Unraveling the Prophecy of Malachi and Mystery of Elijah - Part 2
Part 1 introduced the Savior’s reference to the prophecy of Malachi to the Nephites. This was after commanding them to add the prophecy of Samuel the Lamanite to their records. Jesus explained the scriptures to the Nephites but His explanation is not recorded only mentioned. Survivors of the cataclysmic events knew of future events because of the Lord’s explanation. Adding the prophecies of Samuel and Malachi are for the benefit of people in the last days. The Gentiles, Lehi’s descendants and Israel’s scattered people when gathered.
Nephi and Jesus spoke of Malachi’s prophecy with other passages included. Discerning how the prophecies relate to one another can be difficult if no explanation is given.
A key to identifying how the prophecies relate is to identify a pattern and see if it is repeated in other references. A pattern in Malachi’s prophecy is mentioned in the beginning of his prophecy:
“After Jesus explained all the scriptures as one consistent whole to them, He commanded them to teach what He had explained to them.”
The LDS temple ceremony contains a phrase with Masonic roots. Within the ceremony is the following statement:
“All truth may be circumscribed into one great whole.”
The definition of “circumscribed” is “restricted, limited, or enclosed within clear boundaries.” Jesus explained the scriptures “as one consistent whole” suggesting the prophecies and doctrine may be assembled like puzzle pieces to form a comprehensive truth. With a puzzle, the picture is not complete until all pieces are assembled. The Savior accomplished that for the Nephites. As the Lord did that for the Nephites, Joseph of Egypt foretold a day when the same would happen for us:
“Therefore your offspring will write, and Judah’s offspring will write. The Lord says: The things your offspring write, and the things Judah’s of
fspring write, will grow together in order to expose false doctrines, settle disputes, and establish peace among your offspring and bring them, in the last days, to understanding their ancestors and comprehending My covenants” (CofC 2 Nephi 2:4; emphasis added).
The records of Judah and Joseph “grow together” [implying over time] when doctrinal truths assemble to complete a unified body of truth. In the Savior’s quote of Malachi we find word cues recognized by familiar patterns in the scriptures. In part 1 some cues were provided. They are repeated in Part 2 to show how they form a prophetic pattern. At the beginning of the Lord’s reference to Malachi’s prophecy He quotes:
“. . .This is what the Father said to Malachi: I’ll send My messenger and He’ll prepare the way before Me [Aaronic, Spirit of Elias, angel, John the Baptist], and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple [to accept the temple after the messenger prepares the way], the messenger of the covenant [Spirit of Elijah, Patriarchal Fathers] whom you delight in, He will come, says the Lord of Hosts. But who can endure the day of His coming? And who will be able to stand when He appears? For He’s like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap. He’ll sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He’ll purify the sons of Levi [Aaronic, temple workers] and refine them as gold [sanctified, Melchizedek] and silver [Aaronic, lesser degree of sanctification], that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness. . .” (CofC 3 Nephi 11:1; emphasis added).
Three individuals are mentioned in the beginning of this prophecy. Malachi’s record provides word cues or key words to explain the role of the first individual. The Lord sends a messenger who “prepares the way before Me.” The person referred to as “Me” is the Lord. Before the Lord comes it is necessary for Him to send His messenger to “prepare the way before Me.”
The phrase “prepare the way before me”[1] relates to John the Baptist and his role in ending the dispensation of Moses in preparation for a new dispensation Jesus introduces.
In a sermon about different priesthood levels, Joseph Smith said the following about John the Baptist as an “Elias” to prepare for the Savior’s mortal ministry.
“The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of God, which is the Priesthood of Elias, or the Priesthood that Aaron was ordained unto. And when God sends a man into the world to prepare for a greater work, holding the keys of the power of Elias, it was called the doctrine of Elias, even from the early ages of the world. John's mission was limited to preaching and baptizing; but what he did was legal. . . What I want to impress upon your minds is the difference of power in the different parts of the Priesthood, so that when any man comes among you, saying, "I have the spirit of Elias," you can know whether he be true or false; for any man that comes, having the spirit and power of Elias, he will not transcend his bounds. John did not transcend his bounds, but faithfully performed that part belonging to his office; and every portion of the great building should be prepared right and assigned to its proper place; and it is necessary to know who holds the keys of power, and who does not, or we may be likely to be deceived. That person who holds the keys of Elias hath a preparatory work” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pp. 385-386, emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition.
