Week 18 (Apr 27–May 3): “Holiness to the Lord”

Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19

Doctrinal Foundation (layers of meaning)

From Israel’s view (fresh from captivity): Leaving Egypt did not complete the Lord’s work in them. The bundle frames the wilderness tabernacle and Israel’s laws as a schooling in holiness after “they had lived in captivity for generations” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “April 27–May 3. ‘Holiness to the Lord’”).

From the Lord’s view (covenant purpose): The stated end of deliverance is holiness, not only land or safety:

“Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2).

From the Savior’s view (the true path to holiness): The bundle ties tabernacle, covenants, and sacrifice to Jesus Christ, then anchors the promise in modern revelation:

“I am able to make you holy” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7). This line places holiness where the Lord places it: in His power to change a repentant people, taught through holy space, holy law, and sacrificial worship (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “April 27–May 3. ‘Holiness to the Lord’”).

Scripture Deep Dive (ascending steps of discovery)

1) Willing-hearted consecration builds holy space (Exodus 35:4–35; 36:1–7)

The bundle directs attention to Israel’s response to the command to build the tabernacle, highlighting offerings made with “a willing heart” (Exodus 35:5; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “The Lord asks me to make my offerings with a willing heart”). The question becomes personal without changing the pattern: “What has the Lord given you, and what is He asking you to offer?” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026).

2) The ark focuses covenant life on the Lord’s presence (Exodus 37:1–9; 40:20–21)

The bundle points to the ark as a central object for holiness formation and directs readers to supporting helps (Exodus 37:1–9; 40:20–21; see also Exodus 25:20–22; Guide to the Scriptures, “Ark of the Covenant,” as cited in the bundle). The study move is to ask what covenant “testimony” Israel carried into worship, and how that centers life on the Lord.

3) Incense and intercession rise to God (Exodus 40:26–27; Exodus 30:1, 6–8; Revelation 8:3–4)

The altar of incense in the tabernacle provides a worship grammar that reaches into the New Testament (Exodus 40:26–27; see also Exodus 30:1, 6–8; Revelation 8:3–4, as cited in the bundle). The bundle’s cross-reference to Revelation suggests continuity in how heaven receives petitions.

4) Light in holy space becomes discipleship light in the world (Exodus 37:17–24; Matthew 5:14–16; John 8:12)

The lampstand (candlestick) connects tabernacle worship to Christ’s teachings and identity (Exodus 37:17–24; Matthew 5:14–16; John 8:12, as cited in the bundle). Israel learns to keep light burning before the Lord; disciples learn to shine because Christ is the Light (John 8:12).

5) Sacrifice teaches atonement and repentance (Exodus 38:1–7; Leviticus 1:1–9; Leviticus 4; Leviticus 16)

The bundle states the purpose plainly: “He commanded them to make animal sacrifices to teach them about atonement for their sins” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026). It then invites close reading of Leviticus with targeted questions about what “remind[s] me of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I can be forgiven”).

6) Washing signals cleansing and renewal (Exodus 30:17–21; Psalm 51:2; Ezekiel 36:25–27)

The laver (basin) of water is linked in the bundle to scriptural language of cleansing (Exodus 30:17–21; Psalm 51:2; Ezekiel 36:25–27, as cited in the bundle). The point is not mere ritual cleanliness; the cited passages frame washing as a plea for inward purification and a promised renewal of heart.

7) Clothing and covenant belonging (Isaiah 61:10; Matthew 22:11–14; Revelation 19:7–8)

The bundle’s cross-references connect holy clothing to rejoicing in the Lord’s saving work and to readiness for the wedding feast (Isaiah 61:10; Matthew 22:11–14; Revelation 19:7–8, as cited in the bundle). This step links tabernacle patterns to covenant identity and preparation to be in the Lord’s presence.

8) Holiness becomes lived ethics (Leviticus 19)

The bundle warns against treating holy places as sufficient by themselves: “Of course, simply being in holy places doesn’t make us holy” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026). Leviticus 19 then supplies commandments that press holiness into daily life, so worship and conduct become one pattern.

Historical Context (from the bundle’s framing)

The bundle situates Israel in a transitional year: “In the year after leaving Egypt, the relationship of the children of Israel with Jehovah could be described as inconsistent” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026). The tabernacle functions as a portable center of covenant worship in the wilderness, a “place of holiness” where “sacred ordinances would help them become a holy people” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026). Leviticus then supplies covenant laws to “guide their actions and change their hearts” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026).

For further background the bundle points readers to “Leviticus” in the Bible Dictionary (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026).

