All children’s birthdays are special.
As parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins—indeed all family or friends—we look forward to each year’s milestone of another birthday. Another reason to celebrate. Maybe with cake and balloons. As birthdays approach, children become quite excited.
In families that are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an approaching eighth birthday is an even more exciting occasion.
Members of the Church believe that eight is the age of accountability, when children are considered to understand right from wrong. See Doctrine and Covenants 68:27 and 20:71 for more on this.
Certainly, special celebrations are planned, and memorable photos taken. This is part of the very special occasion. However, the most important part of turning eight for young Latter-day Saints is being baptised and confirmed.
Wearing all white, the eight-year-old enters the font with their brother, dad, uncle, grandpa or another person holding God’s Priesthood authority. You must be eight to be baptised, yet it’s good to know there is no upper age limit.
Focusing on this first and vital ordinance with associated covenants (or sacred promises with God), the Church has now produced a special edition of the children’s Friend magazine.
It contains posters and fun activities for children as well as simple explanations of the teachings of Jesus Christ and modern-day prophets and apostles about why baptism is essential. This edition of The Friend is a gift for children, and also for their parents and others who love them.
Read the August edition of The Friend, all about baptism, here. Paper editions can be ordered here.
Newsroom contributor: Jane Furey