“I Will Write It in Their Hearts”
Jeremiah 16; 23; 29; 31; Zechariah 10–14; Malachi
Purpose
To encourage class members to participate in God’s great latter-day work
and to have his law written in their hearts.
Preparation
1. Prayerfully study Jeremiah 16; 23; 29; and 31.
2. Additional reading: Jeremiah 3–9; 13; 30; 32:37–42; 33; 35.
Attention Activity
If you could have witnessed or participated in any story or event in the Old
Testament, which one would you choose?
Why would you like to have witnessed or participated in this event?
What is happening in the Church today that might be comparable to some
of the events you have chosen?
Explain that although Jeremiah had few messages of hope for the people
of his day, he foresaw a time of hope during the latter-day gathering
of Israel. This lesson discusses Jeremiah’s prophecies of the great latter-day
gathering that we are participating in today.
Scripture Discussion and Application
As you teach the following scripture passages, discuss how they apply to
daily life. Encourage class members to share experiences that relate to
the scriptural principles.
1. Jeremiah foresees the latter-day gathering of Israel.
If the story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt is not mentioned in the attention
activity, explain that it is one of the most miraculous events in the Old
Testament. It is referred to in the book of Jeremiah and in other books
of the Old Testament, as well as in the Book of Mormon.
• How did Moses feel about the importance of the Exodus? (See Deuteronomy
4:32–35.) What do you think it would have been like to have been part of
Israel’s exodus from Egypt?
• Many generations later, Jeremiah saw visions of a latter-day event that
the Lord said would be as great as the Exodus (Jeremiah 16:14–16; 23:3–8).
READ Jeremiah 16:14-16
14 ¶ Therefore, behold,
the days come, [a cause and effect type
declaration - it Israel is scattered then she will eventually need to
be gathered.] saith the LORD, that it shall no
more be said, The LORD liveth,
that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; [
In a general conference address Elder LeGrand Richards commented on these
verses: “Just contemplate that statement [vv. 14–15] for a few moments.
Think how the Jews and the Christians all through these past centuries
have praised the Lord for his great hand of deliverance under the hands
of Moses when he led Israel out of captivity, and yet here comes Jeremiah
with this word of the holy prophet. telling us that in the latter days
they shall no more remember that, but how God has gathered scattered
Israel from the lands whither he had driven them. “And Jeremiah saw the
day when the Lord would do this very thing, when he would call for many
fishers and many hunters, ‘and they shall hunt them from every mountain,
and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.’ (Jer. 16:16.)
Where do you find those fishers and hunters that we read about in this
great prophecy of Jeremiah? They are these 14,000 missionaries of this
church, and those who have preceded them from the time that the Prophet
Joseph Smith received the truth and sent the messengers out to share
it with the world. Thus have they gone out, fishing and hunting, and
gathering them from the hills and the mountains, and the holes in the
rocks. I think that is more literal than some of us think!” (In Conference
Report, Apr. 1971, p. 143; or Ensign, June 1971, pp. 98–99.) ]
15 But, The L
ORD liveth,
that brought up the children
of Israel from the land of the north,
and from all the lands whither
he had driven them: and I will bring them
again
into their land [in
a future setting the Lord will restore them to their promised land - a
miraculous delivery just as in the times of Moses] that I gave unto
their fathers.
16 ¶ Behold, I will
send for many fishers,
saith the L
ORD, and they
shall fish
them; and after will I send for many hunters, and
they
shall hunt them from every mountain,
[ Where
do we find the fishers and hunters described in Jeremiah 16:16? They
are these 14,000 missionaries of this church." Le Grand Richards Apr
Conference 1971] and from every hill, and out of the holes of the
rocks.
What do fishers and hunters have in common with
missionaries?
What were the words the Lord used when he called
Peter and Andrew to his work?
Read Matthew 4:18–19
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called
Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were
fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make
you fishers of men.
READ Jeremiah 23:3-8
3 And I
will gather the remnant of
my flock [Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught
that the gathering of Israel first of all means
that they are converted to the Church: “The gathering of Israel consists
of receiving the truth, gaining again a true knowledge of the Redeemer,
and coming back into the true fold of the Good Shepherd. In
the language of the Book of Mormon, it consists of being ‘restored to
the true church and fold of God,’ and then being ‘gathered’ and ‘established’
in various ‘lands of promise.’ (2 Ne. 9:2.)” (“Come: Let Israel Build
Zion,” Ensign, May 1977, p. 117.) Speaking of the great latter-day restoration
of the house of Israel,
President Spencer W. Kimball said: “A great group
of people left the Old World at the time of the Tower of Babel. “Another
great group left the Old World [in] 600 B.C. And since the coming of
Columbus to America, there have been numerous groups that have come to
America from the Old World. The Lord had that in hand and watched it.
He said through Nephi, ‘The house of Israel [sooner or later will] be
scattered upon all the face of the earth.’ (1 Nephi 22:3.) And now He
says, ‘I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither
I have driven them.’ (Jeremiah 23:3.) “The gathering of Israel is now
in progress. Hundreds of thousands of people have been baptized into
the Church. Millions more will join the Church. And this is the way that
we will gather Israel. The English people will gather in England. The
Japanese people will gather in the Orient. The Brazilian people will
gather in Brazil. Once one understands that the great gathering
of the last days consists first of all in coming into the covenant (joining
the Church), then the Old Testament prophecies of the restoration of
the house of Israel become much clearer. For example, the “shepherds
. . . which shall feed them” (v. 4) are the righteous prophets and priesthood
leaders who, unlike the priests and prophets of Jeremiah’s time, lead
their people to do good and obey the Lord.] out of all countries
whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds;
and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4 And
I will set up shepherds over
them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed,
neither shall they be lacking, saith the L
ORD.
