Baptism Interview for 8 year olds

A few years ago there was a thread on 8-year-old baptism process. I posted some recollections from my baptism, which are pertinent to the discussion at hand now:

I joked about being baptized in a stake meeting earlier, but for the record, let me say that I remember it with fondness. It was over four decades ago, but I remember the excitement, the happiness, the feeling of calm. I remember how the chairs were set up facing the font. I remember being baptized by my late father, who I now miss so very much. I remember changing out of my wet clothes with my dad at my side. I remember how happy my mom was. I don’t remember who spoke. I don’t remember who conducted. I assume there where hymns, but I don’t remember that part. I don’t remember anyone being there that I knew, other than my mom and dad. There are a few other things I remember from that time frame. I remember being interviewed by the Bishop. He was a good man. Knowing what I know now, I’m sure he was a very busy man. He had a family, a job, and a huge responsibility, for which he received no pay. Yet, he seemed to have all the time in the world to talk to me. He made me feel happy about the baptism, he made me feel important and loved. He made me feel good about becoming a baptized member of the Church. I also remember being announced in SM the next day and the sensation of having all those smiling faces on me. People where sincerely happy for me. I got a lot of handshakes and congratulations on that day.

My actual baptism as an 8 year old was a positive experience, but the reality was I hadn’t wanted to be baptized.

I remember thinking if I wasn’t baptized, I could go fishing on Sundays. I could sleep in. I could go to church if I wanted to, but the same obligation wouldn’t be there, because I wouldn’t be a member.

Honestly, I didn’t remember having an actual real choice as an 8 year old about baptism. I turned 8, I was LDS, I memorized all the Articles of Faith, I was being interviewed, and I was getting baptized.

The age of 8 and baptism is such a cultural thing within the church. We make children wait until the age of 8, as it is the age of accountability, but we do not wait for children to instigate the process themselves. In many ways, it is as formalized and taken for granted as infant baptism.

I wish baptism was less of an age-linked right of passage, and more a personally instigated process that was linked to spiritual readiness.

The age of 8 and baptism is such a cultural thing within the church. We make children wait until the age of 8, as it is the age of accountability, but we do not wait for children to instigate the process themselves. In many ways, it is as formalized and taken for granted as infant baptism. I wish baptism was less of an age-linked right of passage, and more a personally instigated process that was linked to spiritual readiness.

This was not lost on little Roy. We sent out baptism invitations that said “Roy has decided to follow the example of Jesus by being baptized.”

Roy Jr. asked us, “When did I decide to be baptized?”

We responded, “Well, don’t you want to get baptized?”

“Yes, but when did I decide?”

Perhaps the church could have its cake and eat it too by permitting multiple baptisms. There is definitely church precedent. One could be baptized at 8 and then again later when they felt a need to personally recommit. Although I hear that in the old days it was getting out of hand – with people getting re-baptized every time they got sick… :crazy:

We don’t practise infant baptism, but we get as close to it as we can.

I agree it isn’t fully-informed consent, but I think the difference is more than negligible.

Eight years of teaching the basics (or five, if we only count non-nursery Primary years) can give a good foundation for many kids who are raised in the Church, while it isn’t enough for others. There is no ideal, universal age – and there is no way to guarantee full understanding of everything (for any religion or denomination) at any age. I wouldn’t object to 18 being the set age, but I also recognize that 8 works really well for traditional LDS families.

I think the real issue is with the lack of set time for convert baptisms to occur after the initial meeting with missionaries – the preparation level of people making major changes in their lives.

As with pretty much everything, it isn’t as simple as it appears on the surface.

In one way, baptizing children is how we end up with gays in the church (and who could eventually marry a same sex partner) – most eight-year-olds don’t know if they’re gay or straight. If they did know they would likely still cave to the cultural/family pressure and set themselves up for later misery. If they waited until they were old enough to understand if they were gay, the gay ones would likely not join the church – I wouldn’t.

Yep, which is a great example of why I would like to see a later baptism age. Probably won’t happen in my lifetime, but I’d like to see it.

Little Roy’s baptism went remarkably well. We drove down to Utah to be close to family and had almost 50 family members attend in support. The confirmation circle was at capacity of familial priesthood.

Roy did pretty well with all the attention directed towards him. He did hide around a corner for a while before the meeting because he was “tired” but he seemed to come around when the meeting started.

It was a great night and a success for my journey to stay LDS.

:thumbup: Good to hear and so glad it went well. Thanks for the update!