Out of the thunders of Sinai the Lord revealed a glorious plan by which He could redeem the
children of Israel. The Lord opened the heavens to Moses and through him taught Israel how
to come back into the presence of the Lord through the atonement of Jesus Christ as represented
by the symbolic progression of the tabernacle.
Deep meaning is associated with the physical dimensions and plan of the tabernacle. They
were meant to reflect spiritual patterns that are also reflected in Latter-day Saint temples today.
The tabernacle and its court became a school in which the things of heaven were to be revealed
to the Lord’s people. It was originally intended that all Israelites would be able
to progress from the outer court, to the holy place, and then into the holy of holies, symbolically
reentering the presence of God. This symbolic journey, however, was denied Israel because
of her pride and rebellion. Israel lost these higher blessings and became dependent instead
on the officiating priests who acted as proxy on their behalf.
But that loss of privilege in no way implies that the tabernacle lost its significance
for Israel. Though the fulness of temple blessings were withheld from Israel, the layout and
construction of the tabernacle itself symbolized our progress toward perfection.
There are three major divisions or areas in the tabernacle: the outer courtyard; the first
room of the tabernacle proper, or holy place; and the inner room, or holy of holies. In
modern temples three levels of life are also depicted by rooms in the temple: the world,
or telestial, room; the terrestrial room; and the celestial room.
The world room depicts the world in which we live and die. Here instruction is given
regarding man’s second estate and the manner in which he may overcome the obstacles of mortality.
The terrestrial room is symbolic of the peace that may be attained by men as they overcome
their fallen condition through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.
The celestial room symbolizes the eternal joy and peace found in the presence of God.
If we compare the three divisions of the tabernacle with these three levels of spiritual life,
we find some interesting parallels and insights.
The first thing encountered as one entered the main gate of the tabernacle was the altar
of sacrifice. Here the various animals and other offerings were slain and offered to
the Lord representing the sacrifice of the only begotten Son. Strict obedience and sacrifice
were thus required as the first step in the symbolic progression towards perfection and
entry into God’s presence. This first step could be likened to having faith in Christ
and repentance. Jesus taught the Nephites that He had fulfilled the law of Moses, and
now the sacrifice required of them was "a broken heart and a contrite spirit," which
would lead to the baptism with "fire and with the Holy Ghost."
Directly in line next in the courtyard was the laver, or basin of water, which was used
for washing and cleansing. When Solomon built a permanent temple, he placed the laver on
the backs of twelve oxen, a symbolism carried on in modern temples. Since the baptismal
font itself is a “similitude of the grave,” where the “old man” of sin is buried,
the symbolism of the laver seems clear. Once the natural man is sacrificed (or put to death
through a broken heart or sincere and deep repentance), he is cleansed by both the waters
of baptism and the fires of the Holy Ghost. Once this cleansing is done, he is prepared
to leave the world, or a telestial way of living, and be born into
a higher state of spiritual life.
Three articles of furniture were found in the first room of the tabernacle: the table
of shewbread, the sacred candlestick, and the altar of incense. Each article had its
own significance. The table of shewbread, which had the bread and wine changed each
Sabbath day, was a symbol similar to the sacramental emblems of today. They typified the body and
blood of the Son of God, of which the spiritual person partakes consistently so that he can
have spiritual life in Christ. The candlestick, or lampstand, with its seven branches and
its olive oil symbolized the perfect light of the Spirit through which the spiritually
reborn person sees all truth.
The third article in the holy place was the altar of incense which stood directly in front
of the veil, representing the prayers ascending to heaven before the veil of the temple. This
altar suggests the third dominant aspect of the person living by the principles and ordinances
of the gospel, that is, consistent seeking of the Lord’s power and revelation through prayer.
Just as the celestial room in modern temples symbolizes the kingdom where God dwells, so
did the holy of holies in the ancient tabernacle. The only article of furniture in this inner
room was the ark of the covenant, which the Lord Himself said was the place where He would
meet Moses and commune with the people. Both on the veil, separating the holy place from
the most holy, and on the lid to the ark were cherubim, or angels. This use of angels provided
a beautiful representation of the concept taught in latter-day scripture that one passes
by the angels on his way to exaltation.
In summary, the tabernacle and its plan and the ordinances thereof illustrate the grand
and glorious symbolism of mankind’s progress from a state of being alienated from God to
one of full communion with Him where we enter back into His presence
through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.