Tents and houses

There are many similarities between Israel's exodus in the Book of Exodus and Lehi's exodus in 1st Nephi. These may be amplified by Nephi's writings, who probably sees these parallels and uses them to teach his readers deeper lessons.

One of the Jewish feasts is called Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) and is a harvest festival akin to Thanksgiving. But it is also a commemoration of the exodus, and how God provided for his people during the years in the wilderness. As part of the celebration, they build temporary structures or use their tents, where they eat their festive meals and even sleep when the weather is nice. Nephi's focus on his father's tent is but one of many indications that they left Jerusalem at the time of Sukkot.

I believe that the tent, booth or tabernacle as a temporary dwelling has symbolic significance. The people of Israel were in the wilderness temporarily because they really were on a journey to the promised land. The exact same thing can be said for Lehi and his family. Lehi embarked on a journey to a new land that would be the promised land for him and his posterity. During the journey, he "dwelt in a tent". The Israelites had a tabernacle in the wilderness as a portable temple. But in the promised land, Solomon built a temple as a permanent structure, as did Nephi in his promised land.

Conversely, the house or mansion signifies the permanent residence, the end destination. These are not found in the wilderness, but in cities like the New Jerusalem. In heaven, there are no tents but rather mansions.

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

And I also remember that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the mansions of thy Father, in which man might have a more excellent hope; wherefore man must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared. (Ether 12:32)

It follows naturally from this, that our mortal body is the tent/tabernacle while the immortal, resurrected body is the house for our spirits. This mortal journey is a wilderness and our destination is the promised land. 

For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay (Mosiah 3:5)

In other words, the eternal being would have a temporal residence on earth in a physical, mortal body, like the rest of us. This same idea is also conveyed in the Gospel of John, although more subtly for those of us who don't read it in Greek.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:14)

The word "dwelt" here comes from the Greek word, "skenoo", which is based on the word for tent, and indicates only a temporary residence, as in "encamp".

The righteous believers past and present, know that mortal life on earth is only temporary and long for the permanent residence in the eternal promised land.

11 Wherefore, hearken ye together and let me show unto you even my wisdom—the wisdom of him whom ye say is the God of Enoch, and his brethren,

12 Who were separated from the earth, and were received unto myself—a city reserved until a day of righteousness shall come—a day which was sought for by all holy men, and they found it not because of wickedness and abominations;

13 And confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (D&C 45)

For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. (Hebrews 13:14)

Jewish cemeteries are frequently called "beth olam", which means "eternal house". This is the permanent dwelling on the other side, when the journey of life is over. This is also considered a place of rest. When the journey/pilgrimage is over, you can dwell and rest at your destination. Lord Wilmore is currently writing a fascinating series on rest and I might have some more to say about that in future posts as well. For now, I will let Enos have the final word

And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen. (Enos 1:27)