Baptism & Children Under the Age of Accountability

This is my Maria. My beautiful and lovely Maria. She is my 2nd child out of 4. I love this picture. We had just had an "artground". It was our backyard as a playground but with tons of fun art to be messy with. And boy! Did my kiddos get messy... but I suppose that's why God inspired someone to make hoses.

My Maria can get dirty. Understatement. But she is not dirty. It's something you can just feel and know, children ARE pure. Children ARE clean. Children are without sin.

Recently I posted some song helps for When I am Baptized. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to comment and express their thoughts. I think we all can agree that it's good to discuss doctrine and learn and understand truth. So I really hope that this post isn't misconstrued as me trying to argue or be contentious. I've studied a lot the topic of little children, baptism, atonement, and death because I have a baby that died and wanted to know all I could possibly know! There is so much knowledge out there thanks to our prophets and apostles and thanks to a loving Father in Heaven who has blessed us with the avenue to search, ponder, & pray and then in return give us answers.

Here is the backdrop. I have a simple qualm with the words from the song, "I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away." It's nothing to go inactive about, it's nothing really that has blown my world to bits... it's just something my 7 year old brought up, "Mommy, why am I singing this if I don't have sin?". At that moment and even more so now, I know the importance of teaching our children that they are pure and loved by their Heavenly Father.

Misconceptions & Explanations:
- A recently turned 8 year old doesn't have many "wrongs" to wash away
Children do not have any wrongs that are washed away.

- Children are not without wrongs. When they yell at each other, hit, disobey parents, etc. they are obviously wrong for doing those things.
Children make choices. Always they are in a process of learning. Under the age of 8, they do NOT commit sins that are washed away by baptism. They are pure. We are responsible to teach them properly.

- They (children) do commit wrongs, but because of the atonement, those wrongs are washed away without the child having to repent.
The atonement brings children who have died under the age of accountability back into the presence of God and redeems them from physical and spiritual death. Children do NOT have sin.

- The atonement doesn't automatically wash away our sins anymore like it did before we were eight.
Children do NOT have sin before the age of 8.

- God doesn't hold children accountable for their wrongs because they have not yet reached the age of accountability, therefore Christ's atonement makes up for those wrongs.
"The whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore little children are whole." (Moroni 8:8) The atonement for children under the age of 8 is the means by which they are redeemed from physical and spiritual death, and by spiritual death it is not because they are wicked, but because they were separated from God, the Eternal Father.

- That would assume that Christ's atonement couldn't wash away the sins of the little child
Little children do NOT have sins.

-  She is absolutely right, and it is important that we teach our children that we do have "wrongs" that need to be washed away.
Little children do NOT have sins that need to be washed away.

- These children, who are not yet 8, are not perfect, and therefore do need to understand where they can improve each day
We as parents need to teach children in correct paths, but should one die before they reach the age of accountability, children ARE perfect through the grace of Christ.

I'd like to take an in depth look at each misconception and hopefully the spirit will bear witness of truth spoken by latter day apostles and scripture.

What is the purpose of baptism?
As defined in the Bible Dictionary, " Baptism in water has several purposes. It is for the remission of sins, for membership in the Church, and for entrance into the celestial kingdom."

Notice there are 3 purposes. Joseph Smith also taught an additional purpose, obedience. " Do you believe in the baptism of infants? asks the Presbyterian. No. Why? Because it is nowhere written in the Bible. Circumcision is not baptism, neither was baptism instituted in the place of circumcision. Baptism is for the remission of sins. Children have no sins. Jesus blessed them and said, "Do what you have seen me do." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith pg. 314)

Children have no sin. Children cannot be tempted by the devil. Children are pure. Children are innocent. See Moroni 8. See D&C 29:46-50.

What then of the atonement and children? We need to understand the basics, so we turn to Gospel Principles:

" The Fall of Adam brought two kinds of death into the world: physical death and spiritual death. Physical death is the separation of the body and the spirit. Spiritual death is the separation from God. If these two kinds of death had not been overcome by Jesus Christ's Atonement, two consequences would have resulted: our bodies and our spirits would have been separated forever, and we could not have lived again with our Heavenly Father (see 2 Nephi 9:7-9).
But our wise Heavenly Father prepared a wonderful, merciful plan to save us from physical and
spiritual death. He planned for a Savior to come to earth to ransom (redeem) us from our sins and from death. Because of our sins and the weakness of our mortal bodies, we could not ransom ourselves (see Alma 34:10-12). The one who would be our Savior would need to be sinless and to have power over death."

