Some of my friends have asked why we are baptized at age eight. What should I tell them?

Baptism is an essential ordinance for us to return to our Heavenly Father. When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He told His disciples that no one can enter the kingdom of God without being baptized (see John 3:3–5). Many other religions believe in baptism, but the correct manner of baptism is a disputed and controversial topic.

Fortunately, through modern revelation we have been told that baptism must be done by immersion and by someone with priesthood authority. Also, the person being baptized must be above the age of accountability, which means that he or she is old enough to understand right from wrong. The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that “children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old” (D&C 68:27). Explain to your friends that this is one reason why it is so important to have modern revelation—so we can know God’s will concerning baptism.

One purpose of baptism is to make covenants with our Heavenly Father and become a member of the Church. We believe that by the time normally developed children are eight years of age, they are ready to keep the commitment of baptism.

Photo-illustration by Welden C. Andersen