All:

I recently received an email from someone who had read a paper I had written on “The History of Quenching”.  

He was reading a passage in Church of the Latter Day Saints, Doctrine and Covenants Section 1, verse 13,   http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/1:

"And the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth." 

I would gather that this passage would be interpreted as immediately prior to the end of days when the righteous and wicked are separated.

Is “bathing” a sword prior to battle holding it high to be bless; or is it coating the sword with some material like garlic to impart “special properties”; or is it something entirely different?  Could it be implying the quenching process and hardening the blade?

Is there any historical rituals used by either craftsmen or warriors prior to going in to battle?

I appreciate the help.

Scott

D. Scott MacKenzie, PhD

Technical Specialist - Heat Treating Products

Houghton International, Inc.

Madison and Van Buren Aves.

484-467-0285 (cell)

610-666-4007 (office)