Malachi 3

Messenger of the Covenant

Messenger of the Covenant — the Lord who comes bearing and fulfilling God's covenant

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. Malachi 3:1

The Lord Himself, called the Messenger of the covenant, will suddenly come to His temple. Jesus came to the temple in Jerusalem, appeared in the Kirtland Temple in 1836, and will come to His temple again.

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

• fulfilled by D&C 110:2-4 — the Lord appears in the Kirtland Temple (a fulfillment, not the final one)
• alluded to by D&C 36:8 — I will suddenly come to my temple
• quoted by D&C 133:2 — The Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 24:1 — same verse given by Christ

The Lord Whose Way Is Prepared

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. Malachi 3:1

God promises a messenger to prepare the way 'before me.' Jesus taught that John the Baptist was this messenger, which makes the One whose way is prepared Jesus Himself; in the latter days the restored covenant also goes before His face.

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

• quoted by Matthew 11:10 — Jesus quotes it of John the Baptist
• quoted by Mark 1:2 — Behold, I send my messenger before thy face
• quoted by Luke 7:27 — This is he, of whom it is written
• alluded to by D&C 45:9 — the everlasting covenant sent as a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 24:1 — the risen Christ gives Malachi 3 to the Nephites

Second Coming — Refiner's Fire

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 fullers’ soap: Malachi 3:2–3

His coming will be like a refiner's fire that burns away impurity and like strong soap that scrubs clean. Christ comes to purify His people, including the priesthood, so they can offer an offering in righteousness.

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

• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 24:2-3 — same verses given by Christ
• alluded to by D&C 128:24 — he is like a refiner's fire ... sons of Levi offer an offering in righteousness
• alluded to by D&C 13:1 — 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 from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:5

The coming Lord draws near as judge and witness against those who oppress the widow, fatherless, and stranger. The Father has given all judgment to the Son.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 24:5 — same verse given by Christ
• alluded to by John 5:22 — the Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son

Jehovah, Who Changes Not

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6

Jehovah's unchanging faithfulness is why Israel has not been destroyed. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

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

• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 24:6 — same verse given by Christ
• alluded to by Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever

Jehovah

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 said, Wherein shall we return? Malachi 3:7

The Lord invites wandering Israel to repent and promises to meet them when they turn back. It is the same invitation Christ extends to all.

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

• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 24:7 — same verse given by Christ

Second Coming — Making Up His Jewels

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

Those who fear the Lord and think on His name are recorded and claimed as His jewels 'in that day.' The Lord in the Doctrine and Covenants applies this to His coming, when He gathers the faithful as His own.

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

• alluded to by D&C 101:3 — they shall be mine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 24:16-17 — same verses given by Christ