Elijah
The Prophet of Fire
Elijah called down fire from heaven, raised the dead, and was taken up to heaven without dying. He is expected to return before the Messiah across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. The Restoration gives him a pivotal role in the last days.
Across Traditions
Judaism
Name
Eliyahu HaNavi
Role
Greatest prophet and herald of the Messiah
Summary
Elijah is the most dramatic prophet after Moses — calling down fire, ending drought, and raising the dead. He confronted the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. Like Enoch, he did not die but was taken up in a chariot of fire. Malachi prophesies his return before the Day of the Lord; a cup is set for him at Passover seders.
Source Text
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord
Malachi 4:5
Christianity
Name
Elijah / Elias
Role
Eschatological prophet and witness of the Transfiguration
Summary
Elijah appears at the Transfiguration alongside Moses, confirming Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets. Jesus identifies John the Baptist as Elijah who was to come. He is counted as one of the two witnesses in Revelation. Early Christians saw his miracles as types of Christ's ministry.
Source Text
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain... and there appeared unto them Moses and Elias
Matthew 17:1, 3
Islam
Name
Ilyas
Role
Righteous prophet who confronted idolatry
Summary
Ilyas is identified with Elijah and praised in the Quran as one of the righteous. He called his people away from idol worship toward God alone. The Quran honors him with a special blessing: 'Peace be upon Ilyas.' Islamic tradition preserves his identity as a translated, immortal prophet who continues to walk the earth.
Source Text
And indeed, Elias was from among the messengers. When he said to his people, Will you not fear Allah?
Quran 37:123-124
LDS
Name
Elijah
Role
Restorer of sealing keys in the last days
Summary
Elijah appeared in the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836, fulfilling Malachi's prophecy. He restored the sealing keys of the priesthood — the power to bind families across generations. This event is considered the theological foundation of LDS temple work for the dead and genealogy research.
Source Text
Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi — testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent... to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children
D&C 110:14-15
Connected Figures
Theme
Common Ground
Description
All four traditions affirm Elijah's miraculous translation without death and anticipate his return in some form before the end of days. He is universally seen as a figure of divine fire and judgment.
Theme
Unique Insight
Description
Judaism maintains the most vivid expectation of Elijah's literal return, symbolized by the Passover cup, while Christianity primarily interprets this as already fulfilled in John the Baptist.
Theme
Restoration Addition
Description
The Restoration gives Elijah his most specific eschatological role: the restorer of priesthood sealing authority, making temple work for ancestors possible and turning hearts across generations.