3 Nephi 24

Messenger of the Covenant

Messenger of the covenant — the one sent to establish and fulfill God's covenant

And it came to pass that he 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—Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. 3 Nephi 24:1

A forerunner (John the Baptist, and in the last days other messengers) prepares the way, and then the Lord — Jesus Christ, the Messenger of the covenant — suddenly comes to His temple. Jesus says the Father gave these words, so this is the Father testifying of His Son's coming.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Malachi 3:1 — The same verse in Malachi.
• quoted by Matthew 11:10 — Jesus quotes it of John the Baptist as the messenger.
• quoted by Mark 1:2 — Mark opens his Gospel with this prophecy.
• alluded to by D&C 36:8 — The Lord: 'I will suddenly come to my temple.'
• fulfilled by D&C 110:1-4 — The Lord appears in the Kirtland Temple — widely taught as one fulfillment.

Jesus

And it came to pass that he 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—Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. 3 Nephi 24:1

'He' is the resurrected Jesus, who gives the Nephites Malachi's words and explains them. The Nephites had left Jerusalem before Malachi, so they receive this scripture from the Lord Himself.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 3 Nephi 26:2 — Jesus says the Father commanded Him to give these scriptures.

Second Coming

But who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap. 3 Nephi 24:2–4

Christ's coming is like fire that refines metal and strong soap that cleans cloth: it burns away impurity. He purifies His people and His priesthood so they can offer an acceptable offering.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Malachi 3:2-4 — The same verses in Malachi.
• quoted by D&C 128:24 — Joseph Smith quotes the refiner's fire and the sons of Levi offering an offering in righteousness.
• alluded to by D&C 13:1 — John the Baptist restores the Aaronic Priesthood 'until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.'

Judgment

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger, and fear not me, saith the Lord of Hosts. 3 Nephi 24:5

The Lord of Hosts promises to come near in judgment against those who oppress the poor, the widow, and the stranger. The Father has given all judgment to the Son, so it is Christ who comes to judge.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Malachi 3:5 — The same verse in Malachi.
• alludes to John 5:22 — The Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son.

Jehovah

For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 3 Nephi 24:6

The LORD — Jehovah — never changes, and that faithfulness is the only reason covenant Israel has not been destroyed. Latter-day Saints know Jehovah as the premortal Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Malachi 3:6 — The same verse in Malachi.
• alludes to Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Lord of Hosts

Lord of Hosts — Jehovah, commander of the armies of heaven

Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But ye say: Wherein shall we return? 3 Nephi 24:7–12

The Lord of Hosts pleads with Israel to come back to Him and promises to open heaven's windows to those who pay tithes and offerings. The resurrected Christ repeats this invitation and promise to the Nephites.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Malachi 3:7-12 — The same verses in Malachi.
• alluded to by D&C 64:23 — He that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.

Second Coming

Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard; and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. 3 Nephi 24:16–17

Those who fear the Lord and think on His name are remembered, and on the day He gathers His jewels they will be His. In the Doctrine and Covenants Christ uses these same words about His coming.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Malachi 3:16-17 — The same verses in Malachi.
• quoted by D&C 101:3 — They shall be mine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels.