Institute
Lesson 13: Exodus 25–30; 31:1–11; 35–40

“Lesson 13: Exodus 25–30; 31:1–11; 35–40,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 25–26

“Exodus 25–30; 31:1–11; 35–40,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 25–26

13

Exodus 25–30; 31:1–11; 35–40

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

  1. Exodus 25:8–9, 40; 26:30. The Pattern for the Tabernacle Was Given by Revelation

    1. The tabernacle was to be the house of the Lord (see Exodus 25:8–9).

    2. The Lord revealed the pattern for the tabernacle to Moses on Mount Sinai (see Exodus 25:40; 26:30; Hebrews 8:5).

Religion 301 student manual, 13-1 through 13-2.

1 Chronicles 28:11–19. For what other temple in the Old Testament did the Lord reveal the pattern? (see also D&C 95:13–17 about a temple in this dispensation).

DS, 2:245–46. Why did the Lord have Moses construct the tabernacle in the way he did?

TPJS, p. 91.What truth did the Prophet Joseph Smith teach about “the order of the house of God”?

  1. Exodus 25:1–7; 30:11–16; 31:1–11; 35:1–36:7; 38:21–31. The People Gave Freely of Their Time and Goods to Construct the Tabernacle

    1. Material gifts were brought for the tabernacle (see Exodus 25:1–7; 35:1–29).

    2. Bezaleel and Aholiab were called as artisans (see Exodus 31:1–11; 35:30–35; 36:1–7).

    3. Each man gave money as a “ransom for his soul unto the Lord” (Exodus 30:12). Its use was prescribed (see Exodus 30:11–16; 38:21–31).

Religion 301 student manual, 13-3.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7. Whom does Paul say the Lord loves?

Proverbs 3:9. What is one way we can honor the Lord?

D&C 97:10–12. How are the means for building temples obtained in this dispensation?

James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord, pp. 2–3. Why were only the best materials acceptable for the tabernacle?

Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, pp. 243–44. What should we do in addition to expressing a willingness to share our temporal wealth?

  1. Exodus 25:10–39; 26:31–35; 27:20–21; 30:1–10; 37. The Interior Furnishings of the Tabernacle Were Provided

    1. The ark of the testimony, the sacred vessel of the Holy of Holies, was revealed and prepared (see Exodus 25:10–22; 26:34; 37:1–9).

    2. The sacred vessels of the holy place were revealed and prepared: the table of shewbread (see Exodus 25:23–30; 26:35; 37:10–16), the golden candlestick (see Exodus 25:31–39; 27:20–21; 37:17–24), the veil (see Exodus 26:31–33), and the altar of incense (see Exodus 30:1–10; 37:25–29).

Religion 301 student manual, 13-4 through 13-8; 13-17.

Hebrews 9:1–7; Leviticus 16. Who was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies? Note: The “holy place” of Leviticus 16 is actually the Holy of Holies (see Leviticus 16:2–3; 13–14; Exodus 26:33–34).

James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord, p. 3. Who could enter the most holy place? What requirements had to be met before the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies?

Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple, p. 4. What is the purpose of the Holy of Holies in the temple today?

  1. Exodus 26:1–29, 36–37; 27:1–19; 30:17–21; 36:8–38; 38:1–20. The Exterior Furnishings and Outer Court of the Tabernacle Were Prepared

    1. The tabernacle had a wooden framework covered with beautiful and precious materials (see Exodus 26:1–29, 36–37; 36:8–38).

    2. An outer courtyard containing the altar of burnt offerings and the laver surrounded the tabernacle (see Exodus 27:1–19; 30:17–21; 38:1–20).

Religion 301 student manual, 13-9 through 13-12.

  1. Exodus 28–29; 30:30–31; 39:1–31; 40:12–16. Priesthood Bearers Were Prepared and Consecrated According to Revelation

    1. Aaron and his sons were called by Moses through revelation to serve in priesthood offices (see Exodus 28:1).

    2. The priests were consecrated according to the Lord’s instructions (see Exodus 29; 30:30–31; 40:12–16).

    3. The official clothing of the high priest was prepared in accordance with revelation (see Exodus 28:2–43; 39:1–31).

Religion 301 student manual, 13-13; 13-16; 13-18.