John the Baptist was the “Elias” in the days of Jesus. However, it’s important to note the doctrine of Elias existed “from the early ages of the world” preceding John the Baptist. Malachi’s prophecy refers to an Elias doctrine.[2] (essential footnote). This points to a pattern established after Adam’s fall which ends a prior dispensation with an “Elias” figure. This is in preparation for a new dispensation head to begin a new dispensation.
At the beginning of the latter-day dispensation for the Gentiles we see the Elias pattern repeated by Joseph Smith. In the same discourse on Elias, Elijah, and Messiah Joseph Smith said of his ordination:
“. . . But I was informed that this office did not extend to the laying on of hands for the giving of the Holy Ghost; that that office was a greater work, and was to be given afterward; but that my ordination was a preparatory work, or a going before, which was the spirit of Elias; for the spirit of Elias was a going before to prepare the way for the greater, which was the case with John the Baptist. He came crying through the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." And they were informed, if they could receive it, it was the spirit of Elias; and John was very particular to tell the people, he was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 384, emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition).
Joseph Smith was sufficiently successful in his preparatory role as “Elias” to organize a people and construct an acceptable temple to the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio. In the capacity of Elias, an Aaronic Office, Joseph Smith offered a dedicatory prayer for the only temple to be acknowledged by the Savior personally in this Gentile dispensation. The following quote is an answer to a prayer for covenant with the Lord in recent times. In response the Savior said the following to modern Gentiles, giving them a divine account of events following the dedication of the Kirtland Temple:
“If the gentiles, unto whom the Book of Mormon was given, had hearkened unto the holy ghost, they would have come unto me in Hyrum and Joseph’s day. But they did not hearken, and would not allow me to abide with them in word, and in power, and in very deed.
Hear therefore my words: Repent and bring forth fruit showing repentance, and I will establish my covenant with you and claim you as mine.
I instruct my people to add to their records the following writings:
You have eliminated the account of the revelation of April 3, 1836 [D&C 110]. Therefore add the following account to your record:
On the third day of April 1836, Joseph and Oliver were in the temple in Kirtland, Ohio. The veil was taken from their minds and the eyes of their understanding were opened. They saw the Lord in his glory standing above them and the breastwork of the pulpit; and under his feet appeared as it were a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
I am the Alpha and the Omega; I am he who was slain, I am he who lives; I am your advocate with the Father.
Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me, therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice. Let the hearts of your brethren also rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name. For behold, I have accepted this house and my name shall be here, and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house. Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.
Behold and see: The hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings that shall be poured out and the endowment with which my servants will be endowed in this house. Behold, the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessings I shall pour out upon my people. Even so. Amen” (RE T&C 157:22-29; emphasis added).
In response to the dedicatory prayer given by Joseph Smith, the Lord appeared in the Kirtland Temple and declared:
“I have accepted this house and my name shall be here, and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.”
The construction of the Kirtland Temple and all work preceding it was completed by Joseph Smith in the capacity of “Elias.” When Joseph Smith’s preparations were complete the response was exactly what Malachi foretold in his prophecy quoted by the Savior: “the Lord will suddenly come to His temple [Malachi],” accepted it and placed His name upon it. He withdrew and the third event introduced “the messenger of the covenant, whom ye [the Lord] delight in [Malachi].”
The “messenger of the covenant” refers to the “Spirit of Elijah” spoken of by Joseph Smith. Of this priesthood Spirit Joseph Smith said:
“Now for Elijah. The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the revelations, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of God on the earth; and to receive, obtain, and perform all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the children unto the fathers, even those who are in heaven. Malachi says, "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 heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Now, what I am after is the knowledge of God, and I take my own course to obtain it. What are we to understand by this in the last days? In the days of Noah, God destroyed the world by a flood, and He has promised to destroy it by fire in the last days: but before it should take place, Elijah should first come and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, &c. Now comes the point. What is this office and work of Elijah? It is one of the greatest and most important subjects that God has revealed. He should send Elijah to seal the children to the fathers, and the fathers to the children. Now was this merely confined to the living, to settle difficulties with families on earth? By no means. It was a far greater work. Elijah! what would you do if you were here? Would you confine your work to the living alone? No: I would refer you to the Scriptures, where the subject is manifest: that is, without us, they could not be made perfect, nor we without them; the fathers without the children, nor the children without the fathers. I wish you to understand this subject, for it is important; and if you receive it, this is the spirit of Elijah, that we redeem our dead, and connect ourselves with our [Patriarchal] fathers which are in heaven, and seal up our dead to come forth in the first resurrection; and here we want the power of Elijah to seal those who dwell on earth to those who dwell in heaven. This is the power of Elijah and the keys of the kingdom of Jehovah” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pp. 386-387, emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition.
