Comments on: Symbolism and the Washing of Feet

By: J. Stapley

J. Stapley — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 17:12:57 +0000

I found a record, a while back, of a 19th century black Baptist congregation that did a washing of the feet. I’m actually pretty surprised to hear about the CoC. LAst I heard, they weren’t doing that. To answer your question about if it is still performed, Naiah, it is and as a sepperate ordinance.

By: Naiah Earhart

Naiah Earhart — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 17:00:46 +0000

In addition to the CoC (RLDS back when this took place), there is at least one other ‘spin off’ church that performs the washing of the feet. I have no documentation, and honestly, I can’t remember the name of the church (I’m so helpful that way), but I was doing a Tupperware party for this woman, and noticed a scripture from Alma on her wall. When I inquired if she were LDS, she told me that no, she was a member of a different church that held the BoM to be scripture. During the party, she and several other women there mentioned having gotten pedicures in anticipation of the washing of the feet ordinance that was to be performed the next day. IIRC, they were even going to get to use the temple for it.

As to why it is not performed as an independent ordinance today, hasn’t it been integrated into the endowment? Rather, is not the same purpose accomplished therein? I don’t want to say anymore than that, but you know what I mean.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 06:26:28 +0000

The washing of feet is also practiced in many Christian churches on Maundy Thursday, during Holy Week, so named because it was the Dies Mandatum or Day of the New Commandment (to love one another). The washing is usually accompanied by the Ubi caritas, a 9th century gradual text, either chanted or in one of many more recent choral settings.

By: J. Stapley

J. Stapley — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 03:35:11 +0000

Heber C. Kimball Journal, entry entitled "Strange Events, June 1842," unnumbered pg. 114, LDS Church Archives. Also in On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball pg. 55

By: Julie in Austin

Julie in Austin — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 02:00:35 +0000

j.,

can you provide the hc cite?

By: Bryce I

Bryce I — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 20:35:20 +0000

On the topic of other faiths performing foot washings, the Rev. Canon Samuel Wells was installed as the new dean of Duke Chapel this week. The service ended with Wells washing the feet of twelve members of the Duke and Durham communities. Details here (scroll to bottom).

By: J. Stapley

J. Stapley — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:31:45 +0000

Indeed Julie, they demonstrably are. Those at Kirtland who recieved this ordinace were sealed up into eternal life. Joseph talks about this in the History of the Church. I think Heber C. Kimball’s journal is one of the best places to see how Mary’s washing of Jesus is connected.

By: Julie in Austin

Julie in Austin — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:24:44 +0000

(To speak more precisely (the difference probably matters), she anoints Jesus’ feet with ointment and wipes with her hair but Jesus washes with water and wipes with a towel.)

By: Julie in Austin

Julie in Austin — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:23:18 +0000

Does anyone want to engage the fact that before Jesus washes the feet of the disciples in John 13, Mary washes his feet in John 12? Hard to fathom that those are not related. . .

By: matt witten

matt witten — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:08:42 +0000

J., so for you, the second anointing would be the washing of feet? I know this is a sensitve topic, so I’ll not say more.