Washing and anointing: Difference between revisions

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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 over the age of 18, 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 |date=April 15, 2014 |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">{{Harvtxt|Packer|2007}}.</ref> The ordinance performed by the authority of the [[Melchizedek priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|Melchizedek priesthood]], and by an officiator of the same sex as the participant,<ref name="ABVW" /> is "mostly symbolic in nature, but promis[es] definite, immediate blessings as well as future blessings," contingent upon continued righteous living.<ref name="packer" /> These 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">{{harvtxt|Perry|1992}}.</ref>

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">{{harvtxt|Gaunt|1996}}.</ref>

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=== 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[[anointing]]s 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" /> 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" />

=== New Testament Period ===

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Many symbolic meanings of washings and anointings[[anointing]]s 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==

{{Portal|Latter-day Saints}}

* [[Anointed Quorum]]

* [[Anointing]]

* [[Chrism]]

* [[Chrismation]]