There is a difference of opinion between Baptists and Calvinists in this regard. Honestly, I don’t know what happens to a baby. Maybe they do go to heaven because all that is involved is Adam’s sin at that age.
But, an age of accountability is not found in Scripture, and trying to decide on an age when a person is “accountable” is foolish and adding to Scripture. Why 8 and not 10 or 6?
But, the point is, nobody is innocent. I think God may pardon all infants who die, however. Does he? I don’t know. That is one of the mysteries.
It is in LDS D&C.
But since only LDS consider that scripture I go with the age eight is about average. Personally I think it is mental age that more tells age of accountability, so could range anywhere with some (insert PC term for mentally challenged here) never reaching that age. Age eight is good though.
I wouldn't expect a child of three for example to know the difference between right and wrong. Yes they can do wrong, but they don't know. That is why I don't think they are accountable.
I think God may pardon all infants who die, however. Does he? I don’t know. That is one of the mysteries.
A question answered by the Book of Mormon. It is not a mystery to the LDS church.
~”Honestly, I don’t know what happens to a baby.”~
We do.
~”Why 8 and not 10 or 6?”~
Because God said so.
~”That is one of the mysteries.”~
Not anymore. That’s the beauty of modern revelation. You may not accept it, but it’s pretty comforting for those of us who do. Indeed, it could be said that there’s no such thing as a mystery in LDS theology. You can learn anything you want to, if you’re willing to do the work to learn it - the heavens are not closed.
No, our propensity to sin is the same as sinning -- the only thing Jimmy Carter got right. Without God's restraining hand, we'd all be sinning all day long from our first breath.
The only way anyone is saved is by and through and for the grace of God, given to whom He wills for His good pleasure alone.
the point is, nobody is innocent. I think God may pardon all infants who die, however. Does he? I don't know. That is one of the mysteries.
Amen. That is why Christian families have an advantage over other families -- they know God loves them and gave His Son for them and that love includes His love for all their children, those who grow up to a ripe old age and those who return to Him as infants.
Like everything in our lives, our children are gifts from God, not some unknown, autonomous entity which can end up surprising the giver as well as the recipient.
"Fellowship with Christ is communicated to infants in a peculiar way. They have the right of adoption in the covenant, by which they come into communion with Christ." -- Calvin, Romans 117"God pronounces that He adopts our infants as His children, before they are born, when He promises that He will be a God to us, and to our seed after us. This promise includes their salvation." -- John Calvin, INSTITUTES IV:xv.20.