Exodus 35:2 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day
Moses has just spent 40 days and nights with Jehovah. He has learned how the tabernacle should be built and what should happen inside its curtains. So, he is asking for help to build their temple; the sanctuary will need to be filled with the finest things. But before asking for help, he must remind them not to work on the Sabbath. They are to resist the temptation even to make a fire on the Sabbath Day, let alone work on the Temple.
Orson Pratt
One day out of seven is set apart as a day of rest; and under the law of God, in ancient times, it was considered criminal to gather a bundle of sticks on that day, for the purpose of making a fire; and the person who was found doing so was condemned to death. (Ex. 35:3 Num. 15:32-36) (Journal of Discourses, 20:326)
Exodus 35:5 whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring . . . an offering
Moses knows the Israelites spoiled the Egyptians on their way out of Egypt. What good is that wealth going to do them in the desert? Human nature, however, is still materialistic and the Israelites were no different. How would they respond to Moses’ request for an offering? How willing were they?
Isaiah would later teach, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat of the good of the land” (Isa 1:19).
Antoine R. Ivins
Recently I was struck with the very frequent references in [the Old Testament], in the reconstruction after the exodus from Egypt they had to ask for contributions from the people for their work. And the thing that appealed to me was that almost invariably they asked that the people should voluntarily contribute with a willing heart. (Ex. 35:5 Ex. 35:21,29) I think that is a very important attitude for us to take at the present time—the voluntary contribution with a willing heart—and when I say contribution I don't mean contributions in money particularly, but contributions of substance and service. . .
If we serve with the idea that good service will bring promotion, we may be disappointed. If we serve with a willing heart because we love people and love to help them, the Lord will make us happy. In one of the scriptures which I read, it said, "And they rejoiced because they contributed with a willing heart." I think that is the secret of our happiness very much, brothers and sisters, the attitude which we have in the service which we render. We are here for experience, for growth and development, and the growth and development of the spirit is perhaps the most important element of our lives. So, why can't we develop the habit of helping each other willingly and effectively and efficiently. If we could do that, we would be happy always, I believe. (Conference Report, April 1963, p. 13)
Exodus 35:6-11 The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering
Exodus 35:12 the ark
Exodus 35:13 the table of shewbread
Exodus 35:14 the candlestick
Exodus 35:16 the altar of burnt offering
Exodus 35:19 the holy garments for Aaron the priest
Exodus 35:22 men and women… brought brcelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold
Exodus 35:26 the women . . . in wisdom spun goat’s hair
Exodus 35:30-35 he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.
All things which are good come of God (Moro. 7:12). Wonderful art, architecture, literature, sculpture, painting, music, science, beauty, skill, wisdom, all of them are gifts of God. The spark of divinity in man can be seen in the greatest accomplishments of human history. To have skill and wisdom in them all is to become like God.
Joseph Smith
“if you wish to go where God is, you must be like God, or possess the principles which God possesses, for if we are not drawing towards God in principle, we are going from Him and drawing towards the devil. . . Search your hearts, and see if you are like God. I have searched mine, and feel to repent of all my sins.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 216)