5 ¶ Behold, the days
come, saith the L
ORD, that I will raise unto David a
righteous Branch, and
a King shall reign and
prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in
the earth.
6 In his days Judah shall
be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely:
and this
is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
7 Therefore, behold, the
days come, saith the L
ORD, that they shall no more say,
The L
ORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel
out of the land of Egypt;
8 But, The L
ORD liveth,
which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country,
and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell
in their own land.
What events are described in these verses of Jeremiah
16:15 and 23:3? (The gathering of
Israel and the growth of the Church.)
Who are the shepherds spoken of in
Jeremiah 23:4? (Priesthood leaders and other Church leaders.)
Who is the
King spoken of in Jeremiah 23:5–6? (Jesus Christ.)
Do you think this gathering is as miracleous as great as the Exodus from
Egypt?
During the exodus from Egypt the children of Israel relied on Moses to receive
revelation for them during their sojourn in the wilderness.
But what did Moses desire as he lead the
children of Israel? Clue:Numbers
11:29?
29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all
the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit
upon them! (He wanted the people to learn God’s law
and learn to listen to the Spirit for themselves.)
What is the signifigance of just following the prophet in every detail and
listening to the spirit ourselves?
Let's look at a few verses that tell us what the Lord says he will do
with Israel as they return to him.
READ Ezekiel 11:17-20
17 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I
will even gather you
from the people,
and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and
I will give you the land of
Israel.
18 And they shall come
thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and
all the abominations thereof from thence.
19 And I will give them
one heart, and
I
will put a new spirit within
you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will
give them an heart of
flesh:
20 That they may
walk in
my statutes, and
keep mine ordinances,
and do them: and
they shall be my people,
and I will be their God.
READ Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the
LORD, that I will make a new covenant [
What is this new covenant? Different
one from the one made at Sinai, (D&C
133: 57) everlasting covenant, even the fulness of my gospel.] with
the house of Israel,
and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the
covenant that
I made with their fathers [ Who
did the Lord make the original covenat with? Abraham What
was the covenant that he man with them when he took them out of Egypt? Moses
at Sinai the covenant was the 10 commandments ] in
the day
that I
took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my
covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the L
ORD:
33 But this
shall be the covenant that
I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the L
ORD,
I will
put my law in
their inward parts,
[ What
do you suppose he means by that statement? when
we put the law in our inward parts we destroy the natural man, with the
law in our inward parts we will want only to do the right and no desire
to do evil] and
write it in their hearts;
[ What does
it mean to have God’s law written in our hearts? What
must we do to have God’s law written in our hearts? He starts off
talking about new covenants - What
is the relationship between covenants and writing the law in our hearts?
Is our behavior any different when we
have God's law written in our hearts?
How is our behavior affected when we
have God’s law written in our hearts? What
do we do differently when we have God's law written in our hearts?
a. Loving our neighbors.
b. Honoring our parents.
c. Being morally clean.
d. Keeping the Sabbath day holy.
e. Choosing appropriate movies, television programs, books, and magazines.
f. Wearing modest clothing.
g. Selecting suitable music.
• Joseph Smith was once asked how he successfully governed so many people.
He said, “I teach the people correct principles and they govern themselves”
(quoted by John Taylor, in Journal of Discourses, 10:57–58).
How does this statement relate to having God’s
law written in our hearts?
] and
will
be their God,
[we
we do that there is no question who is our God] and
they
shall be my people.
[We become his literal
heirs to the kingdom, not as tenents in common, but as joint heirs - ALL
that he has becomes ours.]
34 And they
shall teach no more every man his neighbour, [
At this time - why will there be
no more need for teaching? We
will not need to teach the truth - it will abound everywhere everyone
will see God for who and what he is and want to be like him, follow him.
President Joseph Fielding Smith, speaking of this prophetic promise,
said: “The Lord has promised that the time shall come when every man
shall be his own teacher, that is, he will know because of righteous
living what to do. He will be so filled with the Spirit of the Lord that
he will be guided and directed in doing right without the necessity of
someone coming into his home to set it in order. Now is a good time for
us to begin.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:319.)] and
every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they
shall all know me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD:
for I will forgive their iniquity,
and I will remember their sin no more.
Jerimiah started off by speaking about a new
covenant that the Lord would make with his people - What is the purpose
of this new covenant?
