The context of the book of remembrance becomes the last days. This further emphasizes the need for the Nephite record that will become the Book of Mormon, for that text has been linked directly to the events of “that day.” The Lord has already told the Nephites that the Book of Mormon would precede the gathering of Israel. Now he has Malachai verify that by pointing out that the wickedness of Israel will be reversed in that last day. In the final times, then “shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” Of course this is a reference to an Israel who has exalted the proud and the wicked in verse 15.
Textual: There is no chapter break at this point in the 1830 edition. The chapter break is made to conform to the standard chapter and verse of Malachi in the Bible.