The atonement DOES NOT wash away the sins of children because CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE ANY SINS OR WRONGS to be washed away. They are clean and pure. The atonement provides a means for children under the age of accountability to overcome physical death and spiritual death, which wasn't because of sin, but simply because they were separated from Heavenly Father because of the weaknesses of mortality.

If it still seems confusing, further clarification is given by Bruce R. McKonkie in a talk entitled The Salvation of Little Children (Ensign April 1977) quote: (I highlighted words that especially meant a lot to me personally)

“How and why are they (little children) saved?
They are saved through the atonement and because they are free from sin. They come from God in purity; no sin or taint attaches to them in this life; and they return in purity to their Maker. Accountable persons must become pure through repentance and baptism and obedience. Those who are not accountable for sins never fall spiritually and need not be redeemed from a spiritual fall which they never experienced. Hence the expression that little children are alive in Christ. “Little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten,” the Lord says. (D&C 29:46.)

Why do some children die and others live? Are those who die better off than those who remain in mortality?

We may rest assured that all things are controlled and governed by Him whose spirit children we are. He knows the end from the beginning, and he provides for each of us the testings and trials which he knows we need. President Joseph Fielding Smith once told me that we must assume that the Lord knows and arranges beforehand who shall be taken in infancy and who shall remain on earth to undergo whatever tests are needed in their cases. This accords with Joseph Smith’s statement: “The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth.” (Teachings, pp. 196–97.) It is implicit in the whole scheme of things that those of us who have arrived at the years of accountability need the tests and trials to which we are subject and that our problem is to overcome the world and attain that spotless and pure state which little children already possess.

What is the age of accountability?

Accountability does not burst full-bloom upon a child at any given moment in his life. Children become accountable gradually, over a number of years. Becoming accountable is a process, not a goal to be attained when a specified number of years, days, and hours have elapsed. In our revelation the Lord says, “They cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me.” (D&C 29:47.) There comes a time, however, when accountability is real and actual and sin is attributed in the lives of those who develop normally. It is eight years of age, the age of baptism. (D&C 68:27.)

This principle of accountability has been twisted and perverted and even lost at various times. It was at the root of Mormon’s inquiry to the Lord about infant baptism. (See Moro. 8.) One of our most instructive passages on the point contains the words spoken by the Lord to Abraham. “My people have gone astray from my precepts, and have not kept mine ordinances, which I gave unto their fathers,” the Lord said.

"And they have not observed mine anointing, and the burial, or baptism wherewith I commanded them;
But have turned from the commandment, and taken unto themselves the washing of children, and the blood of sprinkling.” (JST, Gen. 17:4–6.)

Infant baptism was practiced by some even in those early days. The reason? Men no longer understood the atonement. For, as the record continues, those ancient peoples “said that the blood of the righteous Abel was shed for sins; and have not known wherein they are accountable before me.” (JST, Gen. 17:7.)

Then the Lord made this promise to Abraham: “I will establish a covenant of circumcision with thee, and it shall be my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations; that thou mayest know for ever that children are not accountable before me until they are eight years old.” (JST, Gen. 17:11)

*******

I always turn to the words of the Lord when a question arises. I always go with what the Spirit whispers to my heart. As I look at my children I do understand perfection, I do understand what the Savior is like. Elder Boyd K. Packer, whom I love, love, love - understatement- gave a wonderful discourse on the beauty of children in this last General Conference, found HERE. A quote I particularly felt touched by was, "Fathers and mothers, next time you cradle a newborn child in your arms, you can have an inner vision of the mysteries and purpose of life."

Our children are what heaven is. Plain and simple. The are pure. They are clean. They have no "wrongs" needed to be "washed away". We should enjoy them, teach them the best we can and love them with all our souls. Christ knows all. God knows all. And They love us more than words can say. This I bear testimony of in the Name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

August 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Ideas and Helps

California Quail Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Peter Baer March 21,2009
I don't know why, but this bird reminds me of me. The dove led the glorious life and the quail was used, well, for dinner. At least I don't feel like a crow. Perhaps I feel like I resemble a quail because secretly I long for the poof bangs of the 90's to return to style.

