Who is Elijah?

Usually when discussing family history the term "the spirit of Elijah" is used. In order to fully understand what this is we must first understand who Elijah is.

Elijah was an Old Testament prophet. He worked miracles throughout his time on earth. He was the last prophet of his time to hold the keys of the sealing power. He was translated (taken to heaven without experiencing death) around 900 BC, because he had to retain his body in order to later give those keys to Peter, James, and John. In 430 BC, the prophet Malachi prophesied of Elijah's return. Elijah appeared to Peter, James, and John. On April 3, 1836, the prophecy of Malachi was fully fulfilled in this dispensation. The sealing powers were given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple (Family History Student Manual).

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Gospel Truths (source)

1. The sealing keys of the priesthood enable ordinances to be binding beyond the grave.
2. Elijah was the last Old Testament prophet to hold the keys of the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. In fulfillment of prophecy, Elijah restored the keys of the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood to the earth in this dispensation. 
4. The spirit of Elijah, by definition, is the Holy Ghost as His directing influence guides those who participate in family history and temple work.
5. After Elijah's return, interest in family history began to accelerate around the world. 

"Elijah came not only to stimulate research for ancestors. He also enabled families to be eternally liked beyond the bounds of mortality. Indeed, the opportunity for families to be sealed forever is the real reason of our research" (A New Harvest Time, 1998).

"The sealing of family units can be counted until the family of God is made perfect. This is the great work of the dispensation of the fulness of times, by which the hearts of the fathers are turned to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. The uniting and redemption of the family of God was the divine plan before the foundations of the earth were laid" (Elijah the Prophet, 1971).

"The turning of the hearts of the children to the fathers is placing or planting in the hearts of the children that feeling and desire which will inspire them to search out the records of the dead. Moreover the planting of the desire and inspiration in their hearts is necessary. This they must have in order that they might go into the house of the Lord and perform the necessary labor for their fathers, who died without a knowledge of the gospel, or without the privilege of receiving the fulness of the gospel" (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:127-28).

Video: By the Hand of Elijah the Prophet

I know that by understanding the importance of Elijah, I have been blessed with a greater knowledge in regards to family history work. I know that it is our responsibility to turn the hearts of the children to the fathers and the hearts of the fathers to the children. I promise that you will feel the spirit of Elijah when you make an effort to make family history a priority. 

D&C 28:15
D&C 128:17-19
D&C 110:15
D&C 124:28-36