Holy Week: What was crucifixion like?

Crucifixion was one of the most dreaded and painful forms of execution in ancient times. Thousands of crucifixions were performed by the Romans, the most famous of course being Jesus Christ. Yet, because almost all depictions of Jesus on the cross were painted centuries later, our image of the death of Christ is in many ways incorrect. Understanding Jesus' death, though gruesome and painful in nature, can help us better understand the incredible love that the Savior has for us because of what he was willing to endure.

Crucifixion was often first preceded with the painful process of flogging or scourging, as is the case of Jesus. The scouring was done to physically weaken the condemned person, accentuating the already painful process of crucifixion. The whip, or flagrum, was made of strips of leather fastened to a handle, with broken glass, nails, bone, and lead weights fastened to the end of the strips. The flagrum was designed to rip through the flesh, tearing skin and muscle from the bone. The powerful symbol of the sacrament bread, which represents Christ flesh, being torn apart, is an apt reminder of the scourging that Jesus endured on our behalf.

Once flogged, the convicted person was made to carry his own cross through the city till they arrived at the place of execution. Unlike most depictions showing Jesus carrying an entire cross, the condemned man instead would actually only carry the cross piece. This was because of the incredible weight of a full cross, and because wood was such a scarce resource that it was common to use an already existing tree, or permanent post as the base of the cross. The fact that Jesus may have been crucified on a living tree, brings beauty to the title of Jesus as the Tree of Life.

The gospels tell us that Jesus was crucified at "a place called Golgotha" from the Hebrew word meaning skull, most likely referring to a knoll or small hill, shaped like a bare skull. Today in Jerusalem there are two main traditional locations for Golgotha, the hill top in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Skull Hill, just outside Damascus gate.

The first location was chosen by Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, in about 325 AD, because of several earlier traditions that marked this as the place. Today, the hill is located within this enormous church under slabs of stone, with only portions of the original hill visible behind sheets of glass. Interestingly, it because of this church, with its steep steps that lead up to the traditional place of crucifixion, that we so often see paintings and film depicting the crosses on top of a hill. However, Rome did not generally crucify on the tops of hills away from onlookers, but instead, right next to the main roads and gates of the city. Crosses were also much shorter then normally depicted, so as to bring their victims as low as possible placing them almost at eye level with onlookers. This was so that all who passed by would vividly see the consequences of opposing Rome.

The other traditional site, Skull Hill or Gordon's Calvary, was identified only about 175 years ago. It was chosen because of the hill's remarkable resemblance to a skull, and because of its close proximity to an ancient tomb, now known as the Garden Tomb. It was also identified because in the Law of Moses animals were to be killed on the north side of the altar of sacrifice. With this hill, being north of the Temple, and in a continuation of the same mount where the Temple stood, the place seemed to be an apt location for the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.

In 1968, several tombs were discovered in Jerusalem dating to the time of Jesus. Within one tomb they found a stone ossuary, or bone box, with a nail driven through the ankle bone of the buried man. This find is extremely significant, as it is the only known archaeological find of a crucified person. Experts were able to learn several intriguing things from this discovery. First, the nail was not driven through the front of the foot, as is often depicted in art of Jesus, but instead through the side of the ankle, directly through the bone. This means that a separate nail was driven through each foot, with the feet straddling the cross, instead of in front. Archeologists were also surprised to find wood fragments on both sides of the ankle bone. This has led to the conclusion that the nail was first placed through a wood washer before being driven through the foot and cross. The washer would have prevented the victim, or family members from attempting to tear the body from the cross to avoid the excruciating pain of crucifixion.

Hanging on the cross, the victim would be forced to stand upon these nails driven through his ankles, alternating with holding his weight up through his outstretched nailed hands. This process was made all the more painful as the torn flesh on the back from scourging, would be pressed to the cross as they alternated between hanging from their hands, and standing on their feet. Victims were known to live for several days on the cross before dying, making Jesus' death after only a few hours, very unusual. It is believed that victims died from asphyxiation, or in other words the lack of air, caused from the sheer exhaustion of hanging on the cross.

