3 Nephi 25

Chapter Overview

What happens in 3 Nephi 25

Christ quotes Malachi 4, the final chapter of the Old Testament, prophesying the great and dreadful day of the Lord and the return of Elijah the prophet before that day comes.

Scripture

The burning day and the Sun of Righteousness

Study note

The day of the Lord will burn the wicked as stubble, but to those who fear His name, the 'Sun of Righteousness' will arise with healing in His wings. This dual prophecy of judgment and healing captures the complete scope of Christ's Second Coming -- devastating for the unrepentant but glorious for the faithful.

1 For 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 Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

2 But unto you that fear my name, shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall.

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 Lord of Hosts.

Remember the law of Moses and the coming of Elijah

Study note

Jesus calls the people to remember the law of Moses and announces Elijah's return before the day of the Lord. Elijah's ministry reconnects generations and protects covenant relationships from being broken. Latter-day Saint readers see this fulfilled through temple ordinances and family history work.

4 Remember ye the law of Moses, my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet 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, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Key Themes

Themes in 3 Nephi 25

The great and dreadful day of the LordThe Sun of Righteousness arising with healingThe return of Elijah the prophetTurning the hearts of families across generationsPreparation for the Second Coming

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

3 Nephi 25:1-6 Malachi 4:1-6

Christ quotes the entirety of Malachi 4, the closing prophecy of the Old Testament, connecting it directly to the Nephite covenant.

3 Nephi 25:5-6 Matthew 17:10-13

Elijah's prophesied return connects to Christ's teaching in Matthew that Elijah had already come in the person of John the Baptist, with a future fulfillment still ahead.

3 Nephi 25:2 Revelation 22:16

The 'Sun of Righteousness' imagery connects to Christ's self-identification in Revelation as 'the bright and morning star.'

Apply This Today

Living 3 Nephi 25

Malachi's prophecy of Elijah turning hearts between generations speaks to the deepest desire of the human soul: connection with family. This work of binding families together across time is not just an administrative task -- it is the very work that prevents the earth from being cursed. Our family connections are sacred and eternal.

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