READ D&C 133:57-60
57 And
for
this cause,
[ or I am telling you that
this is the reason for the new covenant spoken of in Jeremiah 31:31-34] that
men might be made partakers of
the glories which
were to be revealed, the
Lord sent forth the fulness
of his gospel,
[ Which
is - or what is entailed in the fulness of the gospel. There
is only one church that contains the fullness of the gospel, only one
church that claims to have the power today to seal on earth and in
heaven, there is only one true church that does not put limits on the
Saviors power, the atonement, baptism as an earthly ordinance required
by all to enter his kingdom...] his everlasting
covenant,
[or the eternal nature of those
covenants that we can make with him.] reasoning
in plainness and simplicity—
[when
you really think about it the gospel is so simple. ]
58
To prepare the weak [ Who
is this for? The weakest! ] for
those things which are coming on the earth,
[ How
does knowning what is coming prepare us? ] and
for
the Lord’s errand [ What
is the Lords errand? To bring
to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.] in
the day when the weak shall confound the wise,
[ How
will we know when it is happening? The
weak will confound the wise! What
does that mean? Missionaries,
those who teach and are lead humbly by the spirit - have the answers
that the learned do no have.] and the little one become a strong nation,
and
two shall put their tens of thousands to flight.
[ How
do missionaries travel? in two's ]
59 And by the weak things
of the earth
the Lord shall thrash [ What
is the result of thrashing? The
grain is collected from the shaft and the husks! ] the nations
by the power of his Spirit.
60
And
for this cause these commandments were given;
[This
is the reason why the Lord wanted to give these ordinances and covenants
to the children of Israel in the first place see Ex 19:5 The Lord wanted
to renew with them the covenant he had made with their father Abraham.
After they were so empowered they were to return again to the lands
that were given them for their inheritance and build a temple to their
God.] they were commanded to be kept from
the world in the day that they were given,
[ Remember
what happened with Moses on Mt Sinai? See
Inspired version Ex 34:1 The second set of tablets given to Moses contained
a lesser law than the first set. (compare Exodus 34: 1-2, 14; Doctrine
and Covenants 84: 21-26)
1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two other tables of stone,
like unto the first, and I will write upon them also, the words
of the law, according as they were written at the first on the
tables which thou brakest; but it shall not be according to the
first, for I will take away the priesthood out of their midst;
therefore my holy order, and the ordinances thereof, shall not
go before them; for my presence shall not go up in their midst,
lest I destroy them.
2 But I will give unto them the law as at the first, but it shall
be after the law of a carnal commandment; for I have sworn in my
wrath, that they shall not enter into my presence, into my rest,
in the days of their pilgrimage. Therefore do as I have commanded
thee, and be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto
mount Sina] but now are to go forth
unto all flesh—
Change gears a little!
What are your thoughts or feelings when you hear the words "second Coming",
last days or signs of the times?
How many think that you will be alive to see it?
READ Malachi 4:5
5 ¶ Behold, I will send you Elijah the
prophet [1) Elijah literally returned to give
the key's to Joseph Smith D&C 2; 2) the purpose of the ancient prophet
Elijah was to overthrow the current political regime and all of their idolatry
- the priests of Baal. So it will be that Elijah will prepare the way to
the overthrowing of the political leaders of our day and their idolatrous
practices.] before the
coming of the great and
dreadful day of the LORD:[ How
is the second coming going to be both great and dreadful? President
Ezra Taft Benson said, “[The Savior’s] coming will be both glorious and
terrible, depending on the spiritual condition of those who remain” (“Prepare
Yourself for the Great Day of the Lord,” New Era, May 1982, 49). ]
Both Zechariah and Malachi prophesy of many events of the last days. Let's
turn our attention to a few of tose prophecies.
READ Malachi 3:1-3
a. Malachi 3:1-3. Malachi prophesied that a messenger would prepare the
way for the coming of the Lord. John the Baptist prepared the way for
the Lord’s mortal ministry, and Joseph Smith is the messenger who prepared
the way for the Second Coming (see Matthew 11:10; Joseph Fielding Smith,
Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 1:193–95,
3:10–14).
1 B
EHOLD, I
will send my
messenger,
[John
The Baptist, Joseph Smith Who were the Messengers
that have been sen to Prepare the Way of the Lord? One
of the messengers sent to prepare the way of the Lord at His first coming
was John the Baptist. John’s mission was performed in the spirit and power
of the priesthood of Elias (see Luke 1:17). Elias is a name for a forerunner,
one who goes before or prepares the way for someone or something greater.
In that sense the Aaronic Priesthood is the priesthood of Elias because
it prepares and qualifies individuals for greater blessings. Joseph Smith
explained: “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.”(Teachings of
the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 335–36.) Joseph Smith was also an Elias in
that he was a forerunner, one who prepared the way, who laid the foundation
for the Second Coming through the restoration of the gospel. In the meridian
of time the way was prepared by John for the Messenger of the Covenant
Himself to come and bring the greater blessings (see Matthew 3:1–3, 11–12).
He who was mightier than John and followed after him to baptize with fire
and the Holy Ghost was Jesus Christ, the son of God. He is called the Messenger
of the Covenant because He mediates the gospel of salvation unto men. Elder
Bruce R. McConkie explained: “Our Lord is the Messenger of the Covenant.
(Mal. 3:1.) He came in his Father’s name (John 5:43), bearing his Father’s
message (John 7:16–17), to fulfil the covenant of the Father that a Redeemer
and Savior would be provided for men. (Moses 4:1–3; Abra. 3:27–28.) Also,
through his ministry the terms of the everlasting covenant of salvation
became operative; the message he taught was that salvation comes through
the gospel covenant.” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 488.) When He comes to earth
a second time, He will make more than one appearance before He comes in
the clouds of heaven for all flesh to see Him together (D&C 88:93;
101:23). At least one of those appearances includes a sudden visit to His
temple, yet to be built, in Jackson County, Missouri. ] and he shall
prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek,
shall
suddenly come to his temple,
[Elder
McConkie stated: “Malachi recorded the promise, speaking of latter-day
events, that ‘The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple.’
