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Age Of Accountability

In another thread I found this bit of information that I would be interested to have explained.

As a baptist I do believe in an age of accountability yet I have always interpreted this as a maturity level. More specifically at whatever age a child can understand what sin is. My question is brief is where do you find the 8 years old part?

Accountability Age

We have a book called, "Doctrine & Covenants" which is a collection of revelations that Joseph Smith received from the Lord. In one of these revelations it was revealed that the age of accountability when a child understands the difference between right or wrong is the age of eight.

Age Of Accountability Studies Doctrine Mormon

At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot I must question if this is a definite age of 8 or an average age of 8?

Children develop mentally at many different rates. How does this age factor work when you have a child that at the age of 8 either because of a handicap or autism is unable to understand his or her actions?

Also by this as I would understand this, a child of 6 or 7 would not be capable of accepting Christ as his or her personal Savior. I say that because before someone can truly accept Christ as their Savior they must first understand that they are in need of a Savior which would also suggest that they would understand that they have done wrong at some point in their life.

Accountability Age

The age of eight and thereafter a child may be baptized so long as they are willing to do so of their own free will.

Before being baptized the head of the local Church called the 'Bishop' or 'Branch President' like a pastor, would meet with the child and parents to Discuss this. Severely challenged people are not baptized, they are considered to be already saved in Christ just as children who die long before they could even walk or talk or accept Christ on their own - these all are saved in Christ.

Well everyone needs Christ regardless to what level one may think they need him they still need him without exception. At the age of eight it is possible for a child to understand right from wrong, why they should not steal, lie, and so forth and why these sins can only be taken away through Christ. The age is less important, the acceptance of Christ is what is important. There are people who are 50 still questioning whether they need Christ.