We come into this world as innocent beings
To believe as some other churches teach that everyone who is born into this life has to bear the burden of responsibility for the "original sin" or transgression committed by our first earthly parents, Adam and Eve, is to deny the precious atonement of Jesus Christ.
Can we honestly believe that Our Heavenly Father would punish little children for an act of disobedience that they did not do? None of us who currently live on the earth was even born at that time. Heaven surely knows that during our own mortal lifetime, all of us have committed enough sins of our own to define our individual need to repent and come unto Christ for salvation.
Three of the Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all testify as to the innocence of little children and how the Savior felt about them: "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:16). Newborn babies come directly from Heavenly Father into this life. We know with certainty that such babes are innocent and pure upon their arrival, for nothing that is unclean can exist in the presence of God.
Can we honestly believe that Our Heavenly Father would punish little children for an act of disobedience that they did not do? None of us who currently live on the earth was even born at that time. Heaven surely knows that during our own mortal lifetime, all of us have committed enough sins of our own to define our individual need to repent and come unto Christ for salvation.
Three of the Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all testify as to the innocence of little children and how the Savior felt about them: "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:16). Newborn babies come directly from Heavenly Father into this life. We know with certainty that such babes are innocent and pure upon their arrival, for nothing that is unclean can exist in the presence of God.
In our Second Article of Faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints declares, We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression. To be accountable in the sight of God for our own sins, we must be mature enough to know with some understanding that what we have done that would be considered a sin is wrong and why. That's why we do not baptize infants in the Church.
Living on the earth requires us to interact with other people and situations. Heavenly Father has sent each of us here to learn obedience to His laws and ordinances . . . and in the process to seek to become more like the Lord Jesus Christ. In essence, life is filled with choices that require us to either act or be acted upon as we become older and hopefully wiser.
Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve teaches "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day. Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming. Righteous character is more valuable than any material object you own, any knowledge you have gained through study, or any goals you have attained no matter how well lauded by mankind. In the next life your righteous character will be evaluated to assess how well you used the privilege of mortality.
Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve teaches "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day. Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming. Righteous character is more valuable than any material object you own, any knowledge you have gained through study, or any goals you have attained no matter how well lauded by mankind. In the next life your righteous character will be evaluated to assess how well you used the privilege of mortality.
"Neither Satan nor any other power can destroy or undermine your growing character. Only you could do that through disobedience. A sterling character is converted into worthless ashes when eroded by deceit or transgression. Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. Such choices are made with trust in things that are believed and when acted upon are confirmed."
But we should never doubt that each of us comes into this world as an innocent being. After all, we were created in His image and likeness. We are His sons and daughters, and He loves us.
But we should never doubt that each of us comes into this world as an innocent being. After all, we were created in His image and likeness. We are His sons and daughters, and He loves us.
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