Washing and anointing

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).[5] 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.[5]

Jesus washing Peter's feet. Painted by Ford Madox Brown.

The rites are in many respects similar in purpose to ancient Israelite practice and to the washing of feet by Jesus among his disciples.

As the Latter Day Saints were completing their first temple in Kirtland, Ohio, founder Joseph Smith led many of the prominent male church members in a pre-endowment ritual patterned after similar washings and anointings described in the Bible.[1] This ritual took place beginning on 21 January 1836 in the attic of a printing office.[1] Their bodies were washed with water and anointed with perfume, and then their heads were anointed with consecrated oil.[1] Soon after the temple's dedication ceremony on 27 March 1836, about 300 Mormon men participated in a further ritual washing of feet and faces.[1]

Several years later, after Latter Day Saints moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, Smith revised the washing and anointing rituals as part of the new Nauvoo endowment.[1] On 4–5 May 1842, nine prominent male church members were inducted into this endowment ceremony in the upper story of Smith's store.[1] The first woman (Smith's first wife, Emma) was inducted into the endowment ceremony on 28 September 1843.

As the washings and anointings were practiced in Nauvoo, men and women were taken to separate rooms, where they disrobed and, when called upon, passed through a canvas curtain to enter a tub where they were washed from head to foot while words of blessing were recited.[4] Then oil from a horn was poured over the head of the participant, usually by another officiator, while similar words were repeated.[4] As part of the ceremony, participants were ordained to become kings and queens in eternity.[4] Men performed the ritual for men, and women performed the ritual for women.[4] Also, as part of the ceremony, participants were given a new name and a ritual undergarment in which symbolic marks were snipped into the fabric.[4][8]

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.[9] These washings and anointings were encouraged by church leaders of the time including Brigham Young.[9] In one instance Ezra T. Benson called on women who were ordained to wash and anoint to get rid of a disease affecting the Cache Valley.[9] This practice of washing and anointing in the home was curtailed in the 1880s and by the April 1921 General Conference, the consensus was that Priesthood blessings by Melchizedek Priesthood holders should be sought whenever possible.[9] In 1946 Joseph Fielding Smith sent a letter to Belle S. Spafford saying these washings and anointings were discouraged.[9]