The use of consecrated oil in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is deeply rooted in biblical precedent and stands as a distinctive practice within the restored gospel. The anointing of the sick and the bestowal of blessings through the laying on of hands, using oil set apart for sacred purposes, echoes ancient patterns of worship and priesthood authority. The Church teaches that this practice is not merely symbolic but is an ordinance performed by those who hold the proper priesthood authority, restored in modern times through divine revelation.

Scriptural accounts in both the Old and New Testaments attest to the sacred use of oil in religious rituals and blessings. In Exodus 30:22–25, the Lord commands Moses to prepare a holy anointing oil, to be used in the consecration of priests and the sanctification of sacred spaces. This act of setting apart through anointing was also practiced in the selection of Israelite kings, as seen in 1 Samuel 10:1, when Samuel anoints Saul, and in 1 Samuel 16:13, when David is anointed to be king. In the New Testament, oil is associated with healing and divine power, as exemplified in Mark 6:13, which records that the apostles "anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them." James 5:14 further reinforces this practice: "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."

The restoration of this ancient practice came with the reestablishment of priesthood authority in the modern era. Through Joseph Smith, the ordinances of anointing with consecrated oil were reaffirmed as an integral aspect of priesthood service. Unlike other Christian traditions where anointing with oil may be performed by clergy without a defined priesthood structure, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains that only those who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood have the authority to anoint and bless with consecrated oil. The proper procedure involves setting apart the oil through a dedicatory prayer, performed by a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, after which the oil is used exclusively for sacred ordinances, particularly blessings of healing.

The method of administering such blessings is well-defined. A priesthood holder anoints the recipient’s head with a small amount of the consecrated oil, stating that he is acting in the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the priesthood. A separate sealing of the anointing is then performed, in which additional priesthood holders, if available, lay hands on the individual’s head and pronounce a blessing as directed by the Spirit. This process is not merely a formality but a deeply spiritual act invoking divine power for healing and comfort.

A distinctive element of the Latter-day Saint understanding of consecrated oil is its use in the context of priesthood blessings rather than as a sacramental object. Unlike some traditions where oil is seen as possessing intrinsic power, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the efficacy of a blessing comes through faith in Jesus Christ and the authority of the priesthood. The oil itself is not imbued with independent healing properties; rather, it serves as a symbol of the Lord’s power and a witness of the covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Other Christian traditions also employ oil in various rites, including the Catholic and Orthodox sacraments of anointing the sick. However, the Latter-day Saint practice remains unique in its exclusive connection to the restored priesthood and its function within the framework of divine authority rather than ecclesiastical tradition alone. This distinction underscores a broader theological claim—that the authority to administer such ordinances was lost after the early Christian era and has been restored through modern revelation.

The continued use of consecrated oil among members of the Church serves as a tangible link to biblical traditions while affirming the reality of modern priesthood power. It reflects a restoration of divine patterns lost over time, reaffirming the belief that God’s power is active in the world today as it was in ancient times. For believers, the practice offers a deeply personal manifestation of divine love, reinforcing faith in Christ’s power to heal and bless through authorized servants. This restored ordinance stands as a testament to the continuity of God’s work, uniting the faithful with both biblical heritage and modern revelation in sacred harmony.