Dear Gramps,

I know a number of members who have attended ‘Christenings’ at the request of friends or family. I have always turned down such invitations as I always think of the statement by Mormon that infant baptism is an abomination in the sight of God. Am I right to see it in this way? When turning down the invites I always try to explain about the innocence of little children and there being no need for their being baptized. Many thanks,

David Rawson.

Dear David,

Perhaps you might also turn down any invitations to attend Christmas parties with your friends, since you would know that the Savior was born on April 6, rather than on the date of the pagan holiday that was designed to celebrate the winter solstice. I also wonder how kindly your admonitions about the fallacy of infant baptism were taken by those who were baptizing their children. There is an Article of Faith that says that

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

People generally resent being told that they are wrong in their beliefs. Successful missionary work is always found among those who are interested in the gospel, or who have some concerns that lead them to ask questions about your beliefs or resolve doubts about their own beliefs. Such questions are commonly asked of friends or others in whom the inquisitive person has confidence.

So, if you are trying to teach the gospel by your example of righteous living and your instructions concerning baptism, I would suggest that you would be much more successful if first you demonstrated to your friends that you respected their beliefs. If they felt that you loved and respected them in spite of the difference in your religious views, they would have much more confidence to seek your opinion on matters that would be of concern to them.

Gramps