(Mal. 3:1.) Certainly the Almighty is not limited in the number of appearances
and returns to earth needed to fulfill the scriptures, usher in the final
dispensation, and consummate his great latter-day work. “This sudden latter-day
appearance in the temple does not have reference to his appearance at the
great and dreadful day, for that coming will be when he sets his foot upon
the Mount of Olivet in the midst of the final great war. The temple appearance
was fulfilled, in part at least, by his return to the Kirtland Temple on
April 3, 1836; and it may well be that he will come again, suddenly, to
others of his temples, more particularly that which will be erected in
Jackson County, Missouri. “In this connection it is worthy of note that
whenever and wherever the Lord appears, he will come suddenly, that is
‘quickly, in an hour you think not.’ (D. & C. 51:20.) His oft repeated
warning, ‘Behold, I come quickly’ (D. & C. 35:27), means that when
the appointed hour arrives, he will come with a speed and a suddenness
which will leave no further time for preparation for that great day.” (Mormon
Doctrine, pp. 693–94.)] even the messenger of
the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the L
ORD of
hosts.
2 But
who
may abide the day of
his coming? [“Who
May Abide the Day of His Coming?” The Lord’s
return to earth in glory will be a great and dreadful day. As John the
Baptist told the Jews, the Savior will gather in the wheat (the righteous),
and the chaff (the wicked) He will burn with “unquenchable fire” (Matthew
3:12). The only ones who survive will be those who have kept their covenants
with the Lord or who are worthy of at least a paradisiacal, or terrestrial,
glory. All wickedness will be destroyed from the earth.] and
who
shall stand when he appeareth? [ What
is the difference between his coming to the earth the first time and
his second coming? President Joseph Fielding
Smith said: “When Christ comes the second time it will be in the clouds
of heaven, and it shall be the day of vengeance against the ungodly,
when those who have loved wickedness and have been guilty of transgression
and rebellion against the laws of God will be destroyed. All during the
ministry of Christ wickedness ruled and seemed to prevail, but when he
comes in the clouds of glory as it is declared in this message of Malachi
to the world, and which was said by Moroni to be near at hand, then Christ
will appear as the refiner and purifier of both man and beast and all
that pertains to this earth, for the earth itself shall undergo a change
and receive its former paradisiacal glory.” (Doctrines of Salvation,
3:11.] for he
is like a
refiner’s fire,
[in
order to purify metals, they have to subject to extreme heat, this heat
causes the dross to float to the top so it can be removed simply by scraping
it off. So too will the Lord test all religion and all saints to see
how they measure in purity. This will undoubtly cause some conflict of
doctrine as the Lord's trueth is expounded and the doctrines of man are
confounded.] and like fullers’ soap:
3 And
he
shall sit as a refiner [ What
does a refiner need to do his job? A
hot fire, time and Patience as the process cannot be rushed, Knowledge
and understanding of what it takes to refine the silver. The process
to refine is well defined, and is required in order to purify metal,
it cannot be cheated but must be meet for purity - or pure doctrine.] and
purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi,
and purge them as gold and silver,
that they [the
sons of Levi] may offer unto the LORD an offering in
righteousness.
[ What
Is the Offering in Righteousness to Be Made by the sons of Levi? There
is more than one meaning for the “offering in righteousness” to be made
by the sons of Levi at or near the Second Coming of the Lord. With regard
to animal sacrifice, Joseph Smith said: “It is generally supposed that
sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e.,] the
sacrifice of the Lord Jesus was offered up, and that there will be no
necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in [the] future; but those who
assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges
and authority of the Priesthood, or with the Prophets. “The offering
of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of
the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until
after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation. We frequently
have mention made of the offering of sacrifice by the servants of the
Most High in ancient days, prior to the law of Moses; which ordinances
will be continued when the priesthood is restored with all its authority,
power and blessings. . . . “These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance
belonging to the Priesthood, will, when the Temple of the Lord shall
be built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended
to in all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and
ever will exist when the powers of the Melchizedek Priesthood are sufficiently
manifest; else how can the restitution of all things spoken of by the
holy prophets be brought to pass. It is not to be understood that the
law of Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety
of ceremonies; this has never been spoken of by the prophets; but those
things which existed prior to Moses’ day, namely, sacrifice, will be
continued.” (Teachings, pp. 172–73.)]
READ Malachi 4: 5-6
Malachi prophesied that the prophet Elijah would return
before the Second Coming to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children
and the hearts of the children to their fathers. This prophecy was fulfilled
when Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple, restoring
the keys of the sealing power
5 ¶ Behold, I will send you Elijah the
prophet [ What
is the work of this Elijah? This work is linked to establishing
peace and turning the hearts of the children to the fathers (Julius Greenstone,
The Messiah Idea in Jewish History (Philadelphia: Jewish Publication
society of America,1906) pg. 320). It is “. . . Elijah’s chief activity
. . . [that] will [assist] in restoring the purity of the family.” (Ginzber,
op. cit., Vol. 6, pg. 339) The return of Elijah
was to be about the time of the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood
as well as the rediscovery of the breastplate of the Urim and Thummim.
