Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
The theme of the Old Testament is an invitation to "return to God" (see Malachi 3:7). Our study this year has helped us connect with God and come closer to Him. Malachi focuses on returning to God and invites us to hear Him and invite Him into our hearts. This week's reading gives practical ways to do this and how we can help others on their covenant path.
Brigham Young: “The worst fear I have about this people is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and His people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell.” (quoted in Preston Nibley, Brigham Young: The Man and His Work [1936], 128)
Malachi teaches how to return to God:
To us hear God and ‘lay it to your heart:'
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “John the Baptist did this very thing in the meridian of time, but it remained for Joseph Smith to perform the glorious work in our day. He is the latter-day messenger who was sent to restore the gospel, which itself prepares a people for the return of the Lord” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 629.)
“The Lord purifies us. Like clean, white cloth or brightly shining silver, the end product of our purification is something beautiful and valuable—a soul perfected in virtue and holiness. We can attain this state only with the Lord’s help and in His way.
“The purification process can be harsh and difficult. The trials of this life are not only unavoidable but also necessary. We must be “willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us]” (Mosiah 3:19) so that we can become like Him.
“The Lord is with us through our trials. The refiner of silver and the fuller of cloth could not set their processes in motion, walk away, and return later when it was finished. They had to be there at every stage and see it through to the end. Likewise, the Lord is not distant from us in our trials but is intimately engaged in our lives.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2016/09/refiners-fire-and-fullers-soap?lang=eng)”
"A tithe is one-tenth of your income. In order to enter the temple, you must be a full-tithe payer.
"Paying tithing is a sacred privilege. When you pay tithing, you show gratitude for all that God has given you and return to Him a portion of what you have received. Tithing is used to build temples and meetinghouses, translate and publish the scriptures, do missionary and family history work, and in other ways build God’s kingdom on earth.
"Your attitude is important in paying tithing. Pay it because you love the Lord and have faith in Him. Pay it willingly with a thankful heart. Pay it first, even when you think you do not have enough money to meet your other needs. Doing so will help you develop greater faith, overcome selfishness, and be more receptive to the Spirit" (For Strength of Youth, p. 38).
“Show love for God by keeping His commandments. For example, by keeping the Sabbath day holy, including by faithfully preparing for and partaking of the sacrament, you show God that you are willing to dedicate one day a week to Him. As you fast and pay tithes and offerings, you show God that His work is more important to you than material things. When you use the names of God and Christ with reverence, never in a vain or casual way, you show you are grateful for all They have done for you.” (For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices)
Moroni used Malachi to teach Joseph Smith
"The climax of Elijah's activity is his appearance shortly before the Messianic time. "He is appointed to lead aright the coming ages, to restore the tribes of Jacob," says Ben Sira of him." (Ecclus. [Sirach] xlviii. 10, 11)
"In the second half of the first Christian century it was expected that Elijah would appear shortly before the coming of the Messiah, to restore to families the purity which in the course of time had become doubtful." ('Eduy. viii. 7; this is the opinion of Johanan b. Zakkai).
"When the archangel Michael blows the trumpet, Elijah will appear with the Messiah, whom he will present to the Jews." ("Otot ha-Mashiaḥ," in Jellinek, "B. H." ii. 62, 125; see Eschatology).
Joseph Smith: “Now, the word turn here should be translated bind, or seal” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 472).
Joseph Fielding Smith: “If Elijah had not come we are led to believe that all the work of past ages would have been of little avail, for the Lord said the whole earth, under such conditions, would be utterly wasted at his coming. Therefore his mission was of vast importance to the world.
“It is not the question of baptism for the dead alone, but also the sealing of parents and children to parents, so that there should be a “whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys and powers and glories,” from the beginning down to the end of time [see D&C 128:18].
“If this sealing power were not on the earth, then confusion would reign and disorder would take place of order in that day when the Lord shall come, and, of course, this could not be, for all things are governed and controlled by perfect law in the kingdom of God” (Salvation for the Living and the Dead,” Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1918, 677–78; see also Doctrines of Salvation, 2:121.)
President Henry B. Eyring: “Many of your ancestors died never having the chance to accept the gospel and to receive the blessings and promises you have received. …
“… There are more temples across the earth than there have ever been. More people in all the world have felt the Spirit of Elijah move them to record the identities and facts of their ancestors’ lives. There are more resources to search out your ancestors than there have ever been in the history of the world. The Lord has poured out knowledge about how to make that information available worldwide through technology that a few years ago would have seemed a miracle. …
“… When you were baptized, your ancestors looked down on you with hope. Perhaps after centuries, they rejoiced to see one of their descendants make a covenant to find them and to offer them freedom. In your reunion, you will see in their eyes either gratitude or terrible disappointment. Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in
Teaching Thoughts:
Brigham Young: “The worst fear I have about this people is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and His people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell.” (quoted in Preston Nibley, Brigham Young: The Man and His Work [1936], 128)
Malachi teaches how to return to God:
- Hear God (2:2).
- Turn your heart to God (2:2)
- Allow God to cleanse you (3:2)
- Accept God’s ordinances and covenants (see 2:4, 5, 8, 10, 14; 3:1).
To us hear God and ‘lay it to your heart:'
- God has sent us his covenant (2:4).
- We can feel how covenants bring “life and peace” (2:5).
- Speak the speak - Have the “law of truth [is] in your mouth” (2:6).
- No “Iniquity … found in your lips” (2:6).
- Walk the walk - Walk with God “in peace and equity” (2:6).
