Excerpt from The Los Angeles Times

The realism of the exhibit stirs the faith and emotions of many who visit it. Kathy Dove of Costa Mesa exited the tent Tuesday with tears streaming down her face. "It's one thing to read about the tabernacle for so many years. But this was such a moving experience," she said.

She said she and her husband, Al Dove, have been participating in Bible study classes with Chuck Smith Sr. at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and just finished examining the book of Exodus, which is where the tabernacle is described in detail.

She said the replica conveys to her how believers had to atone for their sins before Jesus Christ became a human sacrifice, the "lamb of God," to take away people's sins.

"When you go through the tabernacle, you're so thankful and grateful for what Jesus has done for us," Dove said. "He's taken away all our sins."