Baptism ???

[Heckya]

If you are baptised as a child, but have no understanding of the baptism or of Christ does it count?

[inthearmsofsleep]

HECK YA!
Actually, no. Here's a segment from mormon.org:

Jesus Christ taught by example that everyone must be baptized of water and of the Spirit (the Holy Ghost) for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins. Through baptism by one who holds priesthood authority and through receiving the Holy Ghost, you can be spiritually reborn.
When you have repented, and are baptized and confirmed by one with the priesthood authority given by God, you receive a remission of your sins ( Acts 2:38). You make a covenant, or promise, with God to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, to follow Him, and to keep His commandments. In return, He promises to forgive your sins and let you return to live with Him, provided you keep your covenants. You are briefly immersed in water, as Jesus Christ was baptized. Baptism by immersion is a sacred symbol of the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it represents the end of your old life and the beginning of a new life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Little children do not need to be baptized until they reach the age of accountability, which is eight years of age, as they are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ ( Moroni 8:4–24; Doctrine and Covenants 68:27).

So basically, children are innocent because they have no knowledge of right and wrong until they reach a certain age. This makes it impossible for them to sin, therefore needing no repentance and no baptism until a certain age when they are more aware of the consequences of the decisions they make.

[Heckya]

So if I was baptised when I was 8 (baptised lds), but didn't understand it, then it doesn't count? I want to be clear....I'm still confused. I was baptised because my mother wanted me to be, but I don't recall learning much about baptism or what it meant. I'm sure I learned some things, but the day of baptism I was just scared and confused. I don't recall ever really understanding much about Christ or the church until high school and I'm really still just learning the basics.

[inthearmsofsleep]

Originally Posted by Heckya

So if I was baptised when I was 8 (baptised lds), but didn't understand it, then it doesn't count? I want to be clear....I'm still confused. I was baptised because my mother wanted me to be, but I don't recall learning much about baptism or what it meant. I'm sure I learned some things, but the day of baptism I was just scared and confused. I don't recall ever really understanding much about Christ or the church until high school and I'm really still just learning the basics.

Oh, I see what you mean. I was baptized at age 8 as well, and I didn't feel like I knew much about Christ or this gospel, but I did it anyway. Since then I've grown to know so much more and more about the purpose of baptism. Since it was done under proper authority and I understood what I could for the age I was, it wasn't done in vain. Every week we renew our baptismal covenants when we take the sacrament, so even if we didn't understand it as well as we should have when we were first baptized, we have the chance to be sort of "re-baptized" and renew those same promises.... to always remember Christ and keep his commandments.

[Heckya]

Thanks for the answer. I've never really felt like it meant anything. I have wanted to do it again so it was done for the right reasons and because I had understanding of it...I remember asking my mom the morning I was baptised why I had to do it. Her answer was because your grandparents want it done and I'd feel wierd if you weren't.

[inthearmsofsleep]

Originally Posted by Heckya

Thanks for the answer. I've never really felt like it meant anything. I have wanted to do it again so it was done for the right reasons and because I had understanding of it...I remember asking my mom the morning I was baptised why I had to do it. Her answer was because your grandparents want it done and I'd feel wierd if you weren't.

All you'd have to do is take the sacrament with faith and knowing what it means to you

[Heckya]

I understand that. It just doesnt' seem like enough. I'm sure it will in time. Thanks for the answers.

[rameumptom]

Baptism at 8 years of age is done because that is when a child BEGINS to understand right from wrong and begins to be accountable. There is no magic door one enters that suddenly makes us responsible for all knowledge and understanding. Baptism at 8 is supposed to occur when the child has been taught the basic principles of the gospel. Often it is done without enough teaching, IMO. I'm a strong believer that we should not baptize people of any age into inactivity.
Still, the baptism done at 8 actually becomes active when the person is ready to live the covenants made in baptism. We renew our covenants in the Sacrament, and when we become ready and worthy of the Lord's blessings, whether at 8 or 80, the promises made to us by God are fulfilled. He promises to send us the Gift of the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, when we are worthy to have His companionship. That can just as easily occur now as then. While rebaptism may not be in the cards for you, you can seek and enjoy the fruits of righteous living: the companionship of the Holy Ghost, at any time.

[inthearmsofsleep]

Originally Posted by rameumptom

Baptism at 8 years of age is done because that is when a child BEGINS to understand right from wrong and begins to be accountable. There is no magic door one enters that suddenly makes us responsible for all knowledge and understanding. Baptism at 8 is supposed to occur when the child has been taught the basic principles of the gospel. Often it is done without enough teaching, IMO. I'm a strong believer that we should not baptize people of any age into inactivity.
Still, the baptism done at 8 actually becomes active when the person is ready to live the covenants made in baptism. We renew our covenants in the Sacrament, and when we become ready and worthy of the Lord's blessings, whether at 8 or 80, the promises made to us by God are fulfilled. He promises to send us the Gift of the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, when we are worthy to have His companionship. That can just as easily occur now as then. While rebaptism may not be in the cards for you, you can seek and enjoy the fruits of righteous living: the companionship of the Holy Ghost, at any time.

Well-put.

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

Heckya sounds a lot like me. I got baptized, as well as made a Deacon, then Teacher, then Priest, then Elder - all before I had anything close to a testimony. I went through the motions and didn't want to embarass myself.

At the end of the day, being baptized doesn't mean much unless you're willing to accept the covenants that go with it. And those covenants don't mean much, if you do not have faith in Christ.

Here's the order it should go:
1. Have Faith in Christ
2. Repent of our sins
3. Baptism
4. Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Some people like me (and maybe heckya) kind of do it out of order. So heckya, I'd urge you to take the time to learn for yourself if God exists, Jesus is His son, Joseph Smith was a prophet, and if the Book of Mormon is what it claims to be.

And don't feel bad because you aren't all the way there yet. You're sure not alone.

LM