(JST, Isa. 51:19–20; Zech. 4:11–14; D&C 77:15; Rev. 11:1–14)
These two prophets were also spoken of by John the Revelator (Rev. 11:1–14), Zechariah (Zech. 4:11–14), and Joseph Smith (D&C 77:15). The two will “have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will” (Rev. 11:6)… . At the end of their designated ministry, the two prophets will be slain. Their dead bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for three and one-half days while the wicked of the world rejoice. However, their victory will be short-lived, for the two martyrs will arise as resurrected beings. A great earthquake, of a magnitude never before known, will follow and the Savior will shortly appear. The wicked will be destroyed and the earth prepared for the millennial reign.
(Hoyt W. Brewster, Jr., Isaiah Plain and Simple [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1995], 225–26.)
These two shall be followers of that humble man, Joseph Smith… . No doubt they will be members of the Council of the Twelve or of the First Presidency of the Church. Their prophetic ministry to rebellious Jewry shall be the same in length as was our Lord’s personal ministry among their rebellious forebears.
(Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965–1973], 3:509–10.)
Revelation 11:1–12 further expands and clarifies the event alluded to in Isaiah 51. According to the passage in Revelation, the Lord will give to two of his witnesses in the last days power over their enemies, as well as over the elements—accounting for destruction and famine. They will have power to withstand the enemy for a period of twelve hundred and sixty days, until “they shall have finished their testimony” (Rev. 11:7), at which point they will be killed by the forces of evil. Their bodies will lie in the street for three and one-half days while their enemies rejoice. Then they will be resurrected and will ascend to heaven in glory. The book of Revelation further associates these two witnesses with the symbolism of two olive trees and two candlesticks mentioned in Zechariah 4:11–14 (Rev. 11:4). In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord identified these two witnesses as “two prophets that are to be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration, and to prophesy to the Jews after they are gathered and have built the city of Jerusalem in the land of their fathers” (D&C 77:15).
(David Rolph Seely, Studies in Scripture, Vol. 4, ed. Kent P. Jackson [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1993], 148.)
At the end of their designated ministry—“when they shall have finished their testimony,” the Revelator tells us—“the beast … shall overcome them, and kill them.” For three and one-half days, their dead bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem while the wicked of the world “shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth” (Rev. 11:7–10). Jerusalem will then be overrun and ravished: “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city” (Zech. 14:2). “Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword. Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished” (Isa. 13:15–16).
Just when it seems that the wicked have won this final battle, their victory celebration will be cut short with the resurrection of the two slain prophets: “And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand; and the remnant were afrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven” (Rev. 11:11–13).
(Hoyt W. Brewster Jr., Behold, I Come Quickly: The Last Days and Beyond [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1994], 101–02.)
John, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation, gives us many more particulars concerning this same event. He informs us that after the city and temple are rebuilt by the Jews, the Gentiles will tread it under foot forty and two months, during which time there will be two prophets continually prophesying and working mighty miracles. And it seems that the Gentile army shall be hindered from utterly destroying and overthrowing the city, while these two prophets continue.
(Parley P. Pratt, A Voice of Warning, p. 33, as quoted in Old Testament Student Manual, 1 Kings –Malachi, Religion 302 Student Manual, 2d. ed. [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982], 293–94.)
The description of these two sons calls to mind the two witnesses who will be the major factor in keeping enemy armies from totally defeating the Jews (Rev. 11:1–6). John the Revelator describes two great servants of God who will stand and fight for Jerusalem against the armies of the world. For three and one-half years they will have power over the heavens, earth, and their enemies. Then they will be killed (Rev. 11:3–13; see Zech. 4:11–14). The two sons in Isaiah’s prophecy wield similar power and are depicted as a wild bull in a net; while the bull may be captive, it is still dangerous until it is worn down. In a few words, Isaiah describes the ministry of these two great sons. While they can not stop the eventual overthrow of Jerusalem, they keep away the destruction until they are finally subdued and killed.
(Victor L. Ludlow, Isaiah: Prophet, Seer, and Poet [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982], 431.)