Hearken ye Elders of my Church, whom I have appointed: Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put in your hands by the power of my Spirit; and ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power from on high that ye may give even as I have spoken.” —Doctrines of the Saints 2b:18-21

In the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ, held from June 3 to June 6, 1831, a number of men were ordained to the High Priesthood of Melchizedek, and this ordination consisted of an endowment to bestow authority. These so-called Kirtland endowment ceremonies consisted of preparatory washings, at first administered in the homes of the Saints. Men washed and purified their bodies with soap, clear water, and perfumed whiskey (Kirtland Elders’ Quorum Record 1836).

Following this initial endowment, many men reported participating in a day of Pentecost, having extraordinary spiritual experiences, including seeing visions, prophesying, speaking in tongues, and receiving revelations. In December of 1832, Joseph Smith Jr. was given a revelation letting the Saints know that God wanted them to build a temple, a sacred place for these endowments (Doctrines of the Saints 53c:56). Today the Kirtland Endowment is called the Initiatories. Initiatories are not necessary for salvation or for membership into the Fellowship of Christ. They are performed as a Sacrament to the Lord. This Sacrament is a step one takes on their journey of service in Christ’s Fellowship and kingdom here on the earth.

For the Ministry

Before entering the Offices of the Priesthood of the Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship, one must obtain their Initiatories; that they may be washed clean, preparing them for the work of the Lord. This may be done before being ordained a new Deacon, if new to the Priesthood, or Elder, High Priest or High Priestess if coming from a branch of Mormonism where one has already been fully endowed and wishes to be re-washed and re-anointed. It is not necessary for every ordination as one grows in the Priesthood but may be redone upon request as moved by the Spirit.

If at any point one wishes to re-dedicate themselves to their call to serve, they may be washed, anointed, and clothed again. They would not, however, receive a another new name, except under special circumstances.

If one is coming from another branch of Mormonism that performs these rituals in their temples, the perspective minister has the option of having them performed again and obtaining another new name; or using the new name given them by the sister organization, as we are all branches from the same tree of Zion. If retaking the Initiatories, they would use the new name found in his Fellowship records as they move forward in Christ.

Washing and Anointing:

The Washing and Anointing should be done by a High Priest for those that identify as men or a High Priestess for those that identify as women. The only exception being spouses Washing and Anointing one another when/if possible.And, this may be done privately, at home to they re-dedicate themselves as they so desire. The other exception might be parents working together to give the Initiatories to their offspring, or grandparents handing these down in patriarchal and/or matriarchal succession.

It should be decided before hand who will be performing which parts of the rituals. One person may take the lead in all, with a second as an assistant to seal the washing and anointing and assisted in the blessing giving the garments and the new name. Or, one may ask as many as one person per task to perform the rituals. Their choices should be made prayerfully.

Spouses retaking their Initiatories in the privacy of their own homes may perform them on one another without any additional witnesses or officiators.

Initiatories Preformed

And behold, these Initiatories and these Endowments are to prepare thee for service in my kingdom and exaltation in the Celestial worlds.” —Book of Remembrance 11:25

Before the Initiatories are to be performed, offer all those present the Sacrament of Communion. There are four parts to the Initiatories:

Washing of the Feet
Washing of the Body
Anointing the Body
The Gift of the Garments and New Name

The following guide will walk one through these steps.

Washing of the Feet

The following Scripture should be read before the Initiatories are performed:

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” —John 13:14-15

Then, the ritual of the Washing of the Feet with water or oil, as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, will be performed (John 13: 4-5). It is recommended the congregation’s Bishopric, or the Pastor, or another leader perform the service. The Washing of the Feet should not be showy or drawn out. Neither should it be merely done quickly to get it out of the way. It should be performed with love as an act of charitable service to the individual and to God. After the Washing of the Feet, the Hosanna Shout may be performed, as moved by the Spirit.

The full Initiatory should be completed together on the same day, with each step following the other. However, if the Initiatories will not be completed the same day, one may wait up to seven days for their Initiatories. If one has waited longer than seven days, the Washing of the Feet would need to be done again before one receives their Initiatories.

Washing

The Washing ritual should be performed after the individual’s feet have been washed. They should be barefoot, met at the altar, and seated comfortably. This Initiatory is not a literal washing, thus the person should be properly clothed, unless this is a husband and wife performing the Initiatories on one another in the privacy of their own home.

To begin the Initiatory, holy water is placed upon the head, and the person is “washed” by a High Priest or High Priestess (see “Consecrating a Tallit, Garments, Robes, or Other Items” in Ordinances of the Saints for consecrating holy water). They should place their hand gently upon the individual’s head and anoint them as follows:

(State the person’s full name), having authority to act in the name of Jesus Christ, I wash you preparatory to your receiving your anointings, that you may become clean from the blood and sins of this generation.”

For the next part, the body part may be touched, or a hand may hover over each area of the body as the following is read/stated: the eyelids or eyebrows will do for the eyes, etc. If the person receiving requests it, the officiator may put holy water on each part to symbolize washing. It is best to go over all of this with the person in advance, to make sure their personal space is not violated. If they are not comfortable with either touching or hovering, just placing hands upon their head and stating the words will also be acceptable.

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 the glory of God
Your nose, that you may smell the offerings of the Lord
Your mouth, that you may speak forth His praise
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 perform their proper functions
Your arms, that you may be strong to perform His work
Your 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, that you might run and not be weary, and walk and not faint
Your feet, that they might be swift in the paths of righteousness and truth
Sealing the Washing

A second High Priest or High Priestess then places their hands on the initiate’s head, with the first officiator, and the second officiator seals the washing. A few others may be invited to join the circle beforehand. If there are more than three, all in the circle should use the First Order of Prayer. The sealing is as follows:

(Brother/Sister), (state the person’s full name); having authority, we lay our hands upon your head 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. So mote it be; Amen.”

For more information, see Chapter 10 of the Book of Remembrance.

Anointing

After washing, consecrated oil and is placed upon the head, and the individual is anointed by the first officiator, as follows:

(Brother/Sister), (state the person’s full name); having authority to act in the name of Jesus Christ, I pour this holy anointing oil upon your head and anoint you preparatory to your becoming a (Priest/Priestess) unto the most high God; hereafter to rule and reign in the house of Israel forever.”

To anoint, the body part is touched as the following is read/stated. If they are not comfortable, merely putting hands upon their head and stating the words will also be acceptable. See “Washing” for more information.

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 the glory of God
Your nose, that you may smell of the sweet fragrance offered unto the Lord
Your mouth, that you may speak forth His praise
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 perform their proper functions
Your arms, that you may be strong to perform His work
Your 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, that you might run and not be weary, and walk and not faint;
• Your feet, that they might be swift in the paths of righteousness and truth.
Sealing the Anointing

A second High Priest or High Priestess then places their hands on the initiate’s head, with the first officiator, and the second officiator confirms and seals the anointing. A few others may be invited to join the circle beforehand. If there are more than three, all in the circle should use the First Order of Prayer.

(Brother/Sister) (state their full name); having authority to act in the name of Jesus Christ, we lay our hands upon your head and confirm upon you this anointing, wherewith you have been anointed in the temple of our Lord and our God, Jesus Christ; preparatory to becoming a (king/queen) and a (Priest/Priestess) 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. So mote it be, Amen.”

For more information, see Chapter 11 of the Book of Remembrance.

Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power from on high that ye may give even as I have spoken.” —Doctrines of the Saints 2b:21