The rejection of infant baptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is rooted in scripture, divine revelation, and the fundamental doctrine of agency. Baptism is regarded as an essential ordinance for salvation, but it is reserved for those who are accountable for their choices. The doctrine that little children are innocent before God and therefore have no need for baptism is clearly taught in both ancient and modern scripture. This position stands in contrast to many Christian traditions that practice infant baptism, and it carries significant theological implications regarding the nature of sin, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the principles of repentance and accountability.

The Book of Mormon provides the most explicit scriptural rejection of infant baptism. In a revelation given to the prophet Mormon, the Lord condemns the practice in unequivocal terms: "Little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them" (Moroni 8:8). Mormon further declares that those who believe infants need baptism "deny the mercies of Christ, and set at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption" (Moroni 8:20). These verses make it clear that infant baptism is not only unnecessary but also a corruption of the doctrine of Christ. Because the Atonement of Jesus Christ redeems all who are not accountable, baptizing little children implies that His grace is insufficient—an idea explicitly rejected in Latter-day Saint teachings.

The Doctrine & Covenants reaffirms this principle, stating that baptism is for those who have reached "the years of accountability" (Doctrine & Covenants 68:25). This standard age is set at eight years old in that revelation and in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (JST Genesis 17:11). It is an age when children are believed to begin to understand right from wrong and thus become responsible for their actions. This doctrine aligns with the principle that baptism is not merely a ritual but a covenant requiring conscious commitment. Repentance is an essential prerequisite for baptism (Acts 2:38; Doctrine & Covenants 20:37), and repentance is meaningless for those who have no sins to forsake and who cannot consciously seek repentance. Baptizing infants undermines the requirement of personal agency, a fundamental principle of God's plan.

The rejection of infant baptism is not entirely absent from early Christianity. Historical evidence suggests that baptism was originally administered only to those who could personally express faith in Jesus Christ. The New Testament does not record a single instance of an infant being baptized. Baptism is consistently linked to belief and repentance (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36-38; Acts 16:31-33).

The doctrine that infants are not in need of baptism resolves several theological dilemmas that have troubled Christian thinkers for centuries. If baptism is required for salvation and infants are incapable of choosing baptism, then the fate of unbaptized infants becomes a serious concern. Some traditions developed the idea of limbo—a place where unbaptized infants would exist, separate from the presence of God but without suffering. Others suggested that God might have a way to extend grace to them, though they lacked doctrinal certainty. The rejection of infant baptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints eliminates this uncertainty, affirming that all children who die before accountability are saved in the kingdom of God through the Atonement of Christ.

Objections to this doctrine often arise from the belief in original sin—the idea that all people inherit not only the consequences of Adam's transgression but also its guilt. This belief, formalized in the writings of Augustine, was a primary justification for the practice of infant baptism. However, scripture teaches that individuals are accountable only for their own sins, not for Adam’s transgression (Article of Faith 2; Ezekiel 18:20). The Book of Mormon further clarifies that "the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever. Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah" (2 Nephi 2:5-6). This passage underscores that while all suffer the effects of the Fall, redemption through Christ is available to all who exercise agency and choose to follow Him.

The rejection of infant baptism carries profound theological and spiritual benefits. It upholds the doctrine that God is just and merciful, ensuring that no innocent child is ever excluded from His kingdom. It reinforces the importance of agency, teaching that baptism is a sacred covenant that must be entered into with knowledge and intent. It provides comfort and certainty to grieving parents, affirming without ambiguity that their deceased children are saved in Christ. This perspective stands in contrast to the uncertainty and doctrinal inconsistency found in traditions that struggle to reconcile infant baptism with the justice and mercy of God.

The understanding that children are innocent before God until they reach an age of accountability is a unique and precious doctrine. It reflects a divine plan that is both just and merciful, allowing each individual the opportunity to consciously choose discipleship. It removes fear and doubt regarding the fate of those who die before baptism, replacing them with a firm assurance of Christ’s infinite love. This doctrine, restored through modern revelation, is a gift that clarifies the nature of God's grace, the power of the Atonement, and the role of agency in the salvation of humankind.