The Second Anointing: A Sacred Yet Enigmatic Mormon Ordinance

Within the Latter Day Saint movement, the Second Anointing stands as a profoundly sacred and enigmatic temple ordinance, considered by many as the pinnacle of the temple experience. Rooted in the teachings of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, this ceremony is believed to ensure salvation, guarantee exaltation, and confer godhood upon participants. In this article, we delve into the history and significance of the Second Anointing within the broader context of the Latter Day Saint movement.

Joseph Smith's Teachings:

Joseph Smith, the visionary leader of the Latter Day Saint movement, taught that the Second Anointing was an essential ordinance meant to secure the highest degree of salvation available in Mormon theology. Participants in this ceremony are anointed as "priest and king" or "priestess and queen," signifying their elevated spiritual status within the faith.

Evolution of the Practice:

In the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), the Second Anointing was performed more openly. Nominated couples received this ordinance regularly from the 1840s to the 1920s and less frequently into the 1940s. By 1941, approximately 15,000 living individuals and over 6,000 deceased individuals had undergone the Second Anointing. However, the practice became less common in subsequent years, and today, many modern LDS adherents are unaware of its existence.

Secrecy Surrounding the Ordinance:

In the present-day LDS Church, the Second Anointing is shrouded in secrecy. Only select couples, chosen by the highest-ranking church leaders, are believed to receive this ordinance. The process is clandestine, and discussions regarding the Second Anointing are actively discouraged within the church. Instructors in the church's institutes of religion are explicitly instructed not to discuss or answer questions about this sacred rite.

Continuation in Mormon Fundamentalist Groups:

While the practice has become rare within the mainstream LDS Church, it endures in various Mormon fundamentalist groups. These factions, which have diverged from the main body of the faith, continue to perform the Second Anointing as a central aspect of their religious traditions.

Exclusion in Other Denominations:

It's important to note that the Second Anointing is not practiced by all denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement. For instance, the Community of Christ, historically separated from the LDS Church, did not adopt the Nauvoo endowment ceremony, and thus, the Second Anointing is absent from their religious practices.

Conclusion:

The Second Anointing remains a unique and mysterious facet of the Latter Day Saint movement. Rooted in the teachings of Joseph Smith, this sacred ordinance is seen as the culmination of the temple experience, promising participants the highest blessings of salvation and exaltation. As it continues to be practiced in select circles and remains hidden from the broader LDS community, the Second Anointing stands as a testament to the complexity and diversity of beliefs within the wider tapestry of Mormonism.