This chapter is a recording of Christ's words as He repeated to the Nephites more of the Prophet Malachi's divinely inspired utterances. Malachi's prophecy is also found in the Hebrew Scriptures, and by repeating them the Risen Redeemer gave them His approval.
From them we learn that before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, Elijah, the Prophet, would be sent unto mortals with the mission of turning the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, "Lest," the Lord says, "I come and smite the earth with a curse." (v. 6)
This promise was fulfilled on April 3, 1836, when the Prophet Elijah appeared to Joseph, the Prophet of this Dispensation, and to Oliver Cowdery, in the Kirtland Temple, and said: "Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi-testifying that he (Elijah) should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come-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-Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors." (Doctrine and Covenants 110:14-16 )
A careful reading of the Revelation on wars (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 87 also foretells of labor disputes and Indian uprisings, sword and bloodshed famine, plague, earthquakes, thunder and lightnings, until the consummation decreed shall have made an end of all nations-all human governments. "Wherefore," the Lord says, "stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come." That is, until all these things take place; "For, behold it cometh quickly, saith the Lord." (v. 8)