Explaining Baptism to a Preschooler? Advice.

[trophywife26.2]

We are going to a niece's baptism in a few weeks. It's going to be weird since we haven't attended LDS church or activities for almost 2 years. (TIME FLIES!) I can deal with a little awkwardness though to support my niece. I try to think about it the same way as I would if the parents invited me to a catholic baptism or a Bat Mitzfah: not my religion, but I support my niece in all she does.

So, we have decided we are taking our kids with us. One problem is that my preschooler is very inquisitive and I don't want him to ask lots of questions at the baptism because I don't want grandma (UBER TBM) to take advantage of such an opportunity to "plant seeds" and make things uncomfortable. I want my son to have an understanding of baptism before we go so he doesn't ask any questions. I'm not sure how to explain it though. He has been asking lots of questions about death lately. He knows grandma believes we go to a place called heaven. We talked about reincarnation after watching Moana and how some people believe that. I told him there just really is no way of knowing what happens when we die unless we die, but that won't happen for a long time. We talked about numbers and how many years people usually live. He sometimes says things like: "I want to be alive." "I want you to be alive" etc. This topic of death has come up a lot lately and seems to be on his mind. Our last conversation he decided he was going to be reincarnated as a car because he loves cars. I talked to him about how we don't have to know the answers to everything, but it's fun to wonder about what we would like to have happen. Then he told me he doesn't need to wonder he knows he'll become a car when he dies.

If I explain it saying something about people thinking this is something to do (get baptized) to get into heaven, I feel like that's a red flag for me, I don't want to say that.

I don't want to explain it in a derogatory way though, like, "These people think if they get put into water and say certain words they go to heaven, how silly!" Because I don't want my child to be an arrogant know it all, BUT I do feel like I don't want to give it extreme reverence and have him take it very seriously and become concerned about it since he is concerned about death right now.

I feel like a good explanation might be talking about it not in terms of death, but in terms of joining a club or group. They are making a commitment to be part of the group and go to the church, follow the church's rules, pay them money, etc.

I know the speakers will probably bring up death/heaven though?

I'm mostly just writing out my thoughts, but if you have some feedback for me, I'd appreciate it.

[MerrieMiss]

I feel like a good explanation might be talking about it not in terms of death, but in terms of joining a club or group. They are making a commitment to be part of the group and go to the church, follow the church's rules, pay them money, etc.

I know the speakers will probably bring up death/heaven though?

I think explaining it as a way people show their devotion to the church/Jesus/the club etc. is perfectly reasonable and accurate. I can't remember any talks being about death, but it's possible I'm not listening. As I recall, talks are usually about sinning and repentance. And having the Holy Ghost to tell you when to keep out of trouble. One talk I heard last year the speaker gave the kids little stuffed Jiminy Crickets to remember to listen to their conscience - it's probably the only talk I'll ever remember.

[trophywife26.2]

Just an update, we had one chat about it so far and he was a bit bewildered she will be going in the water in clothes and seems to think it's scary that someone else will dunk her in the water. So I think I feel pretty good about how he feels because his attitude seems to be: this is a little weird, but different families do different things. And that's kind of where I want him to be with it.

[Newme]

He may be a bit young to understand but if he asks or if you feel the need, you could explain how some people really love (practically worship) writings of other people (scriptures). Some scriptures talk about being born physically & spiritually. It says that all must be born of water, so they think they have to get baptized, but all were already born of water at physical birth. Even though some misinterpret it & keep a tradition of getting baptized, it's kindof a way for them to say they like that church and for others to come and show their love to them.