Malachi 4

Second Coming — The Burning 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. Malachi 4:1

The day of the Lord's coming will burn like an oven, consuming pride and wickedness like dry straw. Moroni quoted this to Joseph Smith, and the Lord repeats it in modern revelation.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 25:1 — same verse given by Christ
• alluded to by D&C 64:24 — all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble
• quoted by Joseph Smith—History 1:37 — Moroni quotes the verse with variation

Sun of Righteousness

Sun of Righteousness — the rising light of the righteous One who brings healing (Book of Mormon writers render it 'Son of Righteousness')

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Malachi 4:2

Like the sunrise after a long night, Christ rises on the faithful with healing in His rays. Nephi and Ether saw this fulfilled when the risen Son of Righteousness appeared and healed the people.

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

• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 25:2 — same verse given by Christ
• alluded to by 2 Nephi 26:9 — the Son of righteousness shall appear unto them; and he shall heal them
• the same title in Ether 9:22 — he saw the Son of Righteousness

Jehovah, Giver of the Law

Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Malachi 4:4

The One who gave the law to Moses at Horeb speaks here. The resurrected Jesus told the Nephites, 'I am he that gave the law,' and the law itself pointed to Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — Behold, I am he that gave the law
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 25:4 — same verse given by Christ

Second Coming — Elijah Before the Great Day

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: Malachi 4:5–6

Before the Lord's great day, Elijah comes to bind families together so the earth is prepared for His coming. Elijah restored these sealing keys in the Kirtland Temple right after the Lord Jesus appeared there, declaring the day of the Lord near.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by D&C 110:13-16 — Elijah comes, fulfilling Malachi, and declares the great and dreadful day near
• quoted by D&C 2:1-3 — Moroni's rendering: I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah
• quoted by Joseph Smith—History 1:38-39 — Moroni quotes these verses to Joseph Smith
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 25:5-6 — same verses given by Christ