More Prophecy by Malachi

Christ continues to teach them the prophecies of Malachi so they can have them as part of their record as well as the record in Jerusalem. I think this is one that has partially been fulfilled and partially in the process of being fulfilled.

"5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord;" (3 Nephi 25:5)

After the early saints built the Kirtland temple, several prophets appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, including Elijah. He conferred on them the sealing power of the priesthood, which allowed them to seal families together for eternity.

"6 And he shall turn the heart 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." (3 Nephi 25:6)

It is so important for people to be sealed, ideally making an unbroken chain from Adam down through everyone who ever has or will live on the earth. This is a big job. Currently, there are so many ways to do this work. There is indexing work, which helps to digitize records to make them available to be searched and linked. There is actual temple proxy work, which culminates in everyone being sealed to their parents and children. This is a very time consuming effort, and I really need to go to the temple more often to participate in this effort. But there is also encouraging people, especially my kids, to have a desire to do this work. The more people get excited and do the work, the more gets done.

Another way that this work can be accomplished or assisted is to be a better parent and example, and to leave a positive legacy. Malachi prophesied that not only would the hearts of the children turn to their fathers, which I interpret as having a desire to know and be linked to our ancestors. However, having the hearts of the fathers turn to their children makes me think of how much I love my kids and want to provide for them a great life, making sure that at the same time, I teach them to work hard and to be honest and good people. It is an interesting exercise to consider what will happen to me and my name 2 generations down the line, or 3. Not that I'm looking for notoriety or fame, but what can I do to keep my legacy alive?

I have a lot to think about, and DO here.