December 12–18

Malachi

“I Have Loved You, Saith the Lord”

The name Malachi means “my messenger” (Bible Dictionary, “Malachi”). As you study Malachi’s message to Israel, what messages do you find for your life? How do Malachi’s words relate to our day?

Record Your Impressions

“I have loved you,” the Lord told His people through the prophet Malachi. But the Israelites, who had suffered generations of affliction and captivity, asked the Lord, “Wherein hast thou loved us?” (Malachi 1:2). After all Israel had been through, they may have wondered whether the history of ancient Israel is really a story of God’s love for His covenant people.

As you reflect on what you have read in the Old Testament this year, what evidence do you find of God’s love? It’s easy to see many examples of human weakness and rebellion. Yet throughout all of that, God never stopped reaching out in love. When the sons of Jacob mistreated their brother Joseph, the Lord still prepared a way to save them from famine (see Genesis 45:4–8). When Israel murmured in the wilderness, God fed them with manna (see Exodus 16:1–4). Even when Israel abandoned Him, turned to other gods, and were scattered, God never fully abandoned them but promised that if they repented, He would gather and redeem them “with great mercies” (see Isaiah 54:7).

Viewed this way, the Old Testament is a story of God’s patient, enduring love. And this story continues today. “The Sun of Righteousness [will] arise with healing in his wings,” Malachi prophesied (Malachi 4:2). Jesus Christ did come, bringing physical and spiritual healing to all who come unto Him. He is the greatest evidence of God’s love for ancient Israel and for all of us.

For more information about the book of Malachi, see “Malachi” in the Bible Dictionary.

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Malachi 1–4

“Return unto me, and I will return unto you.”

In Malachi’s day, the Israelites had already rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem, but as a people they still needed to rebuild their relationship with the Lord. As you study Malachi, look for questions that the Lord asked the Israelites or that they asked Him. Consider asking yourself similar questions (some examples are suggested below) to help you evaluate your relationship with the Lord and draw closer to Him.

• How have I felt the Lord’s love for me? (see Malachi 1:2).

• Do my offerings to the Lord truly honor Him? (see Malachi 1:6–11).

• In what ways do I need to “return” to the Lord? (see Malachi 3:7).

• Am I robbing God in any way? (see Malachi 3:8–11).

• How does my attitude during difficult times reflect my feelings toward the Lord? (see Malachi 3:13–15; see also 2:17).

See also D. Todd Christofferson, “As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 97–100.

Malachi 1:6–14

The Lord asks for “a pure offering.”

The Lord’s words in Malachi 1 indicate that the Israelite priests were offering blemished and sickly animals as sacrifices in the temple, which the Lord had forbidden (see Leviticus 22:17–25). What do these sacrifices suggest about the priests’ feelings toward the Lord? (see Malachi 1:13). Why does the Lord ask us to give Him our best offerings? Think about the sacrifices the Lord has asked you to make. What can you do to give Him “a pure offering”? (Malachi 1:11; see also 3:3).

See also Moroni 7:5–14.

Malachi 3–4

Malachi’s prophecies are being fulfilled in the latter days.

When the Savior visited the Americas, he quoted Malachi 3–4 to the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 24–25). In 1823, the angel Moroni shared portions of these same chapters with Joseph Smith (see Joseph Smith—History 1:36–39; see also Doctrine and Covenants 2). Why do you think Malachi’s words are repeated so often in the scriptures? (see also Doctrine and Covenants 27:9; 110:13–16; 128:17–18). In your opinion, what messages from Malachi 3–4 seem especially important for our day?

When Moroni quoted Malachi 4:5–6 to Joseph Smith, he did so “with a little variation from the way it reads” in the Bible (Joseph Smith—History 1:36). What does Moroni’s variation add to our understanding of this prophecy? To learn more about the coming of Elijah and how this prophecy is being fulfilled today, see Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16 and Elder David A. Bednar’s message “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 24–27). Why are you grateful that Elijah has come?

Illustration of Elijah appearing to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple, by Robert T. Barrett

Malachi 3:8–12

Paying tithing opens the windows of heaven.

As you read Malachi 3:8–12, think about your own experiences with paying tithing. What does the phrase “open you the windows of heaven” (verse 10) mean to you?

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

Malachi 1:2.How would your family answer the question found in Malachi 1:2—“Wherein hast [the Lord] loved us?” What are some evidences of the Lord’s love for us?

Malachi 3:8–12.As you read Malachi 3:8–12, invite family members to share their thoughts or feelings about tithing. What temporal and spiritual blessings have we seen from paying tithing? (see David A. Bednar, “The Windows of Heaven,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 17–20). Family members might enjoy drawing pictures to represent these blessings and hanging the pictures on a window.

Malachi 3:13–18.What does it mean to us to belong to the Lord and to be one of His “jewels”?

Malachi 4:5–6.After reading these verses, your family could identify the answers to the following questions about Malachi’s prophecy: Who? What? When? Where? Why? (see also Doctrine and Covenants 2).

How do we turn our hearts to our fathers? How are we blessed when we do? You might ponder these questions while watching the video “The Promised Blessings of Family History” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What will we do as a family to receive these blessings?

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “Family History—I Am Doing It,” Children’s Songbook, 94.

Improving Personal Study

Ask questions as you study. As you study the scriptures, questions may come to your mind. Ponder these questions, and look for answers.

Mourning’s Hosanna, by Rose Datoc Dall. A woman named Mourning stands in the spirit world, surrounded by her ancestors. She celebrates their deliverance from spiritual captivity.