The willingness for Jesus to die on the cross for us, in such a painful and agonizing way, teaches us of His incredible love. Jesus could have been killed by stoning, or by one of many other ways, but He instead chose to be crucified. He submitted to the most heinous and dreaded forms of death, so that He could understand and succor His people. None of us can claim that Jesus cannot fathom our sorrows, anguish and pains, for He has endured all things. Truly, as Isaiah so prophetically stated: "he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Tabernacle of Moses Youth Camp and Open House

During the first two weeks of August 2016, a historic Tabernacle Youth camp and public open house were held by members of the Huntington Beach and Murrieta Stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The two stakes collaborated on the project, building one of the most accurate and beautiful replicas of the ancient Tabernacle of Moses. The replica was used to teach youth and adults about this significant, first portable temple.

The first week of events was devoted to helping the youth of the two stakes learn about the importance of the ancient Tabernacle. Youth from the Huntington Beach Stake, as part of their Youth Conference, first were divided into twelve tribes, and then marched into camp, with their tribe leaders and banners leading the way. For the next several days, they then camped as tribes around the Tabernacle, and took a variety of classes to help them learn about the Tabernacle of Moses, ancient sacrifices, and in particular, how these Old Testament ordinances and practices pointed to the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. The classes included teachings about the symbolism of water, the tree of life, olive oil, incense, sacred clothing, and bread in ancient times. Perhaps the two most meaningful classes were on the process of making olive oil. During the class the youth first crushed olives by hand, and then placed the crushed olive mash beneath a replica ancient press, harvesting the olive oil as it oozed out into a container. Youth then learned that the word Gethsemane in Hebrew means olive press, and of how the symbolism of the olive press typify the suffering of the Savior in Gethsemane.

Altar of Sacrifice

For lunch on the first day of the camp, the youth gathered together and broke bread and ate a meal the way it might have been like in ancient times. They took turns washing hands, ate with their hands while seated on the ground, and learned of the importance of communal meals in ancient times. During the camp, the youth also enjoyed swimming, diving, boating, and sliding down the slides at the huge pool. They also participated in various activities and relay races to help create teamwork and establish unity and friendships among the youth. At night the Tabernacle was lit up, with a huge pillar of light, representing the pillar of fire by night as found in scripture. Interestingly, on several mornings the Tabernacle was also covered with a beautiful layer of fog, reminiscent of the cloud by day.

The Holy Place of the Tabernacle of Moses

On the second and last day of the camp, the youth from both stakes toured the Tabernacle. They started in the outer court, learning about the beautifully colored outer gate, the bronze altar of sacrifice with its four horns, the laver for ritual washing, and about the various outer layers of the tabernacle structure. They also learned about the garments of the high priest, and how the clothing pointed to and symbolized Jesus Christ, the Great high priest. They then entered the Holy Place and learned about the golden seven branched menorah, the table of showbread with its 12 loaves of bread, and the altar of incense that was placed before the veil of the temple, repressing the prayers of the saints ascending to heaven. As the last part of their tour, they entered the Holy of Holies and looked into the ark of the covenant. They learned of how the high priest entered this room only once a year on the day of atonement, and how this symbolized Christ entering the presence of God and interceding on our behalf.

The ark of the covenant in the Tabernacle replica

On the Sunday after the last day of the youth camps, the Murrieta stake held there Stake Priesthood training meeting in the outer court of the Tabernacle. From Monday through Thursday of the second week, a public open house was held with over 3,000 attendees touring the Tabernacle. Guests were taken on a 45 minute tour where they learned of how the Tabernacle pointed to Christ, and of how learning about these ancient practices, can better help us understand the atonement of Jesus Christ. Over the two week period, over 3,500 people were able to experience the Tabernacle and witness with their own eyes this unique and sacred structure!

