Do Little Children Need Baptism?

Problem

It is very clear in the New Testament that baptism is necessary to be saved and enter into God’s Kingdom.  

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16)

Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

What about a child that dies at birth that had not chance for baptism?  Some believe that these children are damned.  

Mormons: We have an “app” for that!

If we look closer at our scripture in Mark and hear what Peter and others have to say in the scriptures, we can see the requirements for one who is baptized.  

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16)

Acts 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The application these two words, believe and repent, show the necessity of faith and repentance before baptism.   A new born infant is incapable of either in his or her innocent state.  Even toddlers would fall into this category.

Let’s further apply the scriptures to get a better understanding of Jesus’ thoughts on little children.

Luke 15-17 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Christ seems to be saying that little children receive the kingdom of God and that we must become more like our children to have the same privilege.  The Book of Mormon (What is the Book of Mormon?) which is another testament of Christ and a writing of the ancient inhabitants in the Americas gives us the best explanation on this subject.

Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children. And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.  But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism! Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell. Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell.  For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism.  Wo be unto them that shall pervert the ways of the Lord after this manner, for they shall perish except they repent. Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God. (Mormon 8:10-16)

 As Jesus said, little children are the kingdom of God.  We believe that through Jesus Christ’s atonement not only does he save us through repentance but he saves those that are not yet accountable for their sins.  We believe little children are not capable of being tempted until they reach an age of accountability.  The Doctrine & Covenants, which is a book of modern scripture, explains this.  (What is the Doctrine & Covenants?).

But behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten; Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me; (DC 29:46-47)

The question then becomes, at what age does one become accountable?  

And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.  And their children shall be baptized for remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands. (DC 63:25-27)

We believe in a loving Savior that gave his life for all of us.  Through His atonement, we believe ALL may be saved whether through repentance and His grace to those who are accountable or solely on his grace if they are not.  This would include those with mental disabilities.  We even believe that those who did not have an opportunity to hear of his gospel while on earth will have that opportunity in the spirit world after death.  (God is Not a Respecter of Persons)  We believe God loves all of His children and has a special love for little children, for such is the Kingdom of God!