Anoint

The concept of anointing is one of the most ancient and sacred motifs in the Judeo-Christian tradition, symbolizing an investiture of power. Within Latter-day Saint theology, the act of anointing weaves together themes of physical restoration, consecration, and the ultimate exaltation of the human family. Far from being a relic of the past or an honor reserved for a select few, anointing represents an active, ongoing invitation for humanity to participate directly in the divine work of salvation and exaltation.

The Hebrew mashiach and the Greek christos both mean “one who is anointed,” thus the title Christ describes an office rather than a name given at birth. Jesus of Nazareth is not the only individual called by this title. The Prophet Isaiah called the Persian emperor, Cyrus the Great, a “Messiah” for conquering Babylon and liberating the Jews from captivity (Isaiah 45:1). Several other prophets and kings are anointed to serve missions of liberation, and in Latter-day Saint tradition, both scriptural and modern prophets are often referred to as the Lord’s “anointed servants.”

The dual nature of anointing

Hedcut illustration of In Latter-day Saint practice, anointing the sick pairs consecrated oil with priesthood authority, so that a common medicinal substance can be used for healing in the name of Christ. — By anointing with consecrated oil, Latter-day Saints invoke priesthood authority to bring about physical and spiritual restoration.

On a practical level, the ordinance of administering to the sick involves anointing the head with pure, consecrated olive oil, in the name of Christ by virtue of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Oil⁠—historically a source of light, nourishment, and medicinal relief⁠—serves as a consecrated emblem rather than the cause of the healing itself. Healing comes by faith in Jesus Christ and the exercise of priesthood authority, subject to God's will. The consecrated oil is not efficacious in and of itself, and its unavailability does not impair the blessing. Where oil is unavailable, the blessing proceeds by authority alone (James 5:14⁠–15; cf. D&C 42:43⁠–44).

Anointing with consecrated oil extends far beyond physical restoration. In the sacred spaces of Latter-day Saint temples, the initiatory ordinance hearkens back to ancient coronation rites. Drawing on the ancient Israelite tradition of anointing kings and priests, the temple liturgy uses this ordinance to ritually prepare everyday individuals to become "kings and queens, priests and priestesses." By being set apart in this way, faithful individuals are ritually designated as literal heirs of eternal life, preparatory to receiving all the Father has and taking their place within His kingdom.

Peter tells scattered believers that they are “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), and John writes that “the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you” (1 John 2:27). To take upon oneself the name of Christ is to share in His anointing. It is also a mandate to become an active instrument in bringing salvation to others.

This radically egalitarian conception of participatory atonement brings new meaning to the covenant that Latter-day Saints make in the holy temple to avoid “evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed.” Beyond an injunction against slandering their leaders, this admonition exhorts the Saints to be thoughtful in how they speak of all the servants of God, from the least to the greatest.

Consecration and Materiality

Hedcut illustration of In the Hebrew Bible, blood is identified with life, underwriting a sacrificial economy in which covenant obligation and mortal contingency are acknowledged through ritual shedding. — The concept of consecration in the LDS tradition maintains that ordinary matter can be dedicated for a sacred purpose without losing its materiality.

Consecration refers to the act of dedicating unremarkable, everyday substances to sacred use. Oil, water, bread, hands, and words become instruments of blessing while remaining material. This underscores a distinctly Latter-day Saint view of reality: the sacred does not overwrite the natural, material world, but instead organizes and sanctifies it.

Mormon Transhumanists read technology on this pattern. Medicine, genetics, prosthetics, neural interfaces, and longevity research are processes available for consecration or for abuse, and their physical character does not settle which. A gene therapy that restores sight does the work of anointing the sick. The Mormon Transhumanist Affirmation counts science and technology among the means ordained of God for such work.

Anointing and Servant-leadership

Anointing raises a question about authority and the manner in which it is exercised. Scripture warns repeatedly about anointed men who overstep the bounds of their authority and resort to unrighteous dominion. Doctrine and Covenants 121 makes the correction explicit: power that does not operate by persuasion, gentleness, and love unfeigned is no priesthood at all.

That warning applies to enhancement. Capabilities that heal and elevate can also lead to stratification. Because true divine power operates on principles of righteousness, those who have been given much must strive relentlessly to make these technological capabilities accessible to everyone, from the least to the greatest.