Elijah’s return was also to happen, according to Dr. Klausner, during
the time of the sacred washing and anointing. All of this would occur
when the rebuilding of the new temple of Israel would be expected. (Joseph Klausner, Die Messianishe
Vorstellungen des juedischen Volkes im Zeitalter der Tannaiten (Berlin:
Verlag M. Poppelhauer, 1904) pgs. 61, 115-119. This is Dr. Klausner’s
PhD thesis)
1) Elijah literally returned to
give the key's to Joseph Smith D&C 2; 2) the purpose of the ancient
prophet Elijah was to overthrow the current political regime and all
of their idolatry - the priests of Baal. So it will be that Elijah will
prepare the way to the overthrowing of the political leaders of our day
and their idolatrous practices.] before the
coming of the great and
dreadful day of the LORD:
6 And he shall turn the heart of
the fathers to the children,
and the heart of the children to
their fathers, [ What
does it mean to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the
heart of the children to their fathers”? (It means to
be sealed to all our ancestors—our “fathers”—and to all our posterity—our
“children”—forever. Because of the sealing power of the priesthood and
the temple ordinances for the living and the dead, families can be bound
together for eternity.) We all know the LDS view
of doing temple work but there is a another message here as well. D&C
98:16-17 uses this verse in a more temporal relationship between mortal
sons and their fathers. In 2:4-10 Levites are instructed to look back
at the righteous example of their fathers and emulate those examples
in righteousiness to reconciled through righteousiness] lest I
come and smite the earth with
a curse. [hebrew
word used was cherem, which is the worst curse possible. It has its roots
in utter annihilation and complete extinction. It is the same curse used
in Josh 6:17 where Israel is to annihilate the Canaanites from the land.]
How was this prophecy fulfilled? (See
D&C 110:13–16. Elijah appeared in the Kirtland
Temple and restored to Joseph Smith the keys of the sealing power.) This actually happened
in the latter-days. At the dedication of the new temple, Elijah
did return on that very day when the traditional Jewish people celebrate
Passover. This was on April 3, 1836, the exact interval of the fifteenth
day of Nissan in the Hebrew calendar!
READ D&C 110: 13-16
13 After this vision had closed, another
great and glorious vision burst
upon us; for
bElijah the
prophet, who was taken to heaven without
tasting death, stood before us, and said:
14 Behold, the time
has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying
that
he [Elijah] [Why
Elijah - what made him special? Because
he holds the keys of the autority to administer
in all the ordinances of the priesthood - including the ordinances, powers
and endowments of the fulliness of the Melchizedek priesthood - which includes redeeming
our dead, and connecting ourselves with our fathers which are in heaven
- The Sealing Power. "He was the last prophet that held
the keys of the priesthood in ancient Israel" Mormon Doctrine Pg 223 - ] should
be sent,
before the great and dreadful day of the
Lord come—
[ a round about statement
that with these keys restored to the earth the Day of the Lord is imminent
]
15 To turn the hearts of
the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers,
lest
the whole earth be smitten with a curse—
[ What
is the curse? D&C 2:3 - The
earth would not have fulfilled its purpose, there would have been no reason for it
- without the saving ordinances of the Gospel and especially the Sealing
of families the earth would have been wasted. D&C 128:18 -"I
might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently
plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this
case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a weldinglink
of some kind or other between the fathers and the children ,
upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It
is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect;
neither can they without us be made perfect..." JS-H 1: 39 (36-39) "39
He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the
hearts of the achildren the bpromises made to the fathers, and the hearts
of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole
earth would be utterly wasted at his coming." ]
What do these verses mean to you? 1)
some of the prophecies have been fulfilled 2) We should search out the
names of our ancestors and perform ordinances for them in the temple
What signifigance is it to know that some of the prophecies of the Second
Coming have already been fulfilled?
Now let's turn out attention to some of the Prophecies that are yet to
be fulfilled before the Savior comes.
Why does the Lord want us to understand the Signs or prophecies of the
times?
READ D&C 45:34-44
34 And now, when I the Lord had spoken
these words unto my disciples, they were troubled.
35 And I said unto them:
Be not troubled,
for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises
which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled.
36 And when the light shall
begin to break forth, it shall be with them like unto a parable which I
will show you—
37
Ye
look and behold the figtrees,
and ye see them with your eyes, and ye say when they begin to shoot forth,
and their leaves are yet tender, that summer is now nigh at hand; [
you have learned and been taught that in the spring the fig trees leaves
begin to appear - you know that the days will get longer, and warmer
and that summer is near.]
38 Even so it shall be
in that day when they shall see all these things, then shall they know
that the hour is nigh.
39 And it shall come to
pass that he that feareth me
shall be looking forth
for the great day of the
Lord to come, even for
the signs of the coming
of the son of Man.
40 And they shall see
signs and wonders, for
they shall be shown forth in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath.
41 And they shall behold
blood, and fire, and vapors
of smoke.
42 And before the day
of the Lord shall come, the sun shall
be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the stars fall from
heaven.
43 And the remnant shall
be gathered unto this place;
44 And then they shall
look for me, and, behold, I will come; and they shall see me in the clouds of
heaven, clothed with power and great glory;
with all the holy angels; and he that watches not
for me shall be cut off.
