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In Mormonism, the Second Anointing, also known historically and in Mormon scripture as the "fulness of the priesthood," is a very sacred and obscure ordinance usually conducted in temples. It is an extension of the Endowment, and was performed historically as part of the endowment process. Culturally today, however, some believe that the ceremony is reserved for a relatively small number of married couples selected by the President of the Church.

The Second Anointing may have been intended to symbolize or to literally fulfill scriptural references to the fulness of the priesthood such as in The Doctrine and Covenants, Covenant 124:28, a revelation by Joseph Smith, Jr. commanding the building of a temple in Nauvoo, Illinois, in part, because "there is not a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the priesthood." (emphasis added). LDS Church leaders often connect this ordinance with a statement by Peter in his second Epistle. In 2 Peter 1:10, he talks about making one's "calling and election sure," and further remarks, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy" (2 Peter 1:19). Joseph Smith, Jr. referenced this process in saying, "When the Lord has thoroughly proved [a person], and finds that the [person] is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the [person] will find his[/her] calling and election made sure".^[1]

The Second Anointing differs from the "first anointing" (part of the Endowment ceremony) in that, the first anointing promises blessings in the afterlife contingent on the patron's faithfulness, the Second Anointing actually bestows those blessings. According to prominent 20th century Latter-day Saint Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, those who receive the Second Anointing "receive the more sure word of prophecy, which means that the Lord seals their exaltation upon them while they are yet in this life. . . . [T]heir exaltation is assured." ^[2]

The Second Anointing is believed to be given or to have been given only to married couples. A few scholars have argued that because of this women who receive the Second Anointing, in which they are anointed queens and priestesses, are ordained to the "fulness of the priesthood" the same as their husbands. These scholars feel that Joseph Smith may have considered these women to have, in fact, received the power of the Priesthood (though not necessarily a specific Priesthood office).^[3]

Notes

^ Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 150, paraphrased by Roy W. Doxey in The Latter-day Prophets and the Doctrine and Covenants, pp. 406–409
^ Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd edition, p. 109–110
^ D. Michael Quinn, "Mormon Women have had the Priesthood Since 1843," in Hanks, ed., Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism

Sources

Anderson, Devry S., "The Anointed Quorum in Nauvoo, 1842-45", 29 Journal of Mormon History 137-157 (Fall 2003).
Buerger, David John (1983). ""The Fulness of the Priesthood": The Second Anointing in Latter-day Saint Theology and Practice". Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. 16(1): 10–44.
Buerger, David John, The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship, (2002), Signature Books, ISBN 1560851767
Doxey, Roy W., comp. The Latter-day Prophets and the Doctrine and Covenants, Vol. 4, (1965), Salt Lake City
Hanks, Maxine (editor), ''Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism, (1992), Signature Books, ISBN 1560850140
McConkie, Bruce R., Mormon Doctrine, (1958), Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, ISBN 0884944468, 2nd edition 1966: ISBN 0884940624
Smith, Joseph F., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, (1976), Deseret Book Co., hardcover: ISBN 0877476268, paperback: ISBN 087579243X, Covenant 2002 edition: ISBN 1591560284

[1] Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 150, paraphrased by Roy W. Doxey in The Latter-day Prophets and the Doctrine and Covenants, pp. 406–409

[2] Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd edition, p. 109–110

[3] D. Michael Quinn, "Mormon Women have had the Priesthood Since 1843," in Hanks, ed., Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism

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 The Second Anointing differs from the "first anointing" (part of the Endowment ceremony) in that, the first anointing promises blessings in the afterlife contingent on the patron's faithfulness, the Second Anointing actually bestows those blessings.  According to prominent [[20th century]] [[Latter-day Saint]] [[Apostle (Mormonism)|Apostle]] [[Bruce R. McConkie]], those who receive the Second Anointing "receive the more sure word of prophecy, which means that the Lord seals their exaltation upon them while they are yet in this life. . . . [T]heir [[exaltation]] is assured." <ref>Bruce R. McConkie, ''Mormon Doctrine'', 2nd edition, p. 109–110</ref>
+The Second Anointing is believed to be given or to have been given only to married couples. A few scholars have argued that because of this women who receive the Second Anointing, in which they are anointed queens and priestesses, are ordained to the "fulness of the priesthood" the same as their husbands. These scholars feel that Joseph Smith may have considered these women to have, in fact, received the power of the [[Priesthood (Mormonism)|Priesthood]] (though not necessarily a specific Priesthood office).<ref>D. Michael Quinn, "Mormon Women have had the Priesthood Since 1843," in Hanks, ed., ''Women and Authority: Re-emerging Mormon Feminism''</ref>
 ==See also==