All About Mormons

Coming from a non-LDS background myself and now having been a member for almost 9 years, I believe that there is a fundamental difference in how the ordinance of baptism is viewed. Many churches believe that baptism is necessary solely for the remission of sin. As latter-day saints, we view baptism a little differently. It is the way to become a member of the church and thereby begin the steps to eternal salvation. Our goal is to become like Jesus and follow his example. Like little children, Jesus was also free from sin; yet, he too was baptized by immersion. Immersion is necessary, for it represents the death of a sinful life and the rebirth into a spiritual one which is dedicated to the service of God and his children. Those who are baptized enter into a covenant with God to take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ, keep his commandments, and serve him faithfully. For those of us who became members after the age of eight, this represents our commitment to put our sinful ways behind us. Think how wonderful it must be for children to be able to make this choice at the time they become accountable for their actions, choosing the Lord's way at an early age and thereby gaining protection from satan's power if they remaiin faithful! Add to this the powerful blessing of the gift of the Holy Ghost, received shortly after baptism, giving one the ability to discern right from wrong and to receive guidance in all things if they but ask of our Heavenly Father. They, like the rest of us, will still be tempted, but thankfully they have chosen to follow the Lord. If they, and we, fail or are tempted, the process of repentance can bring us back to being faithful and true followers of Christ who renew the baptismal covenant each time we take the sacrament (known in some churches as holy communion or holy eucharist).

Little chidren are still perfect in the sight of God. They do make mistakes, but until the age of 8 they are not accountable for them. Jesus, the only sinless man ever to walk this earth was baptized, why? To wach away sins that he never commited? Let's read why he was baptized...

13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.

Recorded in Jesus' visit to the other sheep he had, which were not of the fold in Jerusalem we find this spoken by the Savior:

21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

Recorded by the 1st prophet Nephi:

2 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: he that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

So why do we baptise innocent children? To follow Christ's command to do so.

From my understanding of baptism, when it pertains to 8-year olds, it's not necessarily to wash away sins as much that the child is now old enough to accept the covenants, or promises and blessings, that come with baptism.