Replica of the temple that held the Ark of the Covenant comes to Watkinsville

Wayne Ford, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
Marv Evans, left, and Dexter Joyner listen as a student volunteer explains the bronze laver, a wash bowl situated outside the temple in the Tabernacle.
Marv Evans, left, and Dexter Joyner listen as a student volunteer explains the bronze laver, a wash bowl situated outside the temple in the Tabernacle.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

The Bible’s Old Testament records the 40 years of wandering that the Israelites made after the prophet Moses led them out of Egypt thousands of years ago.

And in the midst of this wandering was a sacred structure called the Tabernacle. The Old Testament book of Exodus gives detailed plans for the construction of the Tabernacle that held the Ark of the Covenant.

And while the Ark is lost in the vast passage of time, an opportunity to see its replica and a replica of the Tabernacle is taking place this week at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 1080 Julian Drive, Watkinsville. A viewing continues through Sunday.

Colorful butterflies: Does the shading make a difference? UGA researches use web photos in butterfly research

Story of a chief: From foster care to Athens police chief, Jerry Saulters' remarkable journey to top law dog

The Tabernacle replica is situated on the grounds of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oconee County.
The Tabernacle replica is situated on the grounds of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oconee County.

The Tabernacle was built by a church in California and is on loan for a rare trip to the East Coast.

“It’s one thing to read the scriptures, but it’s another to see it. Even though it’s a replica,  the first time I went through, I could imagine the sounds, smells and sights as if I was there. It was a unique feeling and a special spirit,” said Dexter Joyner, who serves as president of the Athens Georgia Stake of the church.

The church in Utah has shared the Tabernacle display in several places in the western U.S. The replica has already received numerous visitors.

“Yesterday (Nov. 13) we opened and had people from North Carolina, South Carolina, from Macon and several from Atlanta,” Joyner said.

“This year we’ve been studying the Old Testament and we thought what a neat idea to bring it here to share with people in this area,” Joyner said.

A series of displays inside the church provides explanations and insights into the Tabernacle that Moses took on his 40-year search for the Promised Land.
A series of displays inside the church provides explanations and insights into the Tabernacle that Moses took on his 40-year search for the Promised Land.

Prior to the event in October, the church hosted an interfaith discussion in which leaders from various faiths including Jewish, Islamic and Christian, discussed Moses and the Tabernacle.

“For us, part of what we’re trying to do is connect symbols of the Tabernacle to Christ and that he is the savior of the world,” Joyner said.

During tours, volunteers from the church are stationed at several points at the Tabernacle to explain what the visitor will see at each phase of the Tabernacle leading up to the Holy of Holies that contains the Ark.

The Tabernacle, according to one of the volunteers, could be taken apart, then reassembled at each stopping point as Moses and the Israelites made their trek in the wilderness until they finally reached the Promised Land.

Viewings are available from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday; and 1-8 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Watkinsville: The Moses Tabernacle replica is on display at church