people are gathered into the Church by entering into gospel covenants.  Missionary work began on this side of the veil in 1830 with missionaries distributing the Book of Mormon.  Furthermore, Joseph Smith taught that the primary purpose of the gathering was to build temples.  (History of the Church 5: 423-24).  With temples and the keys of gathering restored the redemption of the dead commenced on the other side of the veil. 

Second, “After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham (restored the keys of celestial marriage), saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed” (Vs 12).  This promise was given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Genesis 12:3; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14), and it was given to the Nephites.  (See 3 Nephi 20:25)  The promise of eternal increase is given to all those who receive and keep the covenant of celestial marriage.  It takes the ministry of both Elias and Elijah and faithfulness on our part to create eternal families.

Testimony – Priesthood keys operate on both sides of the veil.  Not everyone who desires a celestial marriage will receive that blessing in this life.  But the promise is sure that, either in this life or the next, all who are worthy of it will receive that great blessing.