Baptism question

[autismmum]

Hi
I am going through the process of converting at the moment. I am looking into the future here but am wondering about my son. He is almost 9 and he has autism. There is no way he would manage Primary teaching and interview prior to Baptism but I worry about what will happen if he dies unbaptised. I think I read that if someone lacks the mental capacity to be accountable then they are accepted into the kingdom automatically....does this count for him?
I know it is ridiculous really to get so worried over it but it has always weighed heavily on my mind and has me in tears when I think about it. Just writing this has made me cry.
If I am Baptised into LDS church and he isn't is he away from me in the kingdom? Obv we won't be sealed.

[Dravin]

If he's unaccountable yes it counts for him. None of us here know him though to make that kind of call about his mental capacity. Even if I did know him well unless I was his Bishop or something it'd still not be my place to make that kind of call. A scripture to think about if he's unaccountable:

Originally Posted by Moroni 8:10-12

10 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.

11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the bremission of sins.

12 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!

Replace little children with the name of your son.

If you are unsure of if he's accountable or not I recommend petitioning the Lord in prayer to know his mind.

[annewandering]

You are not going to be separated from him over this. If he is not ready now he might be later on. If not then, have arrangements made to get his work done after his death just to cover the bases. Thing about autism is he might well understand it all perfectly well but cant communicate what he knows or wants. No way is he going to be held accountable for that.
I know some people are converted but can not be baptized, due to infirmities of some kind. There will be a way found to deal with this. How do we know that? Well we know God loves us. He is not going to bar someone from His blessings when they would do if they could. Keep your faith in His love and it will help to ease your concerns.

[tubaloth]

Baptism is the start of progression for Kids. This is when they can start to learn about Christ.

Just because he gets baptized does not mean that he has to attend Primary. Baptism is the start of his learning processes. The baptismal interview for kids is different then it is for adults.

When I was baptized at 8, all I really knew is that Christ was going to take away/wash away my sins and that I would need to do whats right!
Does your son know the difference between right and wrong?

[annewandering]

Good point, Tubaloth. Would the actual act of being baptized scare him? That could probably be worked up to.

[autismmum]

Thank you for the advice so far.
I like to believe he knows right from wrong. I have tried to bring him up to know about God and he does ask questions about it all....mainly odd stuff like "how old was God when he died"???
The act of baptism would terrify him, no doubt about that. Mind you I have Aspergers and the thought of baptism overwhelms me especially given that I have a fear of being underwater.

The other thing which complicates matters is the fact that I am married to his stepfather...my ex husband left us when my son was only 2 but he still sees him every other weekend..he is catholic and will probably put his foot down about him being baptised LDS

I thought he would have to do Primary type lessons prior to baptism..is that not the case?

xx

[IamMe]

As a mom of 2 children on the spectrum, one who is at the age of eight is great, I've spoken to our primary president & bishop on this matter myself.

My 8 is great guy, lacks the intelligence to understand the covenants he'd be making with a baptism, therefore, he is seen as a "perfect spirit" . Meaning that his spirit has reached perfection, there is nothing he needs to learn, he was put on this earth more to gain a physical body & to teach those around him something (some days I believe that's patience). Since he is unable to understand right from wrong, and because he already has that perfect spirit, there is no need for him to be baptised.

[rameumptom]

Take it slowly with him. Your bishop can determine whether baptism will be necessary now or perhaps in the future. It may be that your son will decide for himself later that he wants to be baptized. Kids with autism (depending on the severity) often get an idea stuck in their head and are incessant about it until it happens.

[trubludru]

I agree with the ideas that have been expressed. When I was 8, I think like most people raised in the church I had a basic (but limited) understanding of baptism but not the bigger understanding I have now. I think your son needs to be able to understand the basics in order to need to be baptized: right and wrong, who Jesus Christ is, and some basic concepts like faith and repentence. But again you can take your son to meet with your Bishop and get his opinion (he is responsible for interviewing 8 year children and seeing if they have those basic understandings of the gospel before they are baptized), and definitely pray about it yourself. But no need to worry or feel guilty if you end up deciding he is not really capable of understanding the basic principles of the Gospel, it just means he is in an innocent state and is already covered by the Atonement of Christ.

Also, once your son turns nine the responsibilty (on the church side) for determining if he has those understandings and is ready to be baptized will shift from your Bishop to the full time missionaries. But ideally they and your Bishop would reach the same decision.

[autismmum]

Are the full time missionaries different to the ones who are on their 2 year missions? Are there missionaries who are full time at the church? Am just wondering as I know I will have to have lessons with someone there prior to Baptism when I eventually get to that stage. I am hoping there will be a woman there!
I have just taken my son through his first prayer session with me which was lovely.