- Be an influencer to “turn many away from [their] iniquity” (2:6).
- Wherever you are, share your knowledge (2:7).
- “Seek the law at God’s mouth (or His spokesmen) (2:7).
- Pay attention to “the messenger of the Lord of Hosts” (2:7).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “John the Baptist did this very thing in the meridian of time, but it remained for Joseph Smith to perform the glorious work in our day. He is the latter-day messenger who was sent to restore the gospel, which itself prepares a people for the return of the Lord” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 629.)
“The Lord purifies us. Like clean, white cloth or brightly shining silver, the end product of our purification is something beautiful and valuable—a soul perfected in virtue and holiness. We can attain this state only with the Lord’s help and in His way.
“The purification process can be harsh and difficult. The trials of this life are not only unavoidable but also necessary. We must be “willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us]” (Mosiah 3:19) so that we can become like Him.
“The Lord is with us through our trials. The refiner of silver and the fuller of cloth could not set their processes in motion, walk away, and return later when it was finished. They had to be there at every stage and see it through to the end. Likewise, the Lord is not distant from us in our trials but is intimately engaged in our lives.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2016/09/refiners-fire-and-fullers-soap?lang=eng)”
"A tithe is one-tenth of your income. In order to enter the temple, you must be a full-tithe payer.
"Paying tithing is a sacred privilege. When you pay tithing, you show gratitude for all that God has given you and return to Him a portion of what you have received. Tithing is used to build temples and meetinghouses, translate and publish the scriptures, do missionary and family history work, and in other ways build God’s kingdom on earth.
"Your attitude is important in paying tithing. Pay it because you love the Lord and have faith in Him. Pay it willingly with a thankful heart. Pay it first, even when you think you do not have enough money to meet your other needs. Doing so will help you develop greater faith, overcome selfishness, and be more receptive to the Spirit" (For Strength of Youth, p. 38).
“Show love for God by keeping His commandments. For example, by keeping the Sabbath day holy, including by faithfully preparing for and partaking of the sacrament, you show God that you are willing to dedicate one day a week to Him. As you fast and pay tithes and offerings, you show God that His work is more important to you than material things. When you use the names of God and Christ with reverence, never in a vain or casual way, you show you are grateful for all They have done for you.” (For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices)
Moroni used Malachi to teach Joseph Smith
- The calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Mal. 3:1; Isa. 11:1, 10–12).
- The restoration of the priesthood and of the sealing keys (Mal. 4:5–6).
- Destruction and purification before and during the Second Coming (Mal. 3:2–3; Mal. 4:1, 3; Acts 3:22–23; Joel 2:30–31).
- Deliverance for the faithful (Mal. 4:2; Joel 2:32).
- Healing of the faithful (Mal 4:2).
- The Second Coming (Mal. 3:1–2).
- The premillennial and millennial state of the faithful (Mal. 3:3–4;Mal. 4:2; Isa. 11:1–9). (https://www.lds.org/ensign/1990/08/moronis-message-to-joseph-smith?lang=eng)
"The climax of Elijah's activity is his appearance shortly before the Messianic time. "He is appointed to lead aright the coming ages, to restore the tribes of Jacob," says Ben Sira of him." (Ecclus. [Sirach] xlviii. 10, 11)
"In the second half of the first Christian century it was expected that Elijah would appear shortly before the coming of the Messiah, to restore to families the purity which in the course of time had become doubtful." ('Eduy. viii. 7; this is the opinion of Johanan b. Zakkai).
"When the archangel Michael blows the trumpet, Elijah will appear with the Messiah, whom he will present to the Jews." ("Otot ha-Mashiaḥ," in Jellinek, "B. H." ii. 62, 125; see Eschatology).
Joseph Smith: “Now, the word turn here should be translated bind, or seal” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 472).
Joseph Fielding Smith: “If Elijah had not come we are led to believe that all the work of past ages would have been of little avail, for the Lord said the whole earth, under such conditions, would be utterly wasted at his coming. Therefore his mission was of vast importance to the world.
“It is not the question of baptism for the dead alone, but also the sealing of parents and children to parents, so that there should be a “whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys and powers and glories,” from the beginning down to the end of time [see D&C 128:18].
“If this sealing power were not on the earth, then confusion would reign and disorder would take place of order in that day when the Lord shall come, and, of course, this could not be, for all things are governed and controlled by perfect law in the kingdom of God” (Salvation for the Living and the Dead,” Relief Society Magazine, Dec. 1918, 677–78; see also Doctrines of Salvation, 2:121.)
President Henry B. Eyring: “Many of your ancestors died never having the chance to accept the gospel and to receive the blessings and promises you have received. …
“… There are more temples across the earth than there have ever been. More people in all the world have felt the Spirit of Elijah move them to record the identities and facts of their ancestors’ lives. There are more resources to search out your ancestors than there have ever been in the history of the world. The Lord has poured out knowledge about how to make that information available worldwide through technology that a few years ago would have seemed a miracle. …
“… When you were baptized, your ancestors looked down on you with hope. Perhaps after centuries, they rejoiced to see one of their descendants make a covenant to find them and to offer them freedom. In your reunion, you will see in their eyes either gratitude or terrible disappointment. Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in
Teaching Thoughts:
- Invite Family History consultants into your home, or class. Have them show us how we can find and take family names to the temple.
- Is it worth it? How has the price that you have paid this year studying the Old Testament been worth it to you and your family?
- The message of the Old Testament – “Return to Christ!”