Near the end of a typical Seder service, a fifth cup of wine is poured and the door is opened for the prophet Elijah. This tradition is based on the following prophecy from the end of the Old Testament:
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
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.
Malachi 4:5-6
Near the end of the Savior’s ministry, Elijah appeared to Him in the presence of Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-4). On this occasion, he conferred priesthood keys upon those apostles (David A. Bednar, “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” October 2011 general conference), but the ultimate fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy was still in the future.
After His resurrection, Jesus quoted Malachi’s prophecy to the Nephites and Lamanites, indicating that it still pointed to a future event (3 Nephi 25:5-6). The angel Moroni also quoted it, with some variation, when he appeared to Joseph Smith in 1823 (Joseph Smith—History 1:38-39; Doctrine and Covenants 2).
On April 3, 1836, the prophet Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the newly dedicated temple in Kirtland, Ohio. The date was significant. It was Easter Sunday, and the second day of Passover, the season when Jewish families around the world were inviting Elijah into their homes. Elijah declared the significance of the occasion by referencing Malachi’s prophecy:
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
Doctrine and Covenants 110:14-15
Elijah explained that his arrival was a precursor to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ: “By this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors” (Doctrine and Covenants 110:16).
Elder Quentin L. Cook explained the significance of this event:
The appearance of the Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and the keys committed by Moses, Elias, and Elijah are central to the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days. The role of Elijah in restoring the priesthood keys of the sealing power is crucial in our journey of returning to our Father as a covenant people.
“Keys, Covenants, and Easter,” April 2026 general conference
Just as Jewish families invite Elijah to join their Passover celebration, we can all welcome his influence into our homes and hearts.
Today, I will work to strengthen family relationships, trusting Elijah’s keys to help us prepare for the return of Jesus Christ.
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