The Aaronic temple (Mosaic tabernacle) :

Explanation
The tabernacle as a prototype
The Tabernacle of Moses, in spite of its ritual limitations, makes an ideal prototype for our studies. Its
symbolic instructions provide a vivid and highly accessible architectural portrayal of the long journey
back to God.
The tabernacles structure lends itself especially well to the Latter-day Saint version of the path. It begins
in the profane space outside the walls of the tabernacle, a representation of life without God. Any
individual who decides to accept God must choose to become a new person and accept a covenanted life
of obedience to God, symbolized by entering into the least sacred space of the outer court through the tri-
colored entrance of tabernacles white linen boundary; as this born-again individual continues on the path
of righteousness, he or she progresses into a life of service to God symbolized by the furniture of the more
sacred space of the Holy Place, and ends with ultimate friendship with God represented by the Ark of the
Covenant in the most sacred space of the Holy of Holies.

The materials used in the construction of this divine palace which increase in costliness as one moves
from the brass posts in the outer court to the more precious materials such as silver and especially gold in
the Holy Place and Holy of Holies accentuate the idea that the one is on the divine path to greater
holiness. Furthermore, the tabernacles existence at the center of the camp of Israel emphasizes that God
should be the center of our lives.

Beyond the general layout of the tabernacle, its individual components shed even greater light on the
particulars of the LDS plan of salvation. For instance, if the outer court, which contained the altar of
sacrifice and the wash basin symbolize the beginnings of a covenant life, then the animals offered at the
altar of sacrifice represent not only those who have had the necessary faith to sacrifice their own sins
through repentance, but also a clear reminder that Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, made our own offering
of repentance possible through his offering in Gethsemane and on the cross. Likewise, the wash basin
represents being washed clean through atonement and repentance and reminds Latter-day Saints that
baptism opens the door to salvation.

Likewise, in the Holy Place, the candleabrum, table of shewbread, and altar of incense altogether
represent the newness of character that comes upon persons who have repented and been baptized; now
born again, these individuals will continue their process toward holiness through the greater gifts that God
now offers them. For example, just as the candleabrum gives light to the Holy Place, so does the gift of
the Holy Ghost provide spiritual guidance to true disciples. In addition, fashioned to look like a stylized
almond tree, the candleabrum also symbolizes the tree of life, which itself represents atonement and
eternal life. The table of shewbread, with its twelve loaves of unleavened bread, reminds us that Gods
word is the bread of life and that the faithful must hunger after righteousness and feast on his word. It also
reminds Latter-day Saints of the opportunity to renew themselves spiritually through the ordinance of the
sacrament. The altar of incense, located directly in front of the veil separating the Holy Place and the
Holy of Holies, suggests that through prayer we petition God for his help in overcoming our separation
from him.

In the Holy of Holies, as we have already discussed, the Ark of the Covenant represents the presence of
God. This room was entered from the Holy Place by passing through a veil which had the figures of
cherubim or angels woven into its fabric. They represent the guardians of that which is holy. They signify
that we cannot get back to Gods presence except through the atonement and by obedience to the laws and
ordinances of the gospel. If we keep our covenants, the angels will let us pass into Gods presence
represented by the Ark of Covenant; if not, those same angels, represented by cherubim on the cover will
not allow us entrance.

Thus, when taken as whole, the furniture of the tabernacle teaches Latter-day Saints that they must have
faith in Christ, repent of their sins, be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. They must then live by every
word that proceeds from the lips of God, pray always so that God will allow them back into his presence,
and be obedient to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

The consecration ceremonies and robes of the ancient Israels high priest should drive home to Latter-day
Saints even more powerfully the obligations they have accepted through covenant, as well as the blessings
that God has promised for faithfulness. For instance, the ritual washing of the high priest symbolizes the
necessity of being spiritually clean, while the anointing is an act of consecration to God. The blood
sacrifices of a sin offering, a burnt offering, and a peace offering suggest that we must offer ourselves to
God, completely destroy the old person of sin, and offer God our undying friendship and loyalty. The
blood spread on the tip of Aarons right ear, thumb, and the big toe signify that we must hear the word of
God, do the word of God, and walk in his righteous paths.

The robes of the priesthood, as a whole, symbolize the spiritual renewal, available blessings, and special
promises given to those who keep their covenants. Each of the individual pieces of robing have a distinct
meaning. For instance, the mitre, or round hat, represents being eventually crowned with glory. The blue
robe, woven of one piece without seams, represents wholeness or spiritual integrity. The onyx ouches on
the shoulders of the high priest with the names of the tribes of Israel written on them signify that God is
willing to carry his peoples burdens. The twelve precious gems of the breastplate, also engraved with the
names of the tribes of Israel, indicate that Gods people are close to his heart. The bells and pomegranates
on the hem of the blue robe represented the sounding and sweetness of Gods word. The color red
represents the blood of God, while blue stands for virtue, purple for royalty, and gold for incorruptibility.
The tabernacle as a chiastic journey
The tabernacle/temple presents an antithetical journey to the Garden of Eden and Fall of Adam:
it functions as a reversal of the effects of the Fall, and includes many of the symbols in reverse
order, going from the profane to the sacred:

The schematic drawing attempts to depict the sacred landscape of Genesis in simplified
form. The first land to arise from the waters became the Mountain of the Lord, where the Lord
created Adam. It is from this divine center that creation begins and extends out in all
directions. The Hebrew for east means faceward or frontward; thus, driving Adam from
before his face is part of the continuing eastward movement. Once a year on Yom Kippur, the
Day of Atonement, Adams eastward expulsion from the Garden is reversed when the high priest
travels west past the consuming fire of the sacrifice and the purifying water of the laver, through
the veil woven with images of cherubim. Thus, he returns to the original point of creation, where
he pours out the atoning blood of the sacrifice, reestablishing the covenant relationship with
God. (Parry, Donald W. Temples of the Ancient World: Ritual and Symbolism. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Co,
1994. 134-35)

Summary of the journey of the tabernacle (Exodus 25-27):

Courtyard = Telestial
Altar & Laver = sacrifice, obedience, baptism, washing
Holy Place = Terrestrial (Garden?)
Menorah = tree of life, the cross, the light of the world (Christ)
Table of shewbread and wine = fruit of the tree of life, sacrament, flesh and blood of
Christ.
Altar of incense = prayer, sacred ritual prayer, before the veil
Veil = separation from God. We can cross the veil through the rending of Christs flesh
Holy of Holies = Celestial
Ark of the covenant = throne of God, immortality and eternal life