[George F. Richards diary, Dec. 31, 1942] This has been a wonderful year for me and my family. * I have also been instrumental in renewing the former practice in the Church of administering Second Anointings to faithful members, the practice having gone practically into disuse, only eight such blessings having been administered in the past twelve years. Up to twelve years ago there had been administered in the Church thirty-two thousand plus of such blessings. The day before Christmas I was instrumental in getting Pres[ident] [Heber J.] Grant to sign recommends for thirteen of the general authorities and their wives and the wives of two others of the Council to [be anointed with] their husbands; also a recommend for Stephen L. Chipman and wife, he having had his previously. I am sure that the Lord has inspired what I have been able to do along these lines. Pres[ident] Grant, in our council meeting of a few weeks ago appointed me to administer these blessings and at my request appointed Elder Jos[eph] Fielding Smith to assist me. We are the only ones in the Church having this authority by appointment.
[Source: Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
The following is submitted as an interesting parallel comparison only.
ReplyDeleteThis is what can possibly be construed as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Anointings in TCOJC (WHQ: Monongahela, PA).
All of them have to do only with the use of the blessed oil (extra virgin olive oil) being poured upon the heads of those recipients by members of the Priesthood (AFTER the recipient has his/her feet washed by a member of that group or quorum) who then lay hands upon their heads for induction into the following ordained offices:
Non-Priesthood offices:
Deaconess (women only) = 1st Anointing.
Deacon = (men only) = 1st or 2nd Anointing (if Teacher 1st).
Teacher (men only) = 1st or 2nd Anointing (if Deacon 1st).
Priesthood offices (men only):
Elder = 2nd or 3rd Anointing.
Evangelist (Quorum of 70) = 3rd or 4th Anointing.
Apostle (Quorum of 12) = 4th or 5th Anointing.
Nice to see one office for women. That's a start.
ReplyDelete