You know the old saying: If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it? Living proof, right here.
Last month the leadership of our church congregation was asked to get 16 volunteers for a religious exhibit in a neighboring city. All 16 people were to serve 3 or so hours each. The assigned date was the first day of Spring Break for our school district. So, when we couldn’t get 16 volunteers, the leadership ended up doing the job. Since I’m Relief Society president I took one time slot and poor Dave found himself volunteered with me (we call him my Third Counselor). Lest you feel me complaining, let me tell you it ended up being a good thing, a memorable event, and we feel blessed for what we did. For the sake of myself and my posterity, let me tell you what we did.
The exhibit is a full-size replica of the portable Tabernacle that the Children of Israel carried with them during their 40 years in the wilderness after they left Egypt.
Now skip ahead many thousands of years to this month and this place. Some really cool people decided to build a replica of this portable tabernacle and they brought it to Bountiful, Utah, just down the road from us. It’s taken a lot of work, and lots of sacrifice. It is such a gift to our community to have a chance to experience this life-size replica.
Dave and I were assigned to explain the High Priest’s clothing.
I spent a full day studying the High Priest clothing, not because they demanded it of me in order to volunteer, but because I got caught in that Google loop where you read one thing and it leads to another then another, and all of it is symbolic and therefore interesting.
There are two major things that really struck me in my study of the High Priest clothing:
1. There is one full chapter in the book of Exodus dedicated exclusively to what this clothing should be made of and what it should look like. Chapter 28 in Exodus. It is extremely detailed. Let me first say that, if I were to read this chapter in a chronological reading of the Old Testament, it would likely be one of those chapters I read with glazed-over eyes, because these details seem, well… boring. But here’s my take on it now:
There are some scriptures that give us profound commandments, or advice, or deep truth in a few short scriptures. The Lord says, “Do this” or “Be this” and then gives us some latitude to create our own way of doing it. Then there are other times when He commands exactness. In certain prayers, and rituals he gives us great detail to follow, expecting us to complete them exactly as outlined. This is one of those. I do not know why some things demand exactness and others give us creative freedom, but I’m not God nor do I think like Him. I am impressed to believe that when he gives us exact particulars, he needs us to follow them
2. Exodus 28:2 says: And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. I am struck by the wonderful combination of words “glory” and “beauty”. I love that our Maker values not just glory, but also beauty.
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| The colors woven into the clothing represent holiness, royalty, and purity |
Aaron, the brother of Moses, was anointed to be the first High Priest, and his sons were set apart as Priests in this tabernacle. He served as a shadow of the Lord Himself when he wore this clothing and performed his duties in the tabernacle. (think Aaronic Priesthood) He represented God Among Us, and his clothing used the colors of the tabernacle itself. The High Priest became a representation of the Lord Himself.
He was first clothed in pure white linen, in a pair of pantaloons that came to his knee. Then over top a full white linen robe, tied with a sash at the waist. There would also be a white turbin wrapped around his head. This same white clothing would be worn by Aarons sons, Priests in the Temple. But Aaron, as the High Priest, would also wear the following:
A blue robe, worn over top of the linen, around the bottom of which were sewn small balls of red, blue, purple and gold, alternating in a row at the hemline with small gold bells. When the High Priest entered the tabernacle, he would be heard. Especially when he entered the Holy of Holies, one day a year, representing God’s people, the bells would somehow shield him from death.
Atop the blue cloak there would be woven an ephod or apron that came around his body and up over his shoulders. This would also be woven with the finest workmanship of the holy colors of Red, Blue, Purple, Gold and White. Sewn onto the shoulder straps would pieces of onyx embedded in gold. Upon each piece of Onyx were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, six on each shoulder. These would represent the High Priest carrying the burdens of the people on his shoulders, into the Lord. Also, across the chest, woven of the same threads, would be a breast piece onto which were sewn 12 specific rare stones, with the names of the twelve tribes also engraven on each one, in four rows of three. These would also be set in gold, and attached to the breast piece, representing holding the people close to his heart. Within the pocket of the breast piece were placed the Urim and Thumim: sacred revelatory stones used to help Aaron make decisions with the aid of the Lord, who knows all things.
The scripture gives such detail as gold rings used to attach the ephod, and blue lace used on the mantlepiece at Aaron’s forehead. The mantle piece would be made of gold with the Hebrew words Holiness to the Lord written across it.
These details, before yesterday, would have gone straight in one ear and out the other. But somehow knowing these particular details has caused me to have greater reverence for my Lord. I don’t know if there is logic in it, or if it is a witness borne of personal sacrifice. Either way, I am grateful for it. I feel a connection with my forefathers, and with my Lord. I feel a familiarity in my own temple worship, and much needed acceptance for things that feel strange, , trusting that the Lord’s knowledge far exceeds mine. I am reminded to beware not to apply my own limited logic to Godly things. It’s a dance with faith I am trying to learn the steps of every day.
My neuro-pathetic feet hurt like crazy today. Standing still for four hours at the end of a rough weekend did them in. I’m OK with it, though. I take it as a small reminder that sometimes the greatest treasures come after you give 'til it hurts.
If you live anywhere near northern Utah, you should consider going to this. April 24 and May 1, 2022 are dates that the general public is invited to attend. You’ll need tickets (they’re free) available here through Sign Up Genius:
