The Washing of Feet
“And ye shall not receive any among you into this school save he is clean from the blood of this generation.” — Doctrine and Covenants 881
At the School of the Prophets, Joseph Smith introduced the ordinance of foot washing2 in January 1833, symbolizing humility and brotherhood.3 This practice reflected the time Christ washed the of the twelve Apostles,3 as recorded in John.4
The ritual involved washing hands, faces, and feet in the name of the Lord, with Joseph Smith personally washing the feet of all the elders, including his father.5 The instructions on how to carry out the foot washings were added to the Doctrine and Covenants in section 88.6
