Old Testament Prophecies of the Second Coming

The angel Moroni quoted a number of Old Testament passages to Joseph Smith during his first visit. He repeated those passages during three subsequent visits. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:36, 45-46, 49.) Joseph lists four of those passages in his description of the event, even quoting portions of the first passage to illustrate how Moroni recited it “with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles” (Joseph Smith—History 1:36), that is, in the King James Version.

Three of the four passages also appear in the Book of Mormon. Of course, Joseph didn’t know that at the time, but Moroni did. When Joseph encountered those same passages during his translation of the Book of Mormon, he must have remembered that Moroni had emphasized them during their first meeting.

The topic of all four passages is preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Malachi, Isaiah, Moses, and Joel all lived before the mortal life of Jesus Christ, so by quoting them, Moroni was emphasizing a core Book of Mormon message: Prophets in all ages of the world have testified of Jesus Christ. (See 2 Nephi 25:19, Jacob 7:10-11, Alma 30:22, 3 Nephi 11:10.)

Here’s a quick look at those four passages, with some commentary on Book of Mormon connections and lessons we can learn from each:

1. Malachi 3 and 4: Difficult days, weathered by strong families

Joseph said that the angel quoted “part of the third chapter of Malachi; and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy” (Joseph Smith—History 1:36). Malachi lived after the Babylonian Captivity, so Lehi and his descendants did not have access to his writings. But when Jesus Christ visited the people at the temple in Bountiful, he quoted Malachi 3 and 4, telling them, “These scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations” (3 Nephi 26:2). (See 3 Nephi 24 and 25.)

The prophecy speaks of the Lord coming “suddenly” to his temple, to “sit as a refiner and purifier of silver” (Malachi 3:1, 3; 3 Nephi 24:1, 3). It says that a coming day “shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble” (Malachi 4:1, 3 Nephi 25:1, 1 Nephi 22:15, 23). It ends with the reassuring message that God would send Elijah before that time, and that he would strengthen family bonds, which would avert the total destruction of the world. (See Malachi 4:5-6, 3 Nephi 25:5-6). The angel Moroni added that Elijah would do this by means of the priesthood, and that children’s hearts would turn to their fathers specifically because the promises made to the fathers will be planted in their hearts. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:38-39.)

I would summarize the passage this way: Difficult times will precede the Savior’s return. These challenges will help to distinguish the righteous from the wicked. But the priesthood power which God has sent will bind families together, enabling us to weather the storms and not be destroyed.

2. Isaiah 11: Israel gathered; peace through knowledge

The second passage Moroni shared was Isaiah 11, which Nephi included in his record as 2 Nephi 21.

In this chapter, Isaiah prophesies that a servant of Christ will have priesthood power to gather Israel in the last days. (See the interpretation of verses 1-5 and 10 in Doctrine and Covenants 113:1-6.) He speaks of Israel being gathered to an “ensign,” or flag, from “the four corners of the earth” (Isaiah 11:11-12, 2 Nephi 21:11-12) and of peace being established on the earth, as symbolized by predators and prey living harmoniously together. (See Isaiah 11:6-9, 2 Nephi 21:6-9, 2 Nephi 30:12-15.) Isaiah gives the following reason for this remarkable peace: “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9, 2 Nephi 21:9, 2 Nephi 30:15).

Widespread spiritual knowledge, disseminated as Israel is gathered, will eliminate contention in the world.

3. Acts 3:22-23: Hear Him, and receive His power

I realize that the book of Acts is in the New Testament, but in this passage Peter is actually quoting Moses. As he preaches to the people at the temple in Jerusalem following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Peter emphasizes to them that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. As an example, he quotes the following passage from the book of Deuteronomy:

The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken. …

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

Deuteronomy 18:15, 19

Like Peter, Nephi identified that “prophet” as Jesus Christ. (See 1 Nephi 22:20-21.) In Nephi’s version of the prophecy, the consequence of failing to hear the Prophet is to be “cut off from among the people,” which is similar to Peter’s version: “destroyed from among the people.”

When Jesus visited the descendants of Lehi, He also quoted that prophecy, saying, “I am he of whom Moses spake” (3 Nephi 20:22). He then connected the consequence of failing to hear Him (being “cut off”) with an extended passage from Micah, prophesying that many people will be “cut off” in the last days. (See Micah 5:8-14, 3 Nephi 21:12-18.) Jesus then quoted His Father, saying, “At that day, whosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Son, them will I cut off from among my people, O house of Israel” (3 Nephi 21:20). But then, He added this reassuring promise:

But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance. …

And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst.

3 Nephi 21:22, 25

Here’s my summary of this passage: Those who choose to hear and follow the Savior will be gathered with other believers and will receive His power.

4. Joel 2:28-32: Increased revelation will deliver us.

The fourth passage doesn’t appear in the Book of Mormon. The last five verses of Joel 2 contain a prophecy of widespread revelation in the last days. “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh,” the Lord says, “and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28). Moroni told Joseph that “this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be” (Joseph Smith—History 1:41). Of course, it must have been obvious to Joseph that Moroni’s visit was itself an example of a young man seeing visions.

Joel says that God will “shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth,” including the sun being darkened and the moon turned to blood. But he adds this promise: “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered” (Joel 2:30-32).

A clear message from this prophecy is this: God will send increased revelation in the last days, which will help us navigate through a set of disruptive events.

Conclusion

President Russell M. Nelson recently said, “Now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ” (“The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” General Conference, October 2024).

How do we do this? By strengthening families with priesthood power, by gathering Israel and preaching the gospel, by hearing and following the teachings of Jesus, and by increasing our capacity to receive personal revelation.

Today, I will prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I will strive to draw closer to Him and to do His work. I will trust His promises that He will deliver His people during the challenging events preceding His return.