Finding Christ in the Ancient Tabernacle
For those interested in the ancient Tabernacle and how it teaches us about Jesus Christ, several videos have been provided from the Messages of Christ series, produced and narrated by Daniel Smith, that bring further insight and depth to the topic. In addition, seven Learning Guides are available that teach about various aspects of the Tabernacle and its vessels, the High Priest, the sacrificial ordinances and their related symbolism to Jesus Christ and his mission.
Learning Guides
The Lord's Way of Teaching
Holy Places
The Promise
Organize Thyself
The Lord teaches His children through symbols — simple, powerful likenesses found in the scriptures, ordinances, and the world around us. These symbols invite us to see beyond the surface, allowing the Spirit to reveal deeper truths about Jesus Christ and God’s plan. As we study with faith and seek revelation, symbols help eternal principles become personal, memorable, and transformative, bearing record of Christ in both temporal and spiritual ways.
From the Garden of Eden to modern temples, the Lord has taught His children through sacred spaces set apart for His presence. Holy places are environments of covenant, preparation, and progression—where heaven and earth meet. Though sin separates humanity from God, the Lord provides a divinely ordered path back to Him through Jesus Christ. Mountains, tabernacles, and temples all follow the same pattern: ascending step by step toward holiness, guided by covenants, mediation, and divine ordinances. Through Christ, every holy place points us toward returning to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
God promised Israel that through His covenant they could become a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. Beginning with Abraham, priesthood authority was given to bless all nations and lead God’s people into His presence. When Israel turned away from this higher invitation, the Lord mercifully provided a preparatory priesthood filled with symbols and ordinances. These practices pointed forward to Jesus Christ, the true High Priest, who would fully open the way back to God.
To prepare to receive the Lord in His sanctuary, the Children of Israel needed to be organized around and focused on the Tabernacle. It prioritized priesthood, sanctity of the sanctuary, and the order and responsibilities of the tribes. It taught the Israelites how God functions by mirroring His heavenly abode among them. It was also a shadow of the latter-day gathering of Israel both around and in His holy house, the temples, and teaches today all who covenant with God who they are and to whom they belong.
The Lord's Sanctuary
Atonement
Salvation
The Tabernacle reveals a progression of holiness as one transcends this world to heavenly space through the application of the atonement. It is a reminder of God’s love and His willingness to bring us back into His presence through His son. Though seemingly foreign from a distant past, each part of the Tabernacle is a shadow or type of the Savior’s mission and atoning sacrifice. They are reminders of God’s covenants with the Children of Israel, His mercy and desire to have us return to Him.
The special sacrificial ordinances were done to provide atonement for the individual, priest and all of Israel. It was the Lord’s way of teaching the children of Israel the process of repentance and the price that would be paid for having their sins forgiven and reinstating holiness. It foreshadowed the great and final sacrifice and atonement that would be made for all of mankind by the Son of God, which was promised by Heavenly Father in the Garden of Eden.
The shadows and types found in the Tabernacle help prepare all for becoming holy to enter the Lord’s presence. That occurs only through the sacrifice of the Son of God foreshadowed in the Tabernacle’s ordinances and sacrifices. It helps all to understand the power of covenant making with God and the saving grace of the Lord’s Plan of Salvation – the “Way” back to Him. The instruments, guides and nourishment given in the journey are revealed through the Tabernacle.
Messages of Christ by Daniel Smith
The Tabernacle and the Messiah
The Tabernacle of Moses served as the Sanctuary for Israel for over 400 years. It was the place where the Lord communed with His people and taught them about the coming Messiah, even Jesus Christ.
The Tabernacle of Moses was the most sacred place for almost 400 years, where Israel learned how to come back into the presence of the Lord, through the priests. This video is the first of 8 videos that will help followers of Christ better understand the importance of the Tabernacle gate and courtyard, and how it relates to the Savior. The video includes 3D models of the Tabernacle to help visually show the Tabernacle like never before, bringing you closer to Christ.
Finding Christ in the Gate & Courtyard
Tabernacle Courtyard 3D Animation
3D animation showing how the courtyard of the Tabernacle of Moses was constructed as described in Exodus 27:9-19 and Exodus 38:9-20. This is the first part of a nine video series showing the full Tabernacle construction. Each video also has a companion explainer video that goes through the construction in more detail giving symbolism and meaning as it relates to Jesus Christ the Messiah.
The bronze altar of sacrifice in the Tabernacle of Moses was the place where Israel could be reconciled with God. Here the people learned that it was only through the shedding of blood that the remission of sins could be made. All of these sacrifices ultimately pointed to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.
Finding Christ in the Alter
3D animation showing how the altar of sacrifice of the Tabernacle of Moses was constructed as described in Exodus 27:1–8 and Exodus 38:1–7. This is the second part of a nine video series showing the full Tabernacle construction. Each video also has a companion explainer video that goes through the construction in more detail giving symbolism and meaning as it relates to Jesus Christ the Messiah.
Altar of Sacrifice 3D Animation
The bronze laver in the Tabernacle of Moses was used by the priests to become ritually clean before serving in the Tabernacle. Here, Aaron and his sons were washed, clothed, and anointed at the laver, preparatory to them becoming priests. The laver was also the place where the priests ritually washed each time they served. These cleansing waters of the laver can teach us that it is only through the Savior that we can become spiritually clean.