Pattern Recognition Web (connections named in the bundle)

• Deliverance leads to holiness: Exodus deliverance serves Leviticus purpose (Leviticus 19:2; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026).
• Holy space plus holy living: Tabernacle ordinances shape a people, then Leviticus 19 presses holiness into everyday obedience (Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 19; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026).
• Ancient ordinances, modern continuity: “Exodus 40:12–14 refers to ancient ordinances that are also administered in our day in the house of the Lord” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026). This is sacred and personal, please speak with your bishop or refer to the temple recommend questions.
• Sacrifice fulfilled and transformed: The bundle contrasts ancient animal sacrifice with what the Lord asks now through Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants passages (3 Nephi 9:19–20; Doctrine and Covenants 64:34; Moses 5:7, as cited in the bundle).

Discussion Framework (progressing from observation to application)

1. In Exodus 35–36, what phrases describe the people’s hearts as they give and work? (Exodus 35:4–35; 36:1–7)
2. What does the bundle say was God’s ultimate goal beyond leaving Egypt and entering a promised land? (Leviticus 19:2; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026)
3. Which tabernacle object most naturally turns thoughts to the Savior using the bundle’s cross-references? (Exodus 37–40; cited cross-references in the bundle)
4. How do Matthew 5:14–16 and John 8:12 expand the meaning of the lampstand? (Matthew 5:14–16; John 8:12)
5. While reading Leviticus 1; 4; 16, what words or actions echo repentance and forgiveness? (Leviticus 1:1–9; 4; 16; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 prompts)
6. What does “Of course, simply being in holy places doesn’t make us holy” require of covenant worshippers? (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026)
7. Which commandments in Leviticus 19 most directly “change [the] hearts” of a people? (Leviticus 19; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026)
8. How do Psalm 51:2 and Ezekiel 36:25–27 shape the meaning of “washing” beyond outward cleansing? (Psalm 51:2; Ezekiel 36:25–27)
9. What does the bundle ask readers to consider about modern sacrifices, using 3 Nephi 9:19–20 and Doctrine and Covenants 64:34? (bundle citations)

Gospel Connections (Plan of Salvation links provided in the bundle)

• Captivity to holiness: The bundle compares Israel’s captivity to a universal condition: “We have all spent some time in the captivity of sin, and we are all invited to leave sin behind and follow Jesus Christ” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026).
• Christ’s enabling promise:

“I am able to make you holy” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7).

• Sacrifice as schooling for the Atonement: The bundle states that tabernacle worship and Levitical sacrifice were “meant to point their minds, hearts, and lives toward the Savior” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026). It then directs study to 3 Nephi 9:19–20 and Doctrine and Covenants 64:34 for the sacrifices the Lord requires now (as cited in the bundle).

Teaching Moments (ways to share this week’s discoveries)

1. Object lesson from the tabernacle: Invite learners to choose one object named in Exodus 37–40 and read the bundle’s paired cross-reference aloud (for example, lampstand with Matthew 5:14–16 or John 8:12). Ask what discipleship behavior matches that symbol.
2. Music as doctrine reinforcement: Use the bundle’s suggestion to sing “More Holiness Give Me” (Hymns, no. 131) and connect its message to Leviticus 19 (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “Use sacred music”).
3. From ritual to heart: Read the bundle’s line, “Of course, simply being in holy places doesn’t make us holy,” then have learners identify one Leviticus 19 commandment to practice in the coming week (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026).
4. Family-friendly sacrifice discussion: Pair Leviticus 1:1–4 with the bundle’s invitation to read 3 Nephi 9:19–20 about what the Lord asks in place of animal sacrifice (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026).

Personal Reflection (pattern-finding in one’s own covenant journey)

• Where has the Lord provided a “place of holiness” that helps worship shape daily choices? (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026)
• What has the Lord given that can be offered back “with a willing heart”? (Exodus 35:5; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026)
• Which part of Leviticus 19 most directly addresses a current need to become holy in ordinary life? (Leviticus 19; Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026)
• How do the bundle’s washing references shape prayers for cleansing and renewal? (Psalm 51:2; Ezekiel 36:25–27)

Prophetic Echoes (modern revelation and suggested resources in the bundle)

• Modern revelation grounds the week’s theme of holiness in the Lord’s own promise:

“I am able to make you holy” (Doctrine and Covenants 60:7).

• For further study the bundle recommends: Henry B. Eyring, “Holiness and the Plan of Happiness,” Liahona, Nov. 2019, 100–103 (see also, as cited in the bundle).
• The bundle also points to “The Tabernacle” (video), Gospel Library, and related temple-focused resources (see also, as cited in the bundle). This is sacred and personal, please speak with your bishop or refer to the temple recommend questions.

These ancient tabernacle and Leviticus patterns invite covenant worshippers to seek the Lord’s promised power to become holy in heart and conduct (Leviticus 19:2; Doctrine and Covenants 60:7).