August Theme: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He is a God of miracles.
August Scripture: "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles;...and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith." 2 Nephi 27:23

Week 1: Jesus Christ is a God of Miracles.

* Have a small box of feathers with a picture of a quail on front. Briefly ask the children if they know why quails are miracles?

"The book of Exodus reports that quail were miraculously provided to feed the hungry people of ancient Israel (see Ex. 16:13; Num. 11:32; Ps. 105:40). The pioneers had an equivalent experience. After the last of them had been driven out of Nauvoo, many were sick and some had died. Their provisions were meager. On the river bottoms near Montrose, Iowa, on 9 October 1846, many quail miraculously flew into camp. The quail were cooked and fed to some 640 destitute people (see Stanley B. Kimball, "Nauvoo West: The Mormons of the Iowa Shore," BYU Studies, winter 1978, 142)." Russell M. Nelson, "The Exodus Repeated," Ensign, July 1999, 9

Have about 10-12 TOTAL questions, scriptures and songs having to do with Jesus Christ and His many miracles on little scraps of paper. Put these in the feathers and invite the children to come up and pick a paper. For children that have been extra helpful, let them choose a feather to take home!

* Play Miracle charades! Break into groups, give each group a miracle Christ did, have them come up with actions and then come to the front to let the primary guess away! The groups can come up with 3 hints also if our primary friends need help.

* Pin the Pointer on the Liahona: Have a poster board with a large liahona drawn on it. Have 15 black arrows for the children to "pin" on with tape. Have a blindfold and spin them. BUT BEFORE you do this, they have to tell a story from the scriptures or from their own life about how Jesus is a God of miracles. If the younger kids need help, have them choose an older child to come up front to help them tell a story. I would also have a variety of different Gospel Art Kit pictures posted all around to help jog their memory.

Alma 37:38-40 "And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it. And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness. And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day."

* As a visual- Have an apple. Ask the children if this apple will just up and change into a banana. Let's watch it for 10 seconds, just in case. Nope, not changing! Maybe if a primary friend holds it, it might change? Hmmm.... Kind of like Heavenly Father and Jesus, they don't just up and change out of the blue!!

Mormon 9:17-19 "Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was created of the dust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought?And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles. And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

* During Singing Time, have a child come to the front and wear and overly large t-shirt. Have their hands barely sticking out. As you sing a song, have the child move their arm out (lengthened) or in (shortened) and correspond with a way to sing. (They might have to do this by pulling up the sleeve or letting it down depending on the size of the shirt) For example, if the arm is outstretched, sing boldly, if it's shortened sing softly. They will have to watch their primary friend carefully! Boy, talk about miracles, what beautiful singing!!!

D&C 35:8 "For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name"

* For Senior Primary: Have copies of this talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks for each child. Have them break into pairs or small groups and read together. Have highlighters for them to mark anything that sticks out to them. After reading let the children share how they know Jesus Christ is a God of miracles or any thoughts they had about the article.

Week 2: Jesus Christ can heal the sick.

* Have a poster board of an outline of a person. Time to break out the quarters and splurge for a box of band aids at the $1 store. Let the children come up and add band aids to the paper person as they answer questions, sing songs and read scriptures having to do with Jesus healing the sick. We're going to do this for a FHE!

* Have a first aid kit with different scripture stories of Jesus healing the sick attached to the items inside it. Have children pick out an item and discuss the story in groups, then rotate the items.

* Have different stations with special guests! Is there anyone in your ward with a medical background? Have any doctors or nurses come into primary and share with the children stories of Christ healing the sick. Perhaps they could even bring in something they use at work to help others feel better for the children to look at! Make sure each station has a picture to go with the story or a flannel board. Kindly remind guests to be enthusiastic and encourage primary friends to share any knowledge they have of the different stories! I would do probably 3 stations, rotate and then finish with the guests bearing testimony of Christ as our Divine Healer.

* Here is a lesson from the Choose the Right A manual. The enrichments are great for little ones.

* Here is another lesson from Primary 7 manual. I especially like the attention activity with the coat.

* Here is a great crossword of Jesus healing the lepers (from The Friend)

* For FHE play the game operation! Put a gospel twist on it by reviewing stories of Christ healing and singing songs on faith to earn the opportunity to perform surgery! End with the fact that Jesus is the doctor of all doctors! He heals!