Joseph Smith provides a generic explanation of the “spirit, power, and calling of Elijah.” Keys to this priesthood were given by God’s voice to many men who were sufficiently faithful for Him to exercise faith in them. The reason for His confidence was their sanctification by receiving the Holy Ghost or the “mind of the Father.” Consequently they become “one” with the Father and Son.[3] Like the Son of God, their will is perfectly aligned with the Father and Son’s. Sanctification of the soul of man literally “forsakes the evil one”[4] chasing darkness away in the face of extreme light and truth or the glory of God.
Those called to this order are trusted with great power and knowledge because they also exercise great restraint in its use. The power is only exercised when God gives His permission to do so.
The Joseph Smith Translation in the Book of Genesis in the Restoration Edition of the Old Covenant explains how Melchizedek and Enoch received this priesthood. Once familiar with the powers associated with this priesthood it is possible to identify others ordained by God who received it. Beginning with Melchizedek we gain insight into the type of person God willingly entrusts with His power.
“Now Melchizedek was a man of faith who wrought righteousness.[5] And when a child, he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained a high priest after the Order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, it being after the Order of the Son of God, which Order came not by man, nor the will of men, neither by father nor mother, neither by beginning of days nor end of years, but of God. And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name.
For God, having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself that everyone being ordained after this Order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course, to put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God, to do all things according to his will, according to his command subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world. And men having this faith, coming up unto this Order of God, were translated and taken up into Heaven.
And now Melchizedek was a priest of this Order, therefore he obtained peace in Salem and was called the Prince of Peace. And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained Heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world, and has said and sworn with an oath that the heavens and the earth should come together, and the sons of God should be tried so as by fire. And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the King of Heaven by his people — or in other words, the King of Peace” (RE Genesis 7:18-20; emphasis added).
The list of priesthood powers contains examples of men in scripture exercising the powers as evidence of their calling to this Holy Order. Among the most prominent are Melchizedek, Enoch, and Elijah. Of these three men, two were translated with their respective cities. Only Elijah was translated into Heaven without his people.
I suspect Elijah’s ascension without a city of peace may be due to the role he plays prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. When the Lord “suddenly comes to His temple,” it is not at His Second Coming. We know this because later in Malachi’s prophecy the Lord sends Elijah with the sealing power to turn the hearts of the Patriarchal Fathers to their children. Fathers in Heaven ministering to their posterity in mortality. It will be when the Lord “has said and sworn with an oath that the heavens and the earth should come together, and the sons of God should be tried so as by fire. . .”
For kingdoms of God on earth to be united with God’s kingdom in Heaven a provision must be made to allow Patriarchal Father’s or the “Powers of Heaven,” to minister to mortal “heirs of salvation” through the covenant made with God. Enoch’s covenant with God was not limited to Enoch alone. God swore an oath by Himself “. . . unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself. . .” The oath made by God to Enoch extended covenant blessings to Enoch’s posterity. The oath by God is immutable. What is left to Enoch and all Patriarchal Fathers and their posterity is to lead them to Abrahamic pursuits of seeking greater knowledge and righteousness.[6] Only then can they learn the “one lesson” allowing them to draw upon the “Powers of Heaven” in the salvation of the living and dead. Literally to do as Melchizedek and Enoch did prior to their ascension.
The trial by fire for the “sons of God” arrives when Heaven descends to earth to join those qualifying as heirs to the Patriarchal priesthood. Those dwelling in Heaven do so in “everlasting burnings.”[7] The sons of God on earth must be sanctified to avoid being consumed by everlasting burnings surrounding those arriving with the Savior from Heaven.
