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'''Washing and anointing''' (also called the '''initiatory''') is a ritual purification [[Temple (LDS Church)#Temple ordinances|ordinance]] similar to [[chrismation]] that is part of the [[Endowment (Mormonism)|temple endowment]] ceremony practiced by [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) and [[Mormon fundamentalism|Mormon fundamentalists]].
In the deeply sacred ritual, a person, generally a teenager or young adult, is sprinkled with water, then [[Anointing|anointed]] with perfume or oil as a cleansing before God.<ref name="buerger35" /><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> Once washed and anointed, the participant is dressed in the [[temple garment]], a symbolic white undergarment.<ref name="packer"
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"
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" />
==History==
=== Old Testament Period ===
[[File:Abraham_Bloemaert,_Ritual_Washing_of_the_Israelites,_1606,_NGA_56692.jpg|thumb|Abraham Bloemaert, Ritual Washing of the Israelites, 1606, NGA 56692]]
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
=== New Testament Period ===
The rites are in many respects similar in purpose to ancient Israelite practice and to the washing of feet by Jesus among his disciples.
=== Kirtland Period ===
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After the Latter Day Saints left Nauvoo, women continued to administer washings and anointings in their homes as well as in temples. The in home rituals were part of a practice of administering to the sick.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Newell |first=Linda King |date=December 1999 |title=A Gift Given: A Gift Taken Washing, Anointing, and Blessing the Sick Among Mormon Women |url=https://sunstone.org/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/115-6-30-43.pdf |journal=[[Sunstone Magazine]] |issue=115 |pages=30-43}}</ref> These washings and anointings were encouraged by church leaders of the time including [[Brigham Young]].<ref name=":0" /> In one instance [[Ezra Taft Benson]] called on women who were ordained to wash and anoint to get rid of a disease affecting the [[Cache Valley]].<ref name=":0" /> This practice of washing and anointing in the home was curtailed in the 1880s and by the April 1921 [[General Conference (LDS Church)|General Conference]], the consensus was that [[Priesthood blessing|Priesthood blessings]] by Melchizedek Priesthood holders should be sought whenever possible.<ref name=":0" /> In 1946 [[Joseph Fielding Smith]] sent a letter to [[Belle S. Spafford]] these washings and anointings were discouraged.<ref name=":0" />
==Administration==
== Symbolic interpretations ==<!--
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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/>▼
▲
==See also==
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