Malachi: Lesson 159
Malachi 4
Sealing Power
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
In sacred temples, the Savior unites families for eternity through sealing keys. Malachi prophesied that the Savior would restore these keys to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6). This lesson can help you turn your heart to your parents, ancestors, and future posterity.
Study the Scriptures
A Great Basin bristlecone pine tree (Pinus longaeva) in California named Methuselah has long been considered Earth’s oldest tree. According to data, Methuselah is 4,853 years old—meaning it was well established by the time ancient Egyptians built the pyramids at Giza. It stands 18 meters (about 60 feet) tall.
What would happen if the roots or branches died? Why are both necessary for the health of the tree?
In the scriptures, the Lord often uses the metaphor of a tree with roots and branches to teach about family. If you were the tree, who would the roots and branches represent in your family?
Watch the video “By the Hand of Elijah the Prophet“ (3:32) from time code 0:00 to 0:56 for insights about a family tree.
For a tree to live and grow, it needs both roots (ancestors) and branches (posterity).
As you study Malachi 4, consider what the Savior has done to strengthen and preserve the roots and branches of your family tree. You might offer a silent prayer, asking Heavenly Father to help you understand what you can do to strengthen your family.
Families. All families are different. The Savior is completely aware of your circumstances. He can provide needed hope and healing for your past, present, and future families through His Atonement.
Read Malachi 4:1, looking for what will happen to the roots and branches of the wicked at Christ’s Second Coming.
Link the following statement by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to Malachi 4:1.
Without the sealings that create eternal families and link generations here and hereafter, we would be left in eternity with neither roots nor branches—that is, neither ancestry nor posterity. (“The Sealing Power,” Liahona, Nov. 2023, 21)
Read Malachi 4:5–6. Mark what the Savior promised to do so families could be sealed together.
The Savior sent Elijah to restore the sealing keys and turn families’ hearts to each other. This promise was fulfilled on April 3, 1836, when Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple (see Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16). The sealing keys Elijah restored make sacred ordinances valid on earth and in heaven (Doctrine and Covenants 138:47–48).
Malachi 4:5–6 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider tagging doctrinal mastery passages with the topic they teach so you can find them easily later. Memorize the reference and key scripture phrase “Elijah ‘shall turn … the heart of the children to their fathers.” Use the first letter of each word: E S T T H O T C T T F. Repeat the phrase using the letters until you have memorized the phrase.
Read the following statement by Elder Christofferson. Look for how the Savior blesses us with His sealing power in holy temples:
[In the Lord’s temple] we see the majesty and sacredness of the sealing power—it makes individual salvation and family exaltation universally available to the children of God wherever and whenever they may have lived on the earth. No other theology or philosophy or authority can match such an all-inclusive opportunity. This sealing power is a perfect manifestation of the justice, mercy, and love of God. (“The Sealing Power,” Liahona, Nov. 2023, 20, 21)
What impresses you from this statement?
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
How can I turn my heart toward my ancestors?
Complete one or more of the following instructions. As you study, reflect on how the Savior and His sealing power strengthen your ancestors and your relationship with them.
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Write a positive memory you have about a parent or grandparent. Or read about an ancestor in the “Memories” section on FamilySearch.org or the FamilySearch Family Tree app. Think about why the Savior might want you to connect with this ancestor.
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Study Doctrine and Covenants 128:16–18, looking for why doing baptisms for the dead and other temple work for your ancestors is an important part of God’s plan.
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Search for “family history” under Topics in the General Conference section of Gospel Library. Choose one of the talks, and study some or all of it.
Option B
How can I turn my heart toward my posterity?
Complete one or more of the following instructions. As you study, reflect on how the Savior and His sealing power help you strengthen your posterity.
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Review the questions asked in a temple recommend interview and reflect on how your answers can bless your family now and your future family. These questions can be found in the appendix of For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices.
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Search the Young Women Theme or Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme, looking for phrases that can prepare you to bless your future spouse and children.
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Write a letter to your future spouse or children explaining what you are doing now to be worthy of the temple and to prepare for an eternal family.
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you turn your heart to your parents, ancestors, and future posterity.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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What Malachi 4 helped you understand about families or the sealing power.
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What you did to turn your heart to either your ancestors or your posterity.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?