Like Isaiah’s ascent to the Saviors throne to obtain a divine commission to minister on earth. A “seraphim” or highest level for angelic ascent flies to Isaiah with a “live coal” in his hand. A live coal is burning coal. Like Melchizedek who had power to “quench the violence of fire,” a Patriarchal Father who became a “seraphim” was not burned because he is endowed with the power to quench the violence of fire. If fire is robbed of its violent effect, one who is sanctified may be dwell in its midst without harm. The “live coal” could be applied to Isaiah’s lips to purge sin from him making Isaiah a worthy vessel to bear the Lord’s presence and carry His word to Isaiah’s people. A live coal is a metaphor for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The act of a seraphim flying to Isaiah to cleanse and sanctify him is a type for Patriarchal Father’s sent by Christ descending within the “ensign” or pillar to administer sanctification rights to their posterity. If the “sons of God” are righteous they are cleansed and survive the burning at the Savior’s Second Coming. If they have not repented, they are burned to make way for the return of those who dwell in everlasting burnings in whatever space they occupy.
The order of events following the Kirtland Temple dedication suggests the Lord must appear at His house and accept it as His place of habitation on earth. When the Lord “suddenly” comes to His temple and accepts it, authorization is given for the connection between Heaven and earth to be made by Elijah.[8] This opening by Elijah has a broader effect than his personal descent. The opening by Elijah involves many Patriarchal Fathers as evidenced the Lord’s acceptance of the temple in Kirtland.
“As this vision [of the Savior] closed, the Heavens were again opened to their view, and they saw and beheld, and were endowed with knowledge from the beginning of this creation to the ends thereof. And they were shown unspeakable things from the sealed record of Heaven, which man is not capable of making known, but must be revealed by the Powers of Heaven [Patriarchal Fathers with sealing power make these things known to the righteous]. They beheld Michael, the archangel, Gabriel, and Raphael, and divers angels, from Michael or Adam down to the end of time, showing in turns their dispensations, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the Powers of their Priesthood [placing on display the seven rungs on Jacob’s ladder that must be ascended by the righteous]; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; endowing them with knowledge, even here a little and there a little; holding forth hope for the work God was yet to perform, even the revelation of all things which are to come upon the earth until the return of the Lord in glory with His holy angels — to pour out judgment upon the world, and to reward the righteous. And they [Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery] were unable to take it in; therefore, they were commanded to pray and ask to comprehend by the power of the spirit, to bring all things to their remembrance, even the Record of Heaven which would abide in them. Amen and Amen” (RE T&C 157:30-32; emphasis added).
Adam, Noah, and Enoch appeared “with divers angels” to impart knowledge to Joseph and Oliver including “unspeakable things” only to be revealed by the “Powers of Heaven.”
The account of Elisha and his servant surrounded by the Syrian army may be a type for last days events showing how God marshals the Powers of Heaven to save His people at the end of the world.
From a practical perspective, the whore of the earth persecutes the Lord and His people.[9] The difference between opposing sides visually appears numerically overwhelming. The accuser’s dominion will be large and the dominion of the Lord’s people, small. The confrontation will be like David confronting Goliath. There will be a people of faith, “holy ones” who know the Lord and His prophecies who patiently and faithfully await this confrontation with great confidence. When the final assault ensues, the Lord’s servant will be like Elisha with his unseeing servant who is only aware of the Syrian army. At the request of the Lord’s servant the people of the Lord have their spiritual eyes opened to reveal what is previously unseen.
“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early and gone forth, behold, a host encompassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master, what shall we do? And he answered, Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed and said, Lord, I pray you, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire [Patriarchal Father’s, “Powers of Heaven”] round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha [“chosen vessel”] prayed unto the Lord and said, Smite this people, I pray you, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek. But he led them to Samaria [occupied by the Northern Kingdom of Israel]” (RE 2 Kings 2:22; emphasis added).
Elisha was the sole witness to see Elijah ascend to Heaven in the fiery chariot of Israel. Having received a “double portion” of the Spirit of Elijah,[10] Elisha was given spiritual eyes that saw beyond what was obvious to the natural eye. When Elisha [like the seraphim to Isaiah] asked the Lord to open the eyes of the servant he saw the mountains were filled with fiery horses and chariots. This suggests when one man [Elijah] opens the conduit, legions of angels pass through to confront enemies of the Lord and His servants. When the Lord’s servant is confronted by the Lord’s enemy’s, legions of fiery chariots are dispatched to defend the Lord’s servants. Elisha was unshaken by the Syrians because he knew he held the priesthood of Enoch giving him power to “set at defiance the armies of nations.” With spiritual eyes he saw “they that be with us are more than they who be with them.
For Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery their spiritual journey began with translating plates to being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost. Their baptism opened their minds to understanding the more mysterious passages in the scriptures. When an acceptable temple was completed in Kirtland the Lord sent the “Powers of Heaven” to have their spiritual eyes to see “they that be with us are more than they that be with them” allowing them to receive “unspeakable things from the record of Heaven.”
This is the spiritual heritage of those who repent, are baptized and become sanctified by the Holy Ghost. In the last days the hearts of their Patriarchal Fathers turn to them and they begin to understand how promises made by God to the Patriarchal Fathers save them with their kindred dead.
[1] “There was a man sent from God and his name was John. This man was sent as a witness so that he might testify and identify the Light to give everyone a reason to believe through the Messiah. He, John, was not the Light, but he was sent by Heaven as a witness to testify of the Light, and to end the dispensation of Moses, and baptize to begin a new dispensation. The Light enlightens every man who is progressing upward in the cosmos. . . The next day John beheld Jesus coming to him, and said to those who were with him, Behold the Sacrificial Lamb of God, who will redeem from the fall of the creation! And John testified of him to the others, saying, This is him I described before, saying, After me will come a man who has progressed far beyond me, for he existed before me in Heaven. I recognize him, and testify to Israel that he is that Prophet foretold by Moses to whom all must give heed. Therefore I am here baptizing with water to prepare people for him.” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 1:2&9; emphasis added).
[2] “The first spirit was the spirit of Messiah. Adam dwelt in the presence of God. Adam
represents that original fullness. Adam was the first man. Adam received instructions and spoke to God face to face. He dwelt in a temple, from which he was cast out, but he dwelt in
a temple. Therefore, Adam represents the Spirit of Messiah.
The Spirit of Elijah is represented by Enoch who, when the Earth was threatened with
violence and men were to be destroyed because of the wickedness upon the face of the
Earth, was able to gather a people into a city of peace, and to have the Lord come to their
city of peace and remove them from the coming violence and destruction. He is a type of the
Spirit of Elijah because Elijah would likewise later ascend in the fiery chariot into heaven.
He is a type of the Spirit of Elijah, because it is the Spirit of Elijah in that ascent into heaven
that must prefigure the return of the Spirit of Messiah in the last days in order to gather a
people to a place that God will acknowledge, will visit and will shield from the coming
violence that will involve the destruction of the world. And so Enoch becomes the great
type of the Spirit of Elijah, although the name “Elijah” is associated with a man who lived
later still but who duplicated, among a hardened people in a fallen world, the same
achievement as Enoch had accomplished, albeit Enoch did so with a city, and Elijah did it as
a solitary ascending figure, yet it will be Elijah and his spirit which, in the last days, will
likewise prepare a city for salvation and preservation.
Then there is the Spirit of Elias which is represented by Noah, in which everything that had
gone on before was lost. Things begin anew and Noah begins a ministry of attempting to
preserve what was before by preaching repentance. And so Noah as the messenger, or the
Elias, bears testimony of what once was.
In the end, before the Lord’s return, these same three spirits need to have been brought into
the world, in order for the completion of the plan that Adam prophesied about and that was
in the heart of the Lord from before the foundation of the world. The Spirit of Elias
declaring the gospel has to come again into the world, and it did in the person of Joseph
Smith, and in the message that he brought, and in the scriptures that he restored, and in the
message and the practices that he was able to bring about, however short-lived that success
may have been. Elias and the Spirit of Elias came through Joseph Smith into the world.
