Unveiling The SECRET Ritual Hidden From Most Mormons: The Second Anointing Ceremony

Unveiling the Secret Ritual Hidden from Most Mormons: The Second Anointing Ceremony

For many Latter-day Saints, the Second Anointing Ceremony is an enigma, a secret deeply embedded within the highest echelons of the faith. Few members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have ever heard of this arcane ritual, yet it holds profound theological implications that stretch well beyond the temple walls. As Tom Phillips revealed on the Mormon Stories Podcast, the ceremony is a closely guarded mystery, reserved for a select few who are seen as particularly devout or influential within the church.

Background: The Ceremony's Origins and Secrecy

The origins of the Second Anointing date back to the days of Joseph Smith, who initially introduced this ordinance as a way to solidify members' exaltation in the afterlife. Unlike the more widely known endowment ceremony, the Second Anointing remains practically invisible to the rank-and-file church member. The process begins not with an application or desire but through a quiet selection of candidates, usually those of significant contribution or high standing within the Church hierarchy.

Historically, the ceremony was more commonly practiced, but under the leadership of David O. McKay, its prevalence waned. The ritual found resurgence only within modern times when Apostles recognized that only a couple of them had experienced the Second Anointing. Thus, the practice was revived to ensure no gaps existed in their eternal assurances.

Key Claims and Evidence of the Second Anointing