The pillar of fire at night

Sacred Replicas Exhibit

For several years I have wanted to put my Biblical replicas on display at either BYU in Provo, or at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City. Well, I am excited to say that one of those dreams have finally come true! For about a month (I don't know how long they will let me keep the items on display), you can see my replicas at the BYU Joseph Smith Building (JSB). The exhibit is located on the first floor of the main lobby area. If you happen to be in Provo, check it out!

Modern and ancient Jewish items: incense, mezuzahs, and tefillin (phylacteries)

Ancient writing methods: cuneiform, papyrus, wax tablets, and hypocephalus

Holy Week replicas: linen strips, an oil lamp, crown of thorns, and crucified heel bone and nail

Lego twisting machine that I used to spin the thread to make the clothing of the High Priest

Cross section of Solomon's Temple

The full display case at the BYU Joseph Smith Building in Provo, Utah

Tabernacle of Moses Camp

Here are some of the pictures I took at the young men's Tabernacle Camp. It was an experience I will never forget, and I hope there will be many more like it in the future. The chance of a lifetime!

The outer courtyard with the altar of sacrifice, the bronze laver, and the sanctuary

The outer gate with the altar of sacrifice

A closeup of the horn of the altar of sacrifice

The Tabernacle bronze laver

The bronze laver with the Tabernacle sanctuary in the background

The Holy Place with menorah, altar of incense, table of shewbread, and the High Priest

The table of shewbread in the Holy Place

The bread and wine pitcher on the table of shewbread

The menorah and altar of incense

The menorah oil lamps lit within the Holy Place

Incense burning on the altar of incense before the veil of the Tabernacle

Altar of incense and the clothing of the High Priest

The ark of the covenant with the veil of the Tabernacle in the background

The two cherubim on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant with the ten commandments in the background

Inside the ark of the covenant showing the blossomed rod of Aaron, the ten commandments, and the pot of manna

A pillar of fire by night lights the sky above the Tabernacle of Moses

Tabernacle Camp

This past weekend I was privileged to participate in a historic, first of its kind, Tabernacle camp. During the four days the young men built the Tabernacle, camped around it, then learned about the various parts, services, and symbolism of the Tabernacle. A special emphasis was placed on the Aaronic priesthood, and on how the Law of Moses pointed to the Savior Jesus Christ. Needless to say, it was kind of a dream come true for me! Below is a short day-by-day review of the activity.

Day 1 - Wednesday

The first day began with the young men being divided into twelve groups, reminiscent of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each tribe was given a letter of the Hebrew alphabet to differentiate the tribes. The young men were then rotated through twelve different activities throughout the day. Six of the classes focused on the symbolism of the lamb, incense, oil, water, the rod of Aaron, and the Hebrew meanings of several words. During these classes, the young men from the tribe took something with them from the class (such as purified water, oil, incense, etc.) that they would then take into the Tabernacle on the third day of the camp. Two of the twelve activities were devoted to having the young men help build the Tabernacle of Moses. These 'shifts' were spread throughout the day so that each tribe was able to participate in building a different portion of the Tabernacle. In addition to the spiritual classes and the building of the Tabernacle there were four relay-type activities.

Young men lifting the support beams in to place for the Tabernacle (photo by Cordell Moon)

Young men hammering in the stakes for the Tabernacle main structure (photo by Cordell Moon)

Lifting the main canopy covering for the sanctuary of the Tabernacle (photo by Cordell Moon)

The Tabernacle nearing completion (photo by Cordell Moon)

I taught the class on incense and helped the young men understand why incense was used in ancient times, and how it relates to modern-day worship. During the class I burned the specific combination of incense that is described in the book of Deuteronomy.

A young man smelling the incense that would have been burned at the Tabernacle (photo by Cordell Moon)

At the close of the first day, the young men all gathered in the almost completed Tabernacle to bring in the furniture into the Tabernacle. The shofar was sounded and several young men carried the menorah, table of shewbread, altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant inside the sanctuary. It was quite the experience! A symbolic 'last stake' was then pounded into the ground by several of the leaders.