Hebrews 5:4. How must a priesthood holder be called?

D&C 42:11. How can we know who the Lord’s authorized servants are?

DS, 3:86. How did the Lord distinguish between the Aaronic and Levitical priesthoods?

  1. Exodus 30:22–33; 39:32–43; 40:1–11, 16–38. The Tabernacle Was Reared and Anointed, and It Was Accepted by God

    1. All the materials for the tabernacle were finished and brought to Moses (see Exodus 39:32–43).

    2. The tabernacle was set up, and Moses anointed it and the sacred vessels within it, according to the Lord’s instructions (see Exodus 30:22–33; 40:1–11, 16–33).

    3. The Lord accepted the tabernacle as his dwelling place on earth (see Exodus 40:34–38).

Religion 301 student manual, 13-14 through 13-15; 13-18 through 13-19.

D&C 124:38. Why did the Lord tell Moses to build the tabernacle?

DS, 2:235. What was one of the purposes of the tabernacle?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

The Tabernacle in the Days of Moses (Sections A–F)

Show slide set K, The Tabernacle:A Type for the Temples. If you do not have access to the slide set, use transparencies 14 and 15 as an aid in your discussion. Describe the various parts of the tabernacle and their purpose:

“The Lord revealed a pattern for his sanctuary so that his children could better be taught how to return to his presence. … The building, its placement, the furniture, the clothing—each item was specified by the Lord to bear witness, in typology, symbolism, and similitude, of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice.

“We know from latter-day revelation that the ordinances of the temple symbolically teach us the means for becoming ’endowed with power’ to the point that we can reenter the presence of God. … the revelations for the tabernacle … show that this structure … fulfilled the same divine purpose. For those who were spiritually sensitive, it taught one how to come back into the presence of God. [See John A. Widtsoe, Temple Worship (n.p: Stake Presidencies of the Brigham Young University Stakes, 1964), pp. 2–3; Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:235, 245–46; James E. Talmage, The House of The Lord, p. 4.]

“… the three divisions of the temple represented the three levels of spiritual life, such as telestial, terrestrial, and celestial [see Religion 301 student manual, 13–19]. … the design of the tabernacle, its layout, and the placement of the various objects, could contribute to one’s understanding of how, by righteous living in this life, he could move into a celestial state of existence.

“As the priest moved step by step through the tabernacle toward the Holy of Holies and the symbolic presence of God, he first came to the altar of sacrifice where he symbolically offered his life or the life of the candidate (through the blood of the sacrificial animals) as the first step in reconciliation with God. This sacrifice could be likened unto true repentance, in which the natural or sinful man gives up his life through a broken heart and a contrite spirit [see Mosiah 3:19; Romans 6:1–6; 3 Nephi 9:20].

“Once this sacrifice was made, the priest proceeded to the great laver, which stood next in the line of progression. As we have seen, this ordinance of washing his hands and feet symbolized the cleansing power of baptism, the next step after true repentance. [See Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 104.]

“When one has repented and been cleansed from sin, one enters a new life of holiness and purity through the power of the Atonement, a life guided by the Holy Spirit. Similarly, when a person entered the holy place, he was surrounded by the beautiful walls of the tabernacle. On one side stood the great candlestick which illuminated the chamber. This light came from the olive oil, a symbol of the Holy Ghost [see D&C 45:56–57; Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:684]. On the other side of the holy place stood the table of shewbread, upon which was the bread and the wine. The emblems of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for mankind were changed each Sabbath day. …

“Directly in front of the veil sat the golden altar of incense, upon which the priests burned the sacred incense twice a day. … Prayer, symbolized by the rising incense, is the key to preparing ourselves so we are worthy to enter the realms of godliness. The actual presence of God was symbolized by the ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies.

“Thus we see how the layout of the tabernacle suggested a straight and narrow path leading to eternal life and also the steps that one must undertake if he is to return to the presence of God in the celestial kingdom.” (Old Testament Slide Set K, The Tabernacle: A Type for the Temples, frames 74–80.)