SABoM Doctrine & Covenants 2

The Doctrine & Covenants

By the hand of Elijah

2:1-3

¹ Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

² And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.

I [the Lord] will reveal to you [Joseph Smith] the priesthood, by the hand of Elijah. [1]

³ If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.

Otherwise, the earth would be destroyed when he came. [2]

I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah (v.1)
These words were supposedly spoken by Moroni to Joseph Smithin 1823. He was quoting from Malachi 4:5, which says nothing about the priesthood.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. Malachi 4:5
The whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming. (v.3)
This misquote of Malachi 4:6 seems to say that God won't destroy everyone on the great and dreadful day of the Lord. But that the day will come shortly after the priesthood is revealed.

Well the priesthood was supposedly revealed, and nothing happened for 190+ years.