The young men gather as they prepare to bring in the Tabernacle furniture

View of the Tabernacle and campsite from a drone as the young men gathered inside the outer courtyard

Day 2 - Thursday

The second day began with an early morning devotional given by the stake leaders. The young men then again participated in twelve activities throughout the day, three devoted to the more spiritual side of things, and the rest part of an intense eco-challenge designed to help form greater unity within the individual tribes. The three spiritual classes consisted of the bread of life, the Tabernacle pieces, and the clothing of the High Priest. I of course, taught the class on the High Priest. As part of the class, I dressed up one of the young men while explaining each of the eight pieces of clothing worn by the High Priest.

Me explaining the significance of the clothing of the High Priest (photo by Cordell Moon)

The bread of life class, each tribe making a loaf of bread for the table of shewbread (photo by Cordell Moon)

Young men carrying a boulder as part of the eco-challenge (photo by Cordell Moon)

Young men carrying one of the members of their tribe as part of the eco-challenge  (photo by Cordell Moon)

The second day ended with a fireside given by an emeritus area authorities, and one of the stake leaders. The winning tribe of the eco-challenge was also then recognized and given an award of a lobster dinner for the following day.

Day 3 - Friday

The third day began with two groups of rafting for the young men, followed by a full tour of the finished Tabernacle of Moses. During this tour, the young men from the tribe took the various pieces they had collected from the previous two days (such as water, incense, oil, etc.), and brought them to the Tabernacle. They first came to the gate, singing a hymn as they entered the outer court (as was done in Biblical times when an Israelite would enter the Temple). They then took their lambs to the altar of sacrifice where they learned of the symbolism of the Law of Sacrifice and how it related to the Messiah (no lambs were actually killed as part of the camp). They next poured their water (that they had purified from a stream) into the laver, and learned about the importance of being clean before entering the Temple of God. The young men then entered the Holy Place and learned of the menorah (adding oil and lighting the lamps), the table of shewbread (adding their shewbread that they had made), the altar of incense (burning their incense on the altar), and the veil of the Tabernacle. They then entered the Holy of Hollies (adding their 'rod of Aaron' to the ark) and learning of the importance of symbolically entering the presence of God.

Young men with their lambs in the outer courtyard of the Tabernacle

Young men leading their lambs around the altar of sacrifice (no lambs were killed)

View showing the altar of sacrifice, the laver, and the Tabernacle sanctuary

A leader teaching the young men about the menorah found in the Holy Place

The young men being taught about the table of shewbread (or showbread)

A leader teaching about the altar of incense within the Holy Place

A view showing the ark of the covenant within the Holy of Hollies

The night closed with a powerful fireside within the outer courtyard of the Tabernacle. The Stake Relief Society president gave perhaps the most powerful talk, saying that she hoped the young men, having built the Tabernacle, would now bring it home with them, just as ancient Israel carried the Tabernacle with them as they traveled in the wilderness for 40 years. At the conclusion of the fireside, the tribe captains stood and pointed towards the back of the sanctuary, where a huge spotlight shown up towards heaven, symbolically representing the pillar of fire. Needless to say, it was quite the experience! As the young men left the Tabernacle, they broke up into wards, and had individual testimony meetings.

One of the tribe captains speaking during the fireside within the outer courtyard

The stake president speaking to the young men during the Tabernacle fireside

People gathered around the lit Tabernacle and pillar of fire after the conclusion of the fireside

The "pillar of fire by night" lighting the sky during the fireside and testimony meetings

Day 4 - Saturday

On the last day of the Tabernacle camp, they young men took down their tents, took down the Tabernacle, and headed back to their homes. Just prior to taking down the Tabernacle, several groups from the stake came and toured the Tabernacle. The young men, instead of their leaders, took many of the parents through, teaching them the things they had learned during the camp. I also had the opportunity to teach two more classes on the clothing of the High Priest to the parents and families who came up for this last day.

The Tabernacle camp was an experience I will never forget. I hope it will only be the first of many, held throughout the nation and world, teaching young men (and I think young women as well) about the importance of the priesthood, sacrifice, the atonement, and the Savior Jesus Christ.