Finding Christ in the Bronze Lever
3D animation showing how the bonze laver of the Tabernacle of Moses was constructed as described in Exodus 30:17-21 and Exodus 38:8. This is the third part of an eight video series showing the full Tabernacle construction. Each video also has a companion explainer video that goes through the construction in more detail giving symbolism and meaning as it relates to Jesus Christ the Messiah.
Bronze Laver 3D Animation
Finding Chris in the Table of Showbread
Each Sabbath, the priests partook of the 12 loaves of showbread as a communal meal in the presence of the Lord within the Tabernacle of Moses. This bread was to symbolize that all of Israel, through the priests, shared in a symbolic meal with God, becoming at peace with Him. Jesus Christ called Himself the bread of life, and taught that if we partake of his flesh and blood, we will have eternal life!
Table of Showbread 3D Animation
3D animation showing how the table of showbread of the Tabernacle of Moses was constructed as described in Exodus 25:23-30 and Exodus 37:10-16. This is the fourth part of an eight video series showing the full Tabernacle construction. Each video also has a companion explainer video that goes through the construction in more detail giving symbolism and meaning as it relates to Jesus Christ the Messiah.
Finding Christ in the Menorah
The golden menorah is one of the most recognized symbols of the Jewish faith. The menorah originally was used in the Tabernacle and ancient temples to light the holy place and was the only source of light. The symbolism of the menorah can teach us about our true source of light, even Jesus Christ, who lights our path as we make our journey back to the presence of God.
Golden Menorah 3D Animation
3D animation showing how the golden menorah of the Tabernacle of Moses was constructed as described in Exodus 25:31-40 and Exodus 37:17-24. This is the fifth part of an eight video series showing the full Tabernacle construction. Each video also has a companion explainer video that goes through the construction in more detail giving symbolism and meaning as it relates to Jesus Christ the Messiah.
The golden altar of incense was placed before the veil of the Tabernacle of Moses. Every morning and evening the priest burned incense there, offering prayers on behalf of all Israel. Through the symbolism of this sacred altar, we can learn of the powerful connection between the power of prayer and the Savior’s suffering and sacrifice.
The Altar of Incense, Explained
Altar of Incense 3D Animation
Ark of the Covenant Explained
Ark of the Covenant 3D Animation
Jesus Christ the Great High Priest
3D animation showing how the golden altar of incense of the Tabernacle of Moses was constructed as described in Exodus 30:1-10 and Exodus 37:25-29. This is the sixth part of an eight video series showing the full Tabernacle construction. Each video also has a companion explainer video that goes through the construction in more detail giving symbolism and meaning as it relates to Jesus Christ the Messiah.
The Ark of the Covenant, a captivating relic from biblical history, symbolizes God's covenant with His people. Nestled within the ancient Israelite Tabernacle, it served as a conduit between humanity and the divine. Despite its mysterious disappearance, the Ark's allure extends beyond biblical narratives, inspiring Hollywood's fascination, as seen in the iconic "Indiana Jones" series. The ongoing search for the Ark, marked by claims of discovery, reflects a quest to unravel its mysteries and understand its profound significance. The Ark of the Covenant was placed beyond the veil in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle of Moses. The high priest could only enter this sacred room on one day a year, the Day of Atonement, when he sprinkled blood on the ark. Through the symbolism of the ark of the covenant, we can learn of the powerful connection between the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ that covers or blots out our sins.
3D animation showing how the Ark of the Covenant of the Tabernacle of Moses was constructed as described in Exodus 25:10-22 and Exodus 37:1-9. This is the seventh part of an eight part video series showing the full Tabernacle construction. Each video also has a companion explainer video that goes through the construction in more detail giving symbolism and meaning as it relates to Jesus Christ the Messiah.
An explanation on why Jesus Christ is called the Great High Priest by Paul in the book of Hebrews, and by others.
The Jewish Priestly Garments
A description of the Priestly Garments as found in Exodus 28 (KJV), including the clothing of the High Priest and of the normal Priest.
The Day of the Atonement
The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is the most holy and solemn day of the Jewish calendar. It is the only day when the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place within the Tabernacle and ancient temples. It was the only day when the high priest reconciled Israel with God and symbolically brought them back into the presence of the Lord. No other day, and no other ancient ritual comes closer to the full meaning and purpose of the atonement of Jesus Christ.
The Day of the Atonement Cont.
Reenactment of the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. As part of the ritual the scapegoat was selected, and the high priest (by the blood of the sacrifices) would enter the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle and sprinkle blood on the Ark of the Covenant. The text of the video comes directly from the KJV of Leviticus 16:2-5, 7-8, 11-15, 18, 20-22, 24, 34.
Tabernacle of Moses
Video highlights showing the Tabernacle of Moses replica built by the Huntington Beach Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their 2016 Tabernacle Youth Camp.
Ever wonder what the Tabernacle of Moses might have looked like? Experience it like never before with this incredible 3D model.
3D Tabernacle of Moses
Temple Hidden in the Garden of Eden
Hidden within the Bible is a pattern—a sacred blueprint woven throughout its holy stories. It tells of a lost paradise, the tragedy of exile, and the promise of return. Though obscured by time, translation, and culture, this ancient pattern reveals a message that lies at the heart of the biblical story: humanity’s salvation and return to God’s presence through the sacrifice of the Messiah.
The Tabernacle and the Temple
A video discussing the layout and symbolic progression found in both the ancient Tabernacle of Moses and modern Latter-day Saint Temples.