How do these verses provide any comfort for
you as the signs of the time continue to unfold?
Read Zechariah 10:6–8.
The Lord will send out his messengers after
his people to gather them in
6 And I will strengthen the house
of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them
again to place them; [ so
what does the the Lord say he is going to do here? The
people of Judah and Joseph will be gathered] for
I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them
off: for I am the
LORD their
God, and will hear them.
7 And
they
of Ephraim shall
be like a mighty man, [
What are the priviledges available to
might men? the
will enjoy power and strength, confidence that they can do their job
] and
their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall
see
it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the L
ORD.
8
I
will hiss for them, and gather them;
[or
call, for his people and gather them. What
is our responsibility: We need
to be active in the work of the gathering] for
I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
Read Zechariah 12:2-3; 8-9.
A great war will be fought in and around Jerusalem,
but the Lord will intervene and save the inhabitants of Jerusalem from
destruction.:
2 Behold,
I
will make Jerusalem a cup of
trembling unto all the people round
about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against
Jerusalem.
[A great war will be fought in
and around Jerusalem] 3 ¶ And in that
day will I make
Jerusalem a burdensome stone [ Why
does Jersalem or the Jews have this burdensome stone? Because
they killed the Messiah. “The chapter foreshadows the terrible afflictions
of the Jews, subsequent to their rejection of the Messiah, and the ultimate
downfall of their overlords. That this ruler is spoken of as my shepherd
offers significant light on the sovereignty of the divine rule over history.
He is where he is by divine appointment (v. 16) and the scandalous acts
which his wicked heart teaches him to perform are the Lord’s dread judgment
on a people which rejected the true shepherd.” (Guthrie and Motyer, New
Bible Commentary, p. 798.)] for all people: all that burden themselves
with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together
against it.
8 In that day shall
the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; [
the Lord will intervene and save the inhabitants of Jerusalem from destruction
] and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David;
and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before
them.
9 ¶ And it shall come
to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all
the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Do you receive any comfort from
knowing that the Lord will fight our battles?
We should trust God to defend his people
during the difficulties of the last days.
Read Zechariah 14:8 Living waters will flow from the temple in Jerusalem
and will heal the Dead Sea and the Judean wilderness (see also Ezekiel
47:1, 8–9).
8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall
go out from Jerusalem; [waters will flow
from the temple in Jerusalem] half of them
toward the former sea, [heal the Dead
Sea] and half of them toward the hinder
sea: [the Judean wilderness (see also
Ezekiel 47:1, 8–9)] in summer and in winter shall it be.
Many of the prophecies of the last days
include tragedies such as war, natural disasters, and widespread wickedness.
How do we maintain hope when we hear of these prophecies and witness their
fulfillment?
Read D&C 38:28-30.
28 And again, I say unto
you that the enemy in the secret chambers seeketh your lives.
29 Ye hear of wars in
far countries, and you say that there will soon be great wars in far countries,
but ye know not the hearts of men in your own land.
30
I
tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in
your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by
their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice
louder than that which shall shake the earth; but
if
ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
Let's look at a few of the prophecies of Zechariah that will be fulfilled
when the Savior comes
READ Zechariah 14:3-4
The Savior will stand on the Mount of Olives,
and the mount will be divided in half (see also D&C 45:48).
3 Then shall the LORD go
forth, and fight against
those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
4 ¶ And
his feet shall stand in
that day upon the mount of
Olives,
[The Savior will stand on the Mount
of Olives] which
is before
Jerusalem on the east,
and
the mount of Olives [It was on the mount of Olives that Titus
posted his army to batter Jerusalem. Here the tenth legion that came
to him from Jericho was placed. JOSEph. De Bello, lib. vi. c. 3. It was
from this mountain that our Lord beheld Jerusalem, and predicted its
future destruction, Luke xix. 41, with Matt. xxiv. 23; and it was from
this mountain that he ascended to heaven, (Acts i. 12,) utterly leaving
an ungrateful and condemned city. ] shall cleave
in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a
very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north,
and half of it toward the south.
[God shall display his miraculous
power as fully in the final restoration of the Jews, as he did when he
divided the Red Sea that their forefathers might pass through dry-shod
as the mount will be divided in half (see also D&C 45:48 :And then
shall the Lord set his foot upon this mount, and it shall cleave in twain,
and the earth shall tremble, and reel to and fro, and the heavens also
shall shake.) ]
READ Zechariah 12:10-13; 13:6. The
Jewish people living at the time of Jerusalem’s deliverance will see Jesus
Christ and will mourn because they as a people have rejected him as the
Messiah (see also D&C 45:51–53).
10 And I will pour upon
the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and
of supplications: and
they shall look upon
me whom they have pierced,
[The
Jews shall see the Savior - the Messiah] and
they
shall mourn for him,
[they
will be sorry for waht they did, for not accepting him the first time,
for killing him, for rejecting him] as one mourneth for
his only
son, and
shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for
his firstborn.