We have yet to take the Spirit of Elias [Joseph Smith] seriously enough to move on to receive something
further. But we are now facing a crossroads in which it may be possible to restore again and
continue the work and move forward. Moving forward successfully however, will require the Spirit of Elijah. This time the Spirit of Elijah is not to prepare a people so that they might
ascend into heaven but instead to prepare a people so that those who come will not utterly
destroy them. There must be a people prepared to endure the burning that is to come. Just
as Enoch’s people were prepared, shielded and brought worthy to ascend so as not to be
destroyed by the flood, the Spirit of Elijah must prepare people in order for them to endure
the day that is coming that shall burn the wicked as stubble. That will be people living in a
place of peace and they will be the only people who are not at war one with another. They
will be people who accept a body of teachings and allow them to govern their daily walk;
both with each other and with God, so that they receive “commandments, not a few” and
“revelations in their day” because that is what the people of Zion must necessarily be
willing to do. We are promised that one will come who will be part of Jesse and part of Ephraim who will
set in order, whose identity will be established by the work accomplished and not by the
foolishness and prideful claims made by someone who has done nothing. If the work is
done, once it’s completed, you might be able to guess. But any fool can run around claiming
themselves to be whatever their peculiar schizophrenia allows them to claim.
The third spirit that is to return is that spirit which was in the beginning. It is the Spirit of
Messiah, this time the Messiah Himself. This time He will come to His house. He will dwell
there. Everything must be prepared in order for Messiah to return. And so in the end, as it
was in the beginning. Adam being a type who represents dwelling in the presence of God, or
the Spirit of Messiah. In the end it will be Messiah Himself who returns to dwell among a
people who are prepared. This is a chiasm. It is returning to the beginning as the work of
the last days walks backward in time to the point where it all began.
Elias goes before to prepare for a greater work that is coming after, just as the Aaronic
ordinances go before. Joseph Smith said the Spirit of Elias was revealed to him, but “the
Spirit of Elijah holds something more. It holds the revelations, ordinances, endowments and
sealings necessary to accomplish turning the hearts of the fathers to the children by
securing an unbroken thread between the living and the fathers in heaven. This can only be
done in a temple prepared for that purpose.” I’m reading Joseph. Without sealing of living
children to the fathers in heaven, who dwell in glory and who sit upon thrones, the return of
the Lord with Enoch and the other thousands who will accompany him would result in
none escaping the judgments to come.
I do not like the gentile reaction to the word or understanding of “not lawful” or the term
“forbidden.” I think those words convey an idea that today can be easily misunderstood. I
think I would prefer those words to be understood that: it is not wise to tell gentiles
because they will abuse it when they learn it. It is because of that potential for abuse why
man is not capable of making it known but is only to be understood by the spirit. When it
comes to a person by the power of the spirit, it comes to them in a way that helps them
understand who our Lord is and what He is about” (Things that Keep Us Awake at Night, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.13-15; emphasis added).
[3] “From the foregoing account of the Godhead which is given in his revelations, the saints have a sure foundation laid for the exercise of faith unto life and salvation through the atonement and mediation of Jesus Christ, by whose blood they have a forgiveness of sins and also a sure reward laid up for them in Heaven, even that of partaking of the fullness of the Father and the Son through the spirit. As the Son partakes of the fullness of the Father through the spirit, so the saints are, by the same spirit, to be partakers of the same fullness, to enjoy the same glory, for as the Father and the Son are one, so in like manner the saints are to be one in them: through the love of the Father, the mediation of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the holy spirit they are to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ” (RE T&C 110, Lectures on Faith 5:3; emphasis added).
[4] “The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one” (RE T&C 93:11; emphasis added).
[5] “Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen, and why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson — that the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the Powers of Heaven [Heavenly Council] and that the Powers of Heaven cannot be controlled nor handled, only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true, but when we undertake to cover our sins or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the Heavens withdraw themselves, the spirit of the Lord is grieved, and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen” (RE T&C 139:5; emphasis added).
[6] “In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my father, I, Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence. And finding there was greater happiness, and peace, and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the Fathers and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same. Having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a Father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a high priest, holding the right belonging to the Fathers. It was conferred upon me from the Fathers [Melchizedek]: it came down from the Fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning (or before the foundations of the earth) to the present time, even the right of the firstborn (or the first man — who is Adam — or first Father) through the Fathers unto me. I sought for my appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the Fathers concerning the seed” (RE T&C 145, Abraham 1:1; emphasis added).
[7] “Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me. (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 397, emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition).
[8] “Here, then, we have finally arrived at Elijah‘s significance as the one who must first
return. He was not the last one living who held the sealing power, though he did in fact
possess it. Instead, he is vital as the last one to make the ascent from earth to heaven.
