Washing and anointing: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:44, 16 April 2023

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{{short description|Temple ordinance practiced by LDS Church}}{{Citations needed|introduction|date=April 2023}}[[File:Washing and anointing tub in the Salt Lake Temple, June 1911.png|thumb|One of ten washing and anointing rooms of the [[Salt Lake Temple]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] circa 1911.]]

'''Washing and anointing''' (also called the '''initiatory''') is a ritual purification [[Temple (LDS Church)#Temple ordinances|temple ordinance]] practicedsimilar byto [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintschrismation]] (LDSthat Church) and [[Mormon fundamentalism|Mormon fundamentalists]] asis part of the faith's [[Endowment (Mormonism)|temple endowment]] ceremony. Itpracticed is a sacred ordinance for teenagers and young adults, similar toby [[chrismation]]. The ordinanceChurch isof performedJesus by the authorityChrist of the [[Melchizedek priesthood (Latter Day-day Saints)|Melchizedek priesthood]] by(LDS anChurch) officiatorand of[[Mormon the samefundamentalism|Mormon gender as the participantfundamentalists]].<ref name="ABVW" />

In the deeply sacred ritual, a person, isgenerally sprinkleda withteenager wateror young adult, which is symbolicallysprinkled similarwith towater, thethen washing[[Anointing|anointed]] donewith byperfume priestsor prioroil toas enteringa thecleansing templebefore duringGod.<ref thename="buerger35" time of Moses./><ref name=":1">John Christopher Thomas describes this Old Testament practice, “This cleansing from bodily uncleanness was a symbol of putting away of the filth of sin; the washing of the body therefore was a symbol of spiritual cleansing, without which no one can draw near to God..." {{citation |title=Footwashing in the Old and New Testament, the Graeco Roman World, the Early Church, and the Liturgy |url=http://www.zionlutherannj.net/footwashing-in-the-old-and-new-testament-the-graeco-roman-world-the-early-church-and-the-liturgy-2/}}</ref> |title=FootwashingOnce in the Oldwashed and New Testamentanointed, the Graecoparticipant Romanis World,dressed in the Early[[temple Churchgarment]], anda thesymbolic Liturgywhite }}undergarment.</ref name="packer" /> AfterThe theordinance washing,performed by the officiatorauthority anointsof the person[[Melchizedek withpriesthood consecrated(Latter oilDay whileSaints)|Melchizedek declaringpriesthood]], blessings.and Theby an officiator thenof the same declaresgender thatas the personparticipant,<ref name="ABVW" /> is anointed"mostly tosymbolic becomein anature, "kingbut andpromis[es] priestdefinite, immediate blessings as well as future blessings," orcontingent aupon continued righteous living.<ref name="queenpacker" /> These ordinances of washing and priestess"anointing are referred to often in the afterlife.{{Citationtemple neededas "initiatory ordinances" since they precede the [[Endowment (LDS)|dateendowment]] and [[Sealing (Mormonism)|sealing]] ordinances.<ref name=April"perry" /> 2023}}

Just like the other ordinances of the temple, washings and anointings are also conducted on behalf of deceased individuals as a type of "[[wikt:vicarious|vicarious]] ordinance".<ref name=":2" />

Once washed and anointed, the participant is dressed in the [[temple garment]], a religious white undergarment which the participant is instructed to wear throughout his or her life.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} (Since 2005, participants in the LDS Church version of the ritual already come clothed in this garment prior to the washing and anointing.){{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}

The origins of these rituals can be traced back to the biblical period, where anointings were used to sanctify individuals and objects, while washings were used for ritual purification.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="perry" /> The LDS Church introduced washings and anointings in the Kirtland Temple in Ohio in 1836, before revising the rituals in Nauvoo, Illinois in 1842.<ref name="buerger35" /> The modern LDS Church only performs these rites in temples set apart and dedicated for sacred purposes according to a January 19, 1841 revelation said by [[Joseph Smith]] to be from [[Jesus Christ]].<ref name=":3" />

OnceAfter washedthe and anointedwashing, the participantofficiator isanoints dressedthe inperson thewith [[templeconsecrated garment]],oil awhile religiousdeclaring whiteblessings. undergarmentThe whichofficiator then declares that the participantperson is instructedanointed to wearbecome throughouta "king and hispriest" or hera "queen and priestess" in the lifeafterlife.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} Once washed and anointed, the participant is dressed in the [[temple garment]] a symbolic white undergarment.<ref name="packer" />(Since 2005, participants in the LDS Church version of the ritual already come clothed in this garment prior to the washing and anointing.){{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}

==History==

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Ritual anointings were a prominent part of religious rites in the biblical world. Recipients of the anointing included temple officiants (e.g., [[Aaron]]), prophets (e.g., [[Elisha]]), and kings (e.g., [[Jehu]], [[Solomon]]).<ref name = perry>{{harvtxt|Perry|1992}}.</ref> In addition, sacral objects associated with the Israelite sanctuary were anointed. Of equal importance in the religion of the Israelites were ablutions (ceremonial washings). To ensure religious purity, [[Mosaic law]] required that designated individuals receive a ritual washing, sometimes in preparation for entering the temple.<ref name = perry/>

The washings and anointings of the biblical period have a parallel today in the LDS Church. In response to a commandment to gather the saints and to build a house "to prepare them for the ordinances and endowments, washings, and anointings",<ref>{{harvtxt|Smith|1938|p=308}}.</ref> these ordinances were introduced in the [[Kirtland Temple]] on January 21, 1836.<ref>{{harvtxt|Roberts|1904|pp=2:379–83}}; {{harvtxt|Buerger|2002}}.</ref> The rites are in many respects similar in purpose to ancient Israelite practice and to the washing of feet by Jesus among his disciples. These modern LDS rites are performed only in temples set apart and dedicated for sacred purposes, according to a January 19, 1841 revelation said by [[Joseph Smith]] to be from [[Jesus Christ]].<ref name=":3">[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/124.37-38?lang=eng D&C 124:37–38].</ref>

The ordinances are "mostly symbolic in nature, but promising definite, immediate blessings as well as future blessings," contingent upon continued righteous living.<ref name = packer>{{Harvtxt|Packer|2007}}.</ref> Many symbolic meanings of washings and anointings are traceable in the scriptures. Ritual washings (Heb. 9:10) symbolize the cleansing of the soul from sins and iniquities. They signify the washing-away of the pollutions of the Lord's people (Isa. 4:4). Psalm 51:2 expresses the human longing and divine promise: "Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin".<ref name = perry/> The anointing of a person or object with sacred ointment represents sanctification and consecration, so that both become "most holy" unto the Lord.<ref>{{bibleref|Exodus|30:29}}</ref> In this manner, profane persons and things are sanctified in similitude of the ''messiah'' ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] "anointed one"), who is ''Christ'' ([[Greek language|Greek]] "anointed one").<ref name = perry/>

The ordinances of washing and anointing are referred to often in the temple as "initiatory ordinances" since they precede the [[Endowment (LDS)|endowment]] and [[Sealing (Mormonism)|sealing]] ordinances.<ref name = perry/> In connection with the initiatory ordinances, one is also clothed in the [[Temple garment|garment]] in the temple.<ref name = packer/> Washings and anointings are also conducted on behalf of deceased individuals as a type of "[[wikt:vicarious|vicarious]] ordinance".<ref name=":2">{{harvtxt|Gaunt|1996}}.</ref>

==See also==