11 In that day shall
there
be a great mourning in
Jerusalem,
[What
are some of the reasons for the great mourning in that day? :
(1) many Jews will have been killed by the besieging
armies; (2) families
will be scattered and unable to contact one another; (3) the
saved Jews will realize that He whom they have long rejected
and whom their forefathers persecuted and killed is truly the
Messiah for whom they waited for so
long. President Joseph Fielding Smith said: “Then
they will accept Him as their Redeemer, which they have never been willing
to do. Then is the time as spoken of in this passage from Zechariah when
every family will go and mourn apart; the house of David, the house of
Nathan, the Jews. They will fall down. They will rend their garments,
and they will mourn and they will weep because they were not willing
to accept the son of God but accepted the teachings of their fathers
and rejected their Redeemer and Messiah. Then they will fall down at
His feet and worship Him. After these days will come their redemption
and the building of Jerusalem. They will be given their own land again,
and every man ‘will live under his own vine and his own fig tree and
they will learn to love the Lord and keep his commandments and walk in
the light, and He will be their God and they will be His people, and
that is right at our doors.’” (Signs
of the Times, pp. 171–72.)] as
the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
[
Thea shall mourn as deeply for the crucified Christ as their forefathers
did for the death of Josiah, who was slain at Hadadrimmon in the valley
of Megiddon. See 2 Chron. xxxv. 24, 25. “In vers. 11, the depth and bitterness
of the pain on account of the slain Messiah are depicted by comparing
it to the mourning of Hadad-rimmon. Jerome says with regard to this:
‘Adadremmon is a city near Jerusalem, which was formerly called by this
name, but is now called Maximianopolis, in the field of Mageddon, where
the good king Josiah was wounded by Pharaoh
Necho.’ . . . The mourning of Hadad-rimmon is therefore the mourning
for the calamity which befell Israel at Hadad-rimmon in the death of
the good king Josiah, who was mortally wounded in the valley Megiddo,
according to [2 Chronicles 35:22–24], so that he very soon gave up the
ghost. The death of this most pious of all the kings of Judah was bewailed
by the people, especially the righteous members of the nation, so bitterly,
that not only did the prophet Jeremiah compose an elegy on his death,
but other singers, both male and female, bewailed him in dirges, which
were placed in a collection of elegiac songs, and preserved in Israel
till long after the captivity [2 Chronicles 35:25]. Zechariah compares
the lamentation for the putting of the Messiah to death to this great
national mourning.” (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 10:2:390.)]
READ Zechariah 13:2. False idols, unclean spirits, and false prophets will
be destroyed.
¶ And it shall come to pass in that day,
saith the LORD of hosts, that I
will cut off the names of the idols out
of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause
the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
READ Zechariah 14:5. The
righteous who are alive on the earth will be caught up to meet the Savior.
The righteous who have died will be resurrected and will also be caught
up to meet him (see also D&C 88:96–98).
5 And
ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of
the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled
from before the earthquake in
the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my
God shall come, and all the saints with
thee. [The righteous who are alive on the
earth will be caught up to meet the Savior. The righteous who have died
will be resurrected and will also be caught up to meet him (see also D&C
88:96–98)]
READ Zechariah 14:9. The Lord will be king over all the earth and will rule
during the Millennium.
9 And the LORD shall
be king over all the
earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his
name one. [ The Lord will be king over
all the earth and will rule during the Millennium. ]
READ Zechariah 14:12–13; Malachi 3:13–18; 4:1–3. The wicked will be destroyed,
and the righteous will be spared (see also 1 Nephi 22:15–17, 19).
12 ¶ And this shall
be the plague wherewith
the LORD will smite all
the people that have fought against Jerusalem; [The
wicked will be destroyed] Their flesh shall consume away while
they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their
holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
13 And it shall come
to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall
be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour,
and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.
READ Malachi 3:13-18
13 ¶ Your words have been stout against
me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so
much against thee?
14 Ye have said,
It is vain to
serve God:
[How
many times have you heard that? so and so down the street is wicked,
doesn't keep the commandments and yet look at how he is prospering? But
further review shows that they are not prospering because they are just
as wicked in their own ways - hence the Lord is not blessing them.] and
what profit
is it that
we
have kept his ordinance,
[are
you sure? what about the law of tithing?...] and
that we have walked mournfully before the L
ORD of hosts?
15 And now we call the proud happy;
yea,
they that work wickedness are
set up;
[they are doing pretty well for themselves,
enought to notice that wicked are at least no worse off] yea,
they
that tempt God are even delivered.
16 ¶ Then they
that feared the L
ORD spake often one to another: and the
L
ORD hearkened, and heard
it, and a book of remembrance was
written before him for them that feared the L
ORD, and that
thought upon his name.
17 And they shall be mine,
saith the L
ORD of hosts, in that day when I make up
my jewels;
[or
treasured possession] and I will spare them,
as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between
the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that
serveth him not.
READ Malachi 4:1-3
1
aFOR,
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 L
ORD of
hosts, that it shall leave them
neither root nor branch.
[figuratively
speaking both adult and child, the entire lineage]
2 ¶ But unto you
that fear my name shall the
Sun of
righteousness [3 Ne 25 = son Of Righteousness] arise with
healing
in his wings;
[wings - hebrew from the word
kanaph; which means extremity, edge,border , corner, shirt. Same term used
in Num 15:37-41 where people were told to wear fringes on the garments
- hence making a better translation "with healing in the folds of
its garments". This garment of healing contrasts with the garment
of violence from 2:16. Where the priests are harming Israel, this "sun
of righteousness" rises and casts light on Israel to heal her. ] and
ye shall go forth, and
grow up as calves of the stall.
