Seminaries and Institutes
2 Kings 2: Elijah Taken into Heaven

“2 Kings 2: Elijah Taken into Heaven,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2002), 111–12

“2 Kings 2,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide, 111–12

2 Kings 2

Elijah Taken into Heaven

When we first met Elijah in 1 Kings 17, he already held the power and authority to seal shut the heavens, creating a drought in Israel. But unlike Isaiah, Jeremiah, or another of the well-known prophets, Elijah left no writings that we know of to tell us more about him. We do know that the prophet Malachi said Elijah would come before “the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5) to prepare people for the coming of the Messiah.

Because of Malachi’s prophecy, people of some other faiths today still await his coming. The New Testament records, however, that Elijah, as a translated being, appeared on a mountaintop to Peter, James, and John, three of Jesus’ Apostles (see Matthew 17:1–4). In addition, Elijah, as a resurrected being, appeared in our dispensation on 3 April 1836 in the Kirtland Temple shortly after it was dedicated. He said he came in fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy, and he restored the keys of the sealing power to the earth in preparation for the coming of the Lord (see D&C 110:13–16).

No one could be resurrected until Christ came forth from the tomb. So Elijah, in order to perform his special mission, needed to be translated. Translation means to be changed in a way that your body is no longer subject to sickness, death, or physical pain. Translation is not resurrection. This condition allows individuals to continue performing ministries that require a physical body, such as the laying on of hands for priesthood authority. Later, translated individuals will be “changed” again to be resurrected. In 3 Nephi 28:36–40, Mormon described some Nephites who were translated. In 2 Kings 2 we read the story of Elijah being translated.

Studying the Scriptures

Do activity A or B as you study 2 Kings 2.

  1. “If Ye Have Desires”

    1. Write about at least two things that show how much Elisha wanted to serve the Lord in the way Elijah did.

    2. Identify qualities of leadership you see in the life of the Savior or the prophet and explain why these qualities are important.

  2. Respecting the Lord’s Servants

    1. What does the story in 2 Kings 2 teach us about the Lord and His servants?

    2. Name at least three things you can do to show respect and reverence for the Lord’s chosen servants.