Revised Version (2005) of the
"Washing and Anointing" Portion of the Mormon Temple Ritual

On January 18, 2005, Mormon church authorities quietly made major changes to the "initiatory" part (the "washing and anointing") of the Mormon temple ceremony, the "endowment." This was the first major change made since 1990, when large parts of the ceremony were removed after a survey of members indicated that many members found them unpleasant or distasteful. Those changes affected only the drama part of the endowment, which remains unaffected by the 2005 changes. (For that 1990 version, click here; for the pre-1990 version, click here.

Summary of the changes

      The following is based on a first-hand report from someone who did Washings and Anointings as a patron on the afternoon of January 18, 2005. The ritual for a female patron would be exactly the same, except she would not be ordained to the priesthood, she would be addressed as "Sister N.," and the officiators would be female temple workers. For a Mormon receiving his own endowment (rather than acting as proxy for a dead person) the ritual would be the same except the phrase "for and in behalf of N. N., who is dead" would be omitted, as well as the ordination to the priesthood (since the living Mormon already holds the priesthood).

      First, the patron is given a one-piece garment with zipper in the front and is told to put it on in the locker room. The patron is then instructed to put the shield on over the garment. The shield is no longer open on the sides, as before. It is closed from the armholes to the ankles. It is never opened during the ritual.

      When clothed in the garment and the shield the patron goes into the first cubicle (about 4 feet by 4 feet) and sits on a little stool. The worker then places his hands on the patron's head and says:

"Brother N., having authority, I lay my hands upon your head for and in behalf of N. N., who is dead, and confer upon you the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordain you an Elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
      He then reads from what is labeled, "Preface" and says:

"Brother N., the temple washing, anointing and clothing ordinances were given anciently, as recorded in the Book of Exodus: "And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him..." [Exodus 40:12-13]

"We likewise administer these ordinances in our day, but you are washed and anointed only symbolically, as follows."

      The temple worker then dabs his fingertips into water and draws them across the patron's forehead. He does not touch any other part of the body, other than placing his hands on the patron's head, saying:

"Brother N, having authority, I wash you preparatory to your receiving your anointings (for and in behalf of [Patron gives the name. Then officiator repeats the name] N. N. , who is dead), that you may become clean from the blood and sins of this generation.

"I wash your head, that your brain and your intellect may be clear and active; your ears, that you may hear the word of the Lord; your eyes, that you may see clearly and discern between truth and error; your nose, that you may smell; your lips, that you may never speak guile; your neck, that it may bear up your head properly; your shoulders, that they may bear the burdens that shall be placed thereon; your back, that there may be marrow in the bones and in the spine; your breast, that it may be the receptacle of pure and virtuous principles; your vitals and bowels, that they may be healthy and strong and perform their proper functions; your arms and hands, that they may be strong and wield the sword of justice in defense of truth and virtue; your loins, that you may be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, that you might have joy in your posterity; your legs and feet, that you might run and not be weary, and walk and not faint."

      A second officiator then comes into the washing booth from the anointing booth and they both put their hands on the patron's head and the second officiator says:

"Brother N., having authority, we lay our hands upon your head (for and in behalf of [Patron does NOT repeat the name] N. N., who is dead), and seal upon you this washing, that you may become clean from the blood and sins of this generation, through your faithfulness, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
      The patron then moves to the second (anointing) booth and the officiator from that booth instructs the patron to sit on a stool and he drips a drop of oil on the top of the patron's head. No other part of the body is touched. He puts his hands on the top of the patron's head and says:

"Brother N., having authority, I pour this holy anointing oil upon your head (for and in behalf of [Patron gives the name and the officiator repeats the name] N. N., who is dead), and anoint you preparatory to your becoming a King and a Priest unto the Most High God, hereafter to rule and reign in the House of Israel forever. I anoint your head, that your brain and your intellect may be clear and active; your ears, that you may hear the word of the Lord; your eyes, that you may see clearly and discern between truth and error; your nose, that you may smell; your lips, that you may never speak guile; your neck, that it may bear up your head properly; your shoulders, that they may bear the burdens that shall be placed thereon; your back, that there may be marrow in the bones and in the spine; your breast, that it may be the receptacle of pure and virtuous principles; your vitals and bowels, that they may be healthy and strong and perform their proper functions; your arms and hands, that they may be strong and wield the sword of justice in defense of truth and virtue; your loins, that you may be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, that you might have joy in your posterity; your legs and feet, that you might run and not be weary, and walk and not faint."
      Another officiator steps into the booth and does the "Confirmation of the Anointing". He (with the anointing officiator) puts his hands on the patron's head and says:

"Brother N., having authority, we lay our hands upon your head (for and in behalf of [Patron does NOT repeat the name] N. N., who is dead), and confirm upon you this anointing, wherewith you have been anointed in the Temple of our God, preparatory to becoming a king and a priest unto the Most High God, hereafter to rule and reign in the House of Israel forever; and seal upon you all the blessings hereunto appertaining, through your faithfulness, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
      The patron then steps into a third booth with the officiator that just said the Confirmation prayer, and the officiator says:

"Brother N., under proper authority, the Garment placed upon you is now authorized (for and in behalf of [Patron gives the name. Then officiator repeats the name] N. N., who is dead), and is to be worn throughout your life. It represents the Garment given to Adam when he was found naked in the Garden of Eden, and is called the Garment of the Holy Priesthood. Inasmuch as you do not defile it, but are true and faithful to your covenants, it will be a shield and a protection to you against the power of the destroyer until you have finished your work on the earth."
      The patron then returns to his locker, removes the shield, dresses in the white temple clothing, and proceeds to the room where the company is gathering. For what follows, click here.

For a step-by-step comparison of the new version of the washing and anointing with the former version, and a discussion of how such changes are - by Mormon definition! - a sign of apostasy, click here (offsite).

Comments? (Please, no preaching, testimonies, or hate mail!) Write:  packham@teleport.com

©  2005 Richard Packham    Permission granted to reproduce for non-commercial purposes, provided text is not changed and this copyright notice is included

TO RICHARD PACKHAM'S HOME PAGE