During the General Conference April 2020 Saturday Evening Session, Elder Eyring spoke regarding the last days and the great work that must take place including the work of Elijah—genealogy and temple work. Shortly thereafter the living Prophet and President of the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Russell M Nelson, called upon members, all who are able, and including those not members of our church to join in a fast for blessing and miracles, “Let us unite in pleading for healing throughout the world,” the prophet said. “Good Friday would be the perfect day to have our Heavenly Father and His Son hear us! … Let us prayerfully plead … that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.”1Prophet Calls for Good Friday Fast for Relief from COVID-19
With these thoughts on my mind I came across something I had written in a scripture journal on 8/12/2018:
We read in Malachi of the last days where destruction will occur. Elijah will come in preparation “he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”2Malachi 4:5-6
Often we discuss the role of the children in this prophesy—the childrens’ need and desire to work on the genealogy and temple work of our fathers (mothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) that have gone before us.
Less discussed is the role of the fathers in this, yet clearly there is a role as Malachi presents two sides to the promise . Now we can see that one way the fathers hearts might turn to us is assisting us as possible from the other side in this genealogy and temple work. Could it be that there is more for the fathers to do from their side of the vail that could help save us from destruction.
Moroni offers a glimpse at understanding another aspect of our fathers (those that came before us) role. Moroni talks of all Christ has done for us already through the atonement, then he asks if this is all to be done and have miracles therefore ceased? He, Moroni, affirms that miracles have not ceased and that “Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.” and later in the chapter “if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.”3Moroni 7:28-37 We know from reading many other verses of scripture, angles are often those who have come before us.
There is a great work to be done by all who are willing to work with their might.4Doctrine & Covenants 4 Let us be anxiously engaged in this work, and trust that our fathers are also engaged in all they can do to keep this work progressing.