He rose up through the fiery corridor, and went to God‘s presence. He joined the ―fathers
in heaven who are to return. He last opened the way by his physical ascent. He will be
the first to physically descend through the fiery corridor to return from heaven to dwell
again on earth. His return will not be made in a temporary opening. We‘ve had plenty of those [Mount of Transfiguration like events and occasions where pillars of fire are manifest]. His return will open a permanent, fixed stairway between the ―fathers in heaven and those who are prepared for the return of Zion. Zion will be overshadowed by the Lord‘s glory. The fiery corridor, or pillar of fire, or ladder to heaven, or conduit into heaven, or chariot of fire, will be opened by Elijah‘s descent. It will
remain over Zion and will be visible there. It will not be temporary. It will be the
place from which the first preparations for the Second Coming begin. At that location a
small group will be prepared to endure this opening. They, and those called to join with
them, will escape being ―utterly wasted‖ at the unveiling of our Lord in glory at His
return. It is Elijah who will restore the hearts of the fathers to the children or, in other
words, he will reestablish the lost corridor between heaven and earth that connects those
in heaven with those on earth.
This fiery path needs to be opened beforehand. The path, once it opens, will allow men
on the earth to be prepared for the coming again of those who are Zion above. . .” (The Mission of Elijah Reconsidered, Denver Snuffer Jr., pp.28-29; emphasis added).
“There will be an opening of the pillar of heaven to prepare the way for the Lord’s return. The
opening at this end is going to be handled by someone who has remained behind, (D&C 7:3, also RE T&C 74:14) and the opening at the far end is going to be the one to whom the assignment was given to open the way for His return; Elijah, the one who was promised (Malachi 4:5-6).
I want to be really clear. I don't expect either of those individuals [John the Beloved or Elijah] to have any public ministry again. (D&C 7:6.) They will have a role in Zion, and those who dwell in Zion are going to have some contact with them. The three Nephites are a great example. They, like John, were given a
similar ministry to remain around and administer until the end of the earth. And they did
minister. Two of the people to whom they ministered were Mormon and Moroni. (Mormon 8:10-
11.) They, like ministering angels (D&C 130:50), ministered to Mormon who in turn ministered
to the public. They ministered to Moroni and kept his hope up in the waning days of that
dispensation. But they did not minister publicly. John [the Beloved, latter-day Elias] will have a role, but the work of Zion is the work of flesh and blood. Mortal men have to extend the invitation for God to return. It requires the Family of God to return, or the "natural fruit" to reappear. (Jacob 5:73.) This must happen because that invitation will be evidence the Lord can safely come without utterly destroying all who are upon the earth. (D&C 2:2-3.) Zion is required, among other reasons, in order for there to be a place and a people to whom the Lord can safely return without utterly destroying the earth. However small, however diminutive it may, be there needs to be a Zion that extends an authorized invitation for the Lord to return. (Zion Will Come, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.16; emphasis added).
[9] “Then I looked and saw the whore of the whole earth. She was spread everywhere across the seas, ruling over the whole earth, among all people of every nation, tribe, and language. And I saw the congregation of the Lamb of God; its numbers were few because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who was spread everywhere across the seas. Nevertheless, I saw that the congregation of the Lamb, who were God’s holy ones, were also there throughout the earth; but their presence was small because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw. And I saw the great mother of abominations assembled in large numbers all over the earth among all Gentile nations to fight against the Lamb of God. Then I saw the power of the Lamb of God descend upon the holy ones of the Lamb’s congregation and upon the Lord’s covenant people, who were scattered across the earth. They were armed with righteousness and God’s power in great glory [Powers of Heaven descend].
And I saw that God’s wrath was poured out upon that wealthy and utterly wicked church, so that wars and reports of wars arose among the nations and tribes of the earth. As these wars and reports of wars arose among the nations that followed the mother of abominations, the Angel told me: God’s wrath is upon the mother of harlots. You’re a witness to all these things. When the time comes that God’s anger is poured out upon the mother of harlots — the wealthy and utterly wicked church of the whole earth, whose foundation is the accuser — then as that happens it will be part of the Father’s work to vindicate the covenants He has made with His people who belong to the house of Israel” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:28-29; emphasis added).
[10] “And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken away from you. And Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me. And he said, You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so unto you but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on and talked, that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into Heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father! The chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof! And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back and stood by the bank of Jordan. And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted here and there, and Elisha went over. (RE 2 Kings 1:10; emphasis added).
Scott Roderick
9/10/2026
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