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THE GATE
"Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Matthew 7:14
"The keeper of the gate
is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there
is none other way
save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived,
for the Lord God is his name."2 Nephi 9:41
Exodus 27:16-17, Exodus 38:18
The gate of the court is described by the Lord as a screen or curtain twenty cubits in width comprised of the colors blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. (Ex 27:16) Linen is described by scholars as the fabric of the hanging itself and white in color. The patterns of these four colors were to be fashioned with needlework in an artistically pleasing fashion. Without historical evidence or revelation from the Lord, there is no data upon which to recreate the pattern that existed upon the gate. Artistic liberty has been taken in creating the pattern that is depicted in the images of this site. The pattern is based however, upon the layout theory presented here. 
The gate was located on the eastern side of the
complex and was the
only entrance into the House of the Lord. It was also the last part of
the tabernacle to be assembled as described in Exodus 40. Upon passing through the gate, you would enter the courtyard of the tabernacle, one of three separate areas. The three areas within the tabernacle are described in the scriptures as the most holy place, the holy place (Ex 26:33), and the courtyard (Ex 27:17). The entrance to the courtyard is referred to as the gate (Ex 27:17). The entrance into the tent, or holy place is referred to as the door of the tent (Ex 26:36). And the entrance into the most holy place is referred to as the veil (Ex 26:33).
 Jesus Christ alluded to the
tabernacle extensively in his teachings, and the gate of the tabernacle
is no exception. The tabernacle or temple, was revealed to teach the children of God how they can prepare to return to the presence of the Father. Jesus Christ said "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6). Central to the Father's plan in helping His children return to Him, is His Only Begotten Son. A prophet named Jacob testified of the central role of Christ alluding to the temple: "My beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name."1
Jesus Christ is the way. He stands at the gate. If you desire salvation or the hope of something better in this world and the next, there is no other thing, object, government, nor person that has the capacity to help you achieve this. The gate is thus analogous to faith. The first principle of the gospel is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.2 Faith is necessary to pass through the gate in your journey back to the Father. The following excerpt on faith comes from the Bible Dictionary:
"Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true (Heb. 11: 1; Alma 32: 21),
and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To
have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has
revealed himself and his perfect character, possessing in their fulness
all the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy,
unchangeableness, power, and every other needful thing, so as to enable
the mind of man to place confidence in him without reservation. Faith
is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith (Rom. 10: 14-17).
Miracles do not produce faith but strong faith is developed by
obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by
righteousness, although miracles often confirm one’s faith.
"Faith is a principle of action and of power, and
by it one can command the elements and/or heal the sick, or influence
any number of circumstances when occasion warrants (Jacob 4: 4-7). Even more important, by faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God.
"All true faith must be based upon correct knowledge or it cannot
produce the desired results. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first
principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith
always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action;
it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of the things hoped for. A
lack of faith leads one to despair, which comes because of iniquity.
"Although faith is a gift, it must be cultured
and sought after until it grows from a tiny seed to a great tree. The
effects of true faith in Jesus Christ include an actual knowledge that the course of life one is pursuing is acceptable to the Lord (see Heb. 11: 4); a reception of the blessings of the Lord that are available to man in this life; and
an assurance of personal salvation in the world to come. These things
involve individual and personal testimony, guidance, revelation, and
spiritual knowledge. Where there is true faith there are miracles,
visions, dreams, healings, and all the gifts of God that he gives to
his saints. Jesus pointed out some obstacles to faith in John 5: 44 and John 12: 39-42 (cf. James 1: 6-8).
To gain entrance into the house of the Father, you must pass by the gate keeper who is Jesus Christ. This is not all however. Having faith in Christ implies a willingness to listen, adhere, and following His teachings and His example without fully understanding the reasons why. The gate of the tabernacle was five cubits (approximately 7' 6" ) tall and thus prevented people who desired to enter from seeing what was inside. Following Christ without fully understanding the reason for all His teachings is a demonstration of your faith. The Holy One of Israel pleads for all to enter into the way:
"He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." 3
Jesus Christ has warned there are many different paths a person can take in life. There is only one path that leads to the Father.
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." 4
The image below is an illustration of this scripture.
 If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, yet do not choose to follow His teachings, you are not on the path. You are not on the straight and narrow path that leads to life, or to the tree of life, or to the presence of the Father. Jesus Christ is the keeper of the gate and cannot be deceived. When the rich young ruler 5 came to Jesus and asked what he must do to obtain eternal life, Jesus responded: "if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
The young man replied that he had kept all the commandments from his youth and wondered what he still needed. Jesus continued: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
Jesus Christ came to this earth to atone for this sins of mankind and to show us how to return to the Father. Jesus said: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." (John 14:12) How can we follow Christ unless we are willing to do the things he taught. How can we consider ourselves disciples of Christ if we are not trying to keep all of his commandments? The following poem further illustrates the concept of following Jesus Christ to gain salvation. "Believe and be saved!" The minister said.
"Believe and be saved and rise from the dead!"
Then off he went back to his posh home,
In his brand new Mercedes all covered with chrome.
He went to his study, his thoughts running deep.
He took a quick nap and died in his sleep.
To the gates of Saint Peter he arrived with a grin,
Saying, "I believed in Jesus, now let me come in"
"Oh, no not another", Saint Pete said with a sigh,
"The devil is working hard and his toll is running high
To believe in the Savior means to do as he says,
because faith without works is nothing but dead."
"Satan knows Jesus, believes in him too.
So tell me what is the difference between Satan and you?"
If it is your desire to return back to the presence of the Father, you must know that this can only be accomplished through Jesus the Christ. The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel. He employees no servant there. This means that Christ will never set up another man, object, teaching, theory, or prophet, to provide the means of salvation. Only through the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb of God can mankind be made at one with the Father. Jesus Christ is the gate of the temple, and it is only through faith in him and his teachings that we can be made holy, and worthy to dwell with the Father. What Jesus Christ instructs, men and women must do, if they desire to return to the Father. Jesus Christ instructed us on how to truly repent. He commands us to be baptized the way he has commanded. He stands at the gate and declares that his Gospel is where men and women can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. He stands at the gate proclaiming to the world that He has established His Kingdom upon the earth and has called apostles and prophets whose mission it is to testify and teach of Him. He stands at the gate inviting all the world to return to the Father, for there is no other way, than through Jesus Christ.
"Every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money;
come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." 6
1 2 Nephi 9:412 The Articles of Faith 1:43 2 Nephi 26:334 Matthew 7:145 Matthew 19:16-266 Isaiah 55:1
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