[JPS
renders it as "You shall go forth and stamp like stall-fed calves".
Or in other words; justa as calves kept in tight confinment in a stall
trample every blade of grass into the ground so to shall Israel trample
her enemies.]
3 And ye shall tread down
the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the
day that I shall do
this, saith the L
ORD of hosts.
How
can we prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior? (See D&C 45:56–57.)
READ D&C 45:56-57
56 And at that day, when I shall come in
my glory, shall the parable
be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
[ What was that story all about? ]
57 For they that are
wise and have received the truth,
and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide,
and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not
be hewn down and cast into the fire,
but shall abide the day.
President Ezra Taft Benson said: “As we live the commandments of God, we
can look forward with joyful anticipation to the second coming of the Lord
Jesus Christ and know that through our efforts we are worthy, with our
loved ones, to dwell in His presence for all eternity. Surely nothing is
too hard to gain this great goal. We cannot let down for a moment. We must
prove, every day of our lives, that we are willing to do the will of the
Lord—to spread the restored gospel, to bear testimony to the world, to
share the gospel with others” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988],
341).
• How does it help you to know that righteousness will eventually triumph
over wickedness?
2. Malachi teaches about the blessings that come to those who pay tithes
and offerings.
Teach and discuss Malachi 3:8–12.
• How do people “rob God” by not paying tithes and offerings?
• What does it mean to pay a full tithe?
The First Presidency has stated: “The simplest statement we know of is
the statement of the Lord himself, namely, that the members of the Church
should pay ‘one-tenth of all their interest annually,’ which is understood
to mean income. No one is justified in making any other statement than
this” (First Presidency letter, 19 Mar. 1970; see also D&C 119:1–4).
• What blessings has the Lord promised us if we pay tithing? (See Malachi
3:10–12.) How has the Lord blessed you as you have paid tithes and offerings?
• What should be our motivation for paying tithes and offerings?
After referring to the blessings the Lord gives to tithe payers, President
Gordon B. Hinckley said:
“Now, do not get me wrong. I am not here to say that if you pay an honest
tithing you will realize your dream of a fine house, a Rolls Royce, and
a condominium in Hawaii. The Lord will open the windows of heaven according
to our need, and not according to our greed. If we are paying tithing to
get rich, we are doing it for the wrong reason. The basic purpose for tithing
is to provide the Church with the means needed to carry on His work” (in
Conference Report, Apr. 1982, 60; or Ensign, May 1982, 40).
• Why is it sometimes a challenge to obey the law of tithing? What can
be done to overcome that challenge?
• How have you felt your heart turn to your ancestors as you have done
family history and temple work for them? How do the promises of temple
covenants turn your heart to your parents, spouse, and children?
• The message in Malachi 4:5–6 is taught in each of the standard works
(Luke 1:17; 3 Nephi 25:5–6; D&C 2:1–3; Joseph Smith—History 1:37–39).
Why do you think this message is repeated so often?
Conclusion
Bear testimony of the things you have chosen to discuss in the lesson.
As a conclusion to this year’s course of study, you may also want to express
your gratitude for the teachings in the Old Testament.
Give each class member a copy of the New Testament Class Member Study Guide
(31392; see “Preparation,” page 225). Explain that next year’s course of
study is the New Testament. Encourage members to begin using the study
guide to prepare for next week’s lesson and to study the New Testament
with their families.
Additional Teaching Ideas
The following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may
want to use one or more of these ideas as part of the lesson.
1. Prophesied appearances of the Savior
• At least seven latter-day appearances of the Savior have been foretold
in the scriptures. How many of them can you identify?
The following information will help to answer this question:
a. To the Prophet Joseph Smith in the First Vision (Acts 3:19–21; Joseph
Smith—History 1:15–17).
b. In his latter-day temples (Malachi 3:1; D&C 133:1–2).
c. In the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman (D&C 116; Daniel 7:13–14, 22; see
also D&C 107:53–56, which describes a past meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahman
that is similar to the meeting that will take place there).
d. In Jerusalem during a worldwide conflict known as the battle of Armageddon
(Ezekiel 38–39; Zechariah 12–14; Revelation 11; D&C 45:47–53).
e. In the city of New Jerusalem, at Independence, Missouri (3 Nephi 21:24–26).
f. To the righteous at the time of his Second Coming (Zechariah 14:5; 1
Thessalonians 4:16–17; D&C 88:96–98).
g. To the wicked (D&C 133:42–51).
2. When will the Second Coming occur?
The Lord has made clear that while he will surely come again, no person
knows the exact time (D&C 39:20–21; 49:7).
Elder Richard L. Evans said: “some of the brethren … approached [President
Wilford Woodruff] and … inquired of him as to when he felt the end would
be—when would be the coming of the Master? These, I think, are not his
exact words, but they convey the spirit of his reported reply: ‘I would
live as if it were to be tomorrow—but I am still planting cherry trees!’
I think we may well take this as a page for our own book and live as if
the end might be tomorrow—and still plant cherry trees! In worrying about
things that are beyond our reach, we should not overlook our opportunities
with our own families and friends; in worrying about possible eventualities
we should not neglect the things that need to be done here and now, and
that are within our reach” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1950, 105–6).
