Baptism of 8 year old who is not on record

[wademitchell]

We have an 8-year-old getting baptized this week. The mother returned to church about a year ago, and her daughter, who is now 8, was not blessed or on the records. The child of record form is only for children 7 and under. Should this be a convert baptism done by the missionaries or done through the ward? We were all planning on doing it at the Ward level, and the missionaries were instructed to do it that way since she's eight and not 9, but I don't think it will allow me to record the ordinance.

[lajackson]

We were all planning on doing it at the Ward level, and the missionaries were instructed to do it that way since she's eight and not 9, but I don't think it will allow me to record the ordinance.

According to General Handbook 18.7.1, the bishop holds the priesthood keys for baptizing 8-year-olds. You will be able to record the ordinance, as long as it is performed before the child turns 9. At that point, the ordinance becomes a convert baptism.

[wademitchell]

The bishop holds the priesthood keys for baptizing 8-year-old members of record in a ward. But this 8-year-old is not a member of record.

I'm not able to record the baptism of a person who does not already have a membership record.

To create a membership record, I have three forms available:
Blank Create Record Form (seven or younger) - The child is 8
Blank Create Record Form (eight or older with spouse or children) - Convert form/Child has no spouse or child
Blank Create Record Form (eight or older without spouse or children) - Convert form

[jdlessley]

I'm not able to record the baptism of a person who does not already have a membership record.

A record for children age 8 who are not members of record but have a member parent or guardian is created on the LCR > Membership > Create Record page. Use the blank form found on that page at the bottom titled "Blank Create Record Form (eight or older without spouse or children)". It will say it is for converts but is the form used in this situation because no record for the child exists. You can also partially complete the form by entering in the data on the page through birth location and then print the form. A parent or guardian must sign the form at the bottom. With the baptism form completed and an electronic copy created, return to the LCR > Membership > Create Record page and enter the data and upload the form.

The ward has the ability to create convert baptism records for those 9 and older. While it is the responsibility of the mission to teach, determine worthiness, and baptize converts, the record can be created either by the mission office/missionaries or the ward/branch. The ward/branch must complete a new record in LCR when the mission office/missionaries start the record creation process for converts.

[wademitchell]

Thanks, everyone!

[watson72]

In our case the 8 year old child and the mother are both going to be baptized. Is it possible to have the missionaries record the mothers baptism and then a record will exist to enter the 8 year olds baptism in the ward by the ward clerk?

[russellhltn]

I'd have to look at the Handbook, but if neither parent is a member and there's no Child of Record for the child, I'd think it would be considered as a convert baptism.