3 Nephi 23 - 27

As we study the scriptures, it becomes apparent certain prophets were set apart or foreordained to establish a specific revelation, doctrine, prophecy, or work. There are many prophets that saw things concerning the end of the world but to Nephi the angel said -

"...the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 14:25)

Malachi was foreordained to reveal doctrine concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ, the commandment and blessings of the Law of tithing, and the return of Elijah. These important revelations were given by Malachi after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem and departed into the wilderness. To those in the Americas, the Savior -

"...commanded them that they should write the words which the Father had given unto Malachi, which he should tell unto them. And it came to pass that after they were written he expounded them. And these are the words which he did tell unto them, saying: Thus said the Father unto Malachi - " (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 24:1)

A unique difference between the words of Malachi printed in the Old Testament and those in the Book of Mormon is that the revelation came to the people directly through Malachi from the Lord. In the Book of Mormon the revelation of Malachi came directly from the Savior himself.

Of the revelations of Malachi, I am particularly moved by those in the 25th Chapter of 3 Nephi. Of the wicked at his coming is a terrible day -

"FOR behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 25:1)

But of the righteous it is a great day -

"But unto you that fear my name, shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 25:2)

To help his people understand the significance of the coming of Elijah he asks -

"Remember ye the law of Moses, my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 25:4)

Suggesting a simple law that would keep them focused to the coming of the Messiah. But the Savior now tells them, because of the atonement, of a much greater law that would bring eternal blessings -

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord;
6 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." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 25:5 - 6)

It is with this law that families are united, sealed, and endowed with power and blessings for the eternities.