what i believe: baptism

I've talked a little about baptism before, but never focused on it all by itself. Dave's nephew (well, mine too, but it's his brother's kid) was baptized this past week and it's got me thinking about baptism. In our church, we get baptized when we're eight years old. Before that age, we believe that children are innocent (and cannot sin) and if they were to die before the age of eight, that they will automatically be saved and go to heaven.

From latter-day revelation, we know that little children are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ. The Lord said, "They cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me" (see D&C 29:46–47). They are not to be baptized until they reach the age of accountability, which the Lord has revealed to be eight years of age (see D&C 68:27; Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 17:11). Anyone who claims that little children need baptism "denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption" (Moroni 8:20; see also verses 8–19, 21–24).

Personally, I've noticed kids who are older are much more aware of their actions. Isaac can obviously lie--he does from time to time: "I'm not picking my nose, Mom"--but because of Christ's Atonement, he is still perfect. I love thinking about him when he was first born...holding him in my arms and thinking how perfect and new he was. He's still that way. He is not accountable to God for the things he does yet. I'm so thankful for that. I haven't ever lost a child, but I know people who have, and I can't imagine the agony of not knowing where your child is...or if you'll ever see him again. Or even worse, the thought that your child went to hell because he or she wasn't baptized. One of the most beautiful parts of our church, to me, is that families are forever, and if you lose a child here, he will be saved...and you will see him again.

Mormons are baptized by total immersion. "Immersion is symbolic of the death of a person's sinful life and the rebirth into a spiritual life, dedicated to the service of God and His children. It is also symbolic of death and resurrection" (True to the Faith, 2004). In the Bible it says "Therefore we are ^aburied with him by ^bbaptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the ^cdead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should ^dwalk in ^enewness of life. For if we have been planted together in the ^alikeness of his ^bdeath, we shall be also in the likeness of his ^cresurrection:" (Romans 6:4-5).

After we are baptized, we are confirmed members of our Church by a man with the proper authority (most often the child's dad, but it can be any man who holds the Melchezidek priesthood). They give you a blessing and in that blessing they give you the gift of the Holy Ghost. I think it's amazing that from the time we are eight (or older, if you become a member of the Church later in your life) you can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. He can help you make decisions, warn you of danger, and whispers to your heart and mind things that are true.

I am so thankful that I was given the choice to be baptized when I was eight. I'm glad I chose to be baptized, that I was washed clean and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. I am thankful I get to renew my baptismal covenants each week when I take the sacrament at church. I am happy to be a member of this Church, because I know that what it teaches is right. I'm thankful for baptism.

For more information about baptism, you can go here.

art: the baptism by greg olsen