Jeremiah 17:14 "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise."

Week 3: Jesus Christ has power over death.

*Reader's Theatre HERE . Did you notice the tip in the outline "As children act out scripture stories, they are able to remember and understand them better."
Excellent.

Week 4: Miracles come to those who have faith.

Be prepared- miracles accompany the faithful, but even the faithful are tried and tested and sometimes don't get the miracle they want no matter how very faithful they are! God knows what's best when it comes to the "when" and "who" of miracles. Make sure the children understand sometimes they will receive miracles and sometimes not, and that's OK because Heavenly Father and Jesus know what They are doing! The key is to trust them and pray to develop a testimony of Their wisdom and mercy.

* "...Faith precedes the miracle. It has ever been so and shall ever be. It was not raining when Noah was commanded to build an ark. There was no visible ram in the thicket when Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. Two heavenly personages were not yet seen when Joseph knelt and prayed. First came the test of faith—and then the miracle."Thomas S. Monson, “The Call to Serve,” Liahona, Jan 2001, 57–60

Have different scripture stories and pictures on faith and miracles. Click HERE for the different books that you can then choose specific stories from. Print out the stories, cut apart and put into envelopes. Have the children divide into groups and sequence the stories in the right order. What came first? What came last? Have them share with the Primary.

* Ether 12:12 "For if there be no faith, among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith."

Have about 6 different items hidden under 6 different small blankets. These items should have to do with stories from the scriptures having to do with faith and miracles. Have different clues to help the children guess what is hidden. They can come up to the front to read different clues.

For example, I would have small crystal rocks under the blanket. Clues: This miracle takes place in the Book Of Mormon. This miracle only happened because of a very faithful man. This man had a really long name. He prayed very faithfully and often to know what God wanted him to do. This miracle helped the man and his family and friends cross the dark and deep ocean with light. This miracle had to do with a people that rhymes with Marednites. Show a picture clues from the GAK 318. The brother of Jared and the sixteen stones!

* Have the names Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas written on the board. Does anybody know who on earth these people are? What do our primary friends think about these names? Tell the children, to find out more, we're going to go back in time. Have the children pat their laps twice and put their thumbs back in the air. Keep on doing this rhythm as an invited guest comes in, dressed in ancient robes. Great job friends, we've made it back in time and it's my pleasure to introduce you to.... (Then using chalk circle the name Stephen). Have your special guest give children scriptures to look up to learn more about him. (Acts 6:4, Acts 6:8, Acts 6:9-10, Acts 7:54-60) Have Stephen answer any questions and talk about how he was the first martyr after the death of Christ. While he was faithful and performed miracles, he still was stoned. We might not understand the "why's" of life, but that's OK because

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

* Have a large map of the world. Have small flags from different countries around the world that you can attach to the map.

2 Nephi 26:13 " And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles,

signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith."

Have questions, scriptures and songs on miracles and faith corresponding to the different flags and as they answer, let them place on the map where it belongs.

* Why do missionaries serve missions? Where do you want to go on a mission? Invite the missionaries in to ENERGETICALLY talk about faith for A COUPLE MINUTES (AS IN A COUPLE MINUTES, 2 MINUTES). Can you really be a missionary without faith? Is serving a mission a miracle? According to our apostle President Boyd K. Packer (I heart Boyd) Yes!!

Tip: Read slowly as some of the words are big. "What kind of miraculous persuasion is it that would have a young man, vigorous, active, interested in life itself- at the one time when he, by virtue of normal appraisal, ought to be more interested in material things- be willing to respond to a call to serve on a mission, pay his own way, give a tithing of his life, 2 years, preaching the gospel? Miracle? Oh, yes; but we have over 25,000 of them." Boyd K. Packer, "Called of God by Prophecy," New Era, Sep 1978, 33

Then take the time to write letters and draw pictures for the faithful missionaries/miracles serving from your ward!

*What is one of the greatest miracles that has happened in the past 200 years? What example of faith led to the only recorded time in history that God the Father and His Son miraculously appeared? Show a church video of the account of Joseph Smith and the first vision. (Remember you only have about 10-13 minutes to do so as you need to incorporate singing and time for them to share their thoughts.)