Table of Contents
Building the Tabernacle
Exodus CHAPTER 35 Israel is admonished to observe the Sabbath—Free gifts are offered for the tabernacle—The calls and inspiration of certain artisans are confirmed.
Exodus CHAPTER 36 Wise-hearted men are chosen to work on the tabernacle—Moses restrains the people from donating any more material.
Exodus CHAPTER 37 Bezaleel makes the ark, the mercy seat, and the cherubims—He makes the table, the vessels, the candlestick, the incense altar, the holy anointing oil, and the sweet incense.
Exodus CHAPTER 38 Bezaleel and others make the altar of burnt offerings and all things pertaining to the tabernacle—Offerings are made by 603,550 men.
Friend May 2022 “Come, Follow Me Activities” Build a Tabernacle
Story: The Lord asked Moses and his people to build a tabernacle. A tabernacle is like a temple. The Lord told them to build it like a tent so they could take it with them as they traveled to the promised land. You can read about it in Exodus 39:33–43.
Song: “I Love to See the Temple” (Children’s Songbook, 95)
Activity: Build a tent like the tabernacle. You can use blankets, towels, chairs, and anything else in your home. Then sit in your tent and talk about why temples are important. Or you could make a small tabernacle with blocks or other items.
God has given me gifts to help with His work.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 16; 19”
- Consider reading with them Exodus 36:1 to find out what the Lord gave Bezaleel and Aholiab to help build the tabernacle. Testify that God has “put” gifts into each of His children. Every one of Heavenly Father’s children has something to contribute to His work. The children you teach may need your help to recognize how they can use their gifts to help in God’s work. You could then talk with your children about what you feel the Lord has given them to help build His kingdom. How can we use these things to bless others?
Friend March 2017 “What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?” This activity from the Friend can help family members learn about their own spiritual gifts.
Friend May 2021 “What Are Your Gifts?” Spiritual gifts are blessings or abilities that God has given to each of His children.
Friend June 2024 “I Can Serve at Church”
At the end of this outline is a picture of the Israelites’ wilderness tabernacle. You might want to look at it with your children and ask them what materials would have been needed to build the tabernacle. Then you could read together Exodus 35:20–29 to find out how these materials were provided. How has the Lord invited us to contribute to building His kingdom?
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 16; 19” In Exodus 36:1–7, What do we learn from the way the Israelites responded to the command to build the tabernacle? As a family, you could think of ways the Lord has invited us to participate in His work. How can we follow the Israelites’ example?
- Tell the children why you want to help with the Lord’s work. Help them think of ways they can participate too. Write their ideas on slips of paper, put them in a container, and invite each child to choose one and act out the action on the slip of paper. Ideas might include:
- Put away a hymnbook.
- Pick up trash I see.
- Help hold up a picture.
- Help clean the church building.
- Give talks
- Give prayers
- Learn about an ancestor
- Share something you learned at church with a friend.
For additional teaching ideas see Church Service
Tabernacle is Complete and Aaron is Anointed
Exodus CHAPTER 39 Holy garments are made for Aaron and the priests—The breastplate is made—The tabernacle of the congregation is finished—Moses blesses the people.
Exodus CHAPTER 40 The tabernacle is reared—Aaron and his sons are washed and anointed and given an everlasting priesthood—The glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle—A cloud covers the tabernacle by day, and fire rests on it by night.
Scripture Helps: Old Testament “Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19”
Aaron and his sons received the Aaronic (or Levitical) Priesthood and were appointed as priests. Aaron was further designated as the first high priest, or the presiding officer of the Levitical Priesthood.
The Lord command Moses to wash, anoint, and clothe Aaron and his sons. The act of washing symbolized being spiritually cleansed. When Moses anointed Aaron and his sons with sacred oil, he set them apart to perform their special duties in the service of God.
I can feel the Lord’s presence in holy places.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026
- Exodus 40:17–34 lists things that were part of the Israelites’ tabernacle. Maybe you and your children could find them in these verses and in the picture of the tabernacle at the end of this outline. Talk about how each part of the tabernacle could teach about the Savior or Heavenly Father. For example, the ark of testimony could remind us of God’s commandments, the altar could remind us of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, and so on.
