GUIDE TO THE SCRIPTURES
Wash, Washed, Washings
See also Atone, Atonement; Baptism, Baptize

To cleanse, physically or spiritually. Symbolically, a repentant person may be cleansed from a life burdened with sin and its consequences through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Certain washings performed under proper priesthood authority serve as sacred ordinances.

The priest shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, Num. 19: 7. Wash me thoroughly from my sin, Ps. 51: 2, 7. Wash you, make you clean, cease to do evil, Isa. 1: 16-18. Jesus washed the feet of his Apostles, John 13: 4-15 (D&C 88: 138-139). Be baptized, and wash away your sins, Acts 22: 16 (Alma 7: 14; D&C 39: 10). No man can be saved except his garments are washed white, Alma 5: 21 (3 Ne. 27: 19). Their garments were washed white through the blood of Christ, Alma 13: 11 (Ether 13: 10). By keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, D&C 76: 52. Your anointings and your washings are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, D&C 124: 39-41.