Scripture Helps: Old Testament The following objects were contained in the ancient tabernacle:
Altar of sacrifice The altar in the outer courtyard was used for animal sacrifices. Animal sacrifices were symbolic of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Laver of water Here the priests washed their hands and feet before entering the tabernacle or officiating at the altar of sacrifice. This was a reminder for the Israelites of the need to be clean as they participated in sacred ordinances and prepared to enter the Lord’s presence.
Table of shewbread The 12 loaves of unleavened bread on the table of shewbread (pronounced showbread) served as a reminder to the Israelites that Jehovah was their continual provider. He is the bread of life.
Candlestick Light is a symbol of Jesus Christ, who is “the light of the world.” The light from the lamps can also symbolize other sources of light the Lord has blessed us with, including the Holy Ghost and the scriptures.
Altar of incense The altar of incense was placed in front of the veil leading to the Holy of Holies. The high priest burned incense each morning and night at this altar. The smoke from the incense represented the prayers of the faithful ascending to God.
Veil The veil symbolized the “separation between God and man.” Just as the veil of the temple gave the high priest access to the Holy of Holies, it is only through Jesus Christ and His Atonement that we can enter God’s presence.
Ark of the covenant The mercy seat represented the throne of God. After the Lord gave Moses instructions for creating the ark of the covenant, He promised, “There I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat.”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 16; 19”The Lord commanded the children of Israel to build the tabernacle so He could “dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). You can help the children learn about the holy places God has given us today to help us feel His presence. The tabernacle not only allowed the children of Israel to have the presence of God with them, but it also taught them things they could do to become more like God.
- What holy places do we have today that help us feel closer to Jesus Christ? As part of this conversation, you could watch together the video “Temples” (Gospel Library). You could also sing a song like “Holy Places” (Gospel Library). Share with each other how you feel about sacred places like the temple.
- Complete the activity page with the children. As you do, sing a song with them about the temple, such as “I Love to See the Temple” (Children’s Songbook, 95).
Burnt Sacrifice Offerings in Tabernacle
Leviticus CHAPTER 1 Animals without blemish are sacrificed as an atonement for sins—Burnt offerings are a sweet savor unto the Lord.
Leviticus CHAPTER 16 How and when Aaron must enter the holy place is explained—Sacrifices are offered to reconcile Israel to God—The scapegoat carries away the sins of the people—The sins of all Israel are forgiven on the Day of Atonement.
Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I can be forgiven.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026
The animal sacrifices described in the Old Testament were meant to teach the children of Israel about forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Consider how reading about these sacrifices could do the same for your children. You could show pictures of Jesus Christ in Gethsemane and on the cross (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 56, 57) as you read with the children Leviticus 1:1–4. Help them find words or phrases that remind them of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 16; 19”
- Show a picture of Jesus Christ visiting the people in the Americas (such as Gospel Art Book, no. 82). Explain that after Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, He taught the people in America why they no longer needed to sacrifice animals. Read together 3 Nephi 9:19–20, and ask the children what we are commanded to sacrifice instead. What does it mean to offer a sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit? Suggest that they search “Broken Heart” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) for help answering this question. Invite them to ponder how they can offer a broken heart and contrite spirit to the Lord.
Leviticus CHAPTER 19 Israel is commanded: Be holy, live righteously, love your neighbor, and keep the commandments—The Lord reveals and reaffirms sundry laws and commandments—Enchantments, wizardry, prostitution, and all evil practices are forbidden.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 16; 19” Family members could each find a verse in this chapter that they feel will help them “be holy” (Leviticus 19:2) and share it with the family.
Additional Resources
See Old Testament Stories & Lesson Ideas & Old Testament: Activities & Games for additional lesson resources.
Old Testament Seminary Student Material “Leviticus
Scripture Helps: Old Testament “Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19”
Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel “Exodus 25–30; 35–40: The House of the Lord in the Wilderness”
Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel “Leviticus 1–10: A Law of Performances and Ordinances, Part 1: Sacrifices and Offerings”
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