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I found one other quote on this topic I thought I would share. Worshiping at Sacrament Meeting - Ensign Aug. 2004 - ensign Worshiping at Sacrament Meeting BY ELDER RUSSELL M. NELSON Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Adapted from an address given at a worldwide leadership training meeting on 21 June 2003.Sacrament meetings can be planned and conducted to help us remember the Lord and His Atonement. August 2004 Little children, as sinless beneficiaries of the Lord’s Atonement, may partake of the sacrament as they prepare for covenants that they will make later in life.

When you say "I am not sure why we discuss some things." I'm not clear about what you mean. Since prior to the age of accountability it would be impossible for a child to partake of the sacrament unworthily, and according to President Brigham Young children are "entitled" to the sacrament, I am a bit confused by your comments about good and evil desires as the topic has been about children and the sacrament. Are you referring to young children or accountable souls?

Anatess, I deserved that :-) In my defence, I have been in a bit of a battle with another individual over this matter and so defending my position has become a bit of a habit as of late. That and the recent lack of sleep had me misreading skalenfehl's post. I have seen on more than one occasion misinterpreted information growing to surreal levels and have witnessed the fall of more than one once strong member of the church. The trip to left field starts with a single step and it amazes me sometimes how willing some people are to question and twist doctrine to fit their own personal interpretation of things. Having recently witnessed this occur in two friends' families I was over sensitive to what was being discussed here. (There has been a recent rash of left field thinking among some members with young children formerly from my area. They have "thoughtfully" spread some of their backwards thinking around.) I will attempt to be more mindful of that personal sensitivity in the future and attempt to keep it in check.

Ok. so I have spent how much time today with my foot in my mouth? Sorry! Good grief!

Yup she did. I have revised my post. I missread her post initially. Sorry about that, running on very little sleep the last few days. I shouldn't post when I'm firing on so few cylinders. Please remove the quote of my foolishness, I am embarassed about my unecessary rant.

Not only is it not a mockery for children to partake of the sacrament, according to President Brigham Young they are "entitled". It isn't just a matter of there being no condemnation, they are entitled. That leaves me with a question of the seriousness of the act of denying them something they are "entitled" to.

I found more direct statements from the brethren on the topic of children and the sacrament. There can be no question as to where the brethren stand on the issue of children younger than eight years of age and partaking of the sacrament. Further information: President Brigham Young "Children who are capable of repentance should be baptized when they reach the proper age, according to the revelations. Up to that age they are entitled to the sacrament." (Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.2, p.289) President Joseph Fielding Smith "There is no reason why any member of the Church should be concerned over the fact that little children may partake of the sacrament. The most important thing is to be sure that we who are grown to full maturity keep ourselves worthy of this sacred ordinance. (Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol.2, p.90) CHILDREN TO PARTAKE OF SACRAMENT. All little children virtually belong to the Church until they are eight years of age. Should they die before that age, they would enter the celestial kingdom. The Savior said, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." Then why should they be deprived of the sacrament? (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol.2, p.350)

I realize this is a bit older thread but this question seems to arise on a semi regular basis so likely this thread will be read by someone with similar questions. First off, if there were an issue with young children partaking of the sacrament you can be sure the brethren would address the issue and make sure members of the church clearly understand what is appropriate. So one's first clue that this is not a problem is the lack of such an address. It has become increasingly concerning to me how some members of the church look for issues where there are none. While I do understand a desire to be sure to be walking on the correct side of the line, so to speak, there does seem to be a need by some to constantly question and require direct confirmation on just about every possible topic. We need to keep in mind and be warey of the fact that there is a scripture about needing to be commanded in all things. The brethren really shouldn't have to repeat and repeat the same information and do so over the pulpit at General Conference in order for members to understand what the Lord desires of us. It also depends upon one's heart as to the intent in knowing more. Are we looking to truly better understand doctrine or looking for arguements and trying to stir up issues that really aren't issues at all? While I can understand a desire for more information than simply what comes from a nursery manual etc. (facts and info have always interested me), proper respect should be given to what is published in the manuals provided by the Church as that information does "constitute doctrine". We have been counselled time and again to adhere closely to what is within the manuals provided by the church. The reason for this is because the information provided within those manuals is approved by the members of the First Presidency and therefore can be considered "doctrine." Mindless traditions with no basis in doctrine are not being promoted within the pages of manuals published by the church. Should there ever be a time when an LDS parent knowingly teaches something to their child or others that is opposite to what is being taught in a manual published by the church? We can know we are on track by weighing things against revealed truths and known doctrine. If we are off track it is up to us to right ourselves not up to the church to get in line with our wrong thinking. It is also extraordinarily dangerous ground to promote wrong thinking. Since more direct information has been requested I should think the following quotes will sufficiently provide the "revealed doctrine" requested. There can be no question as to where the brethren stand on the issue of children younger than eight years of age and partaking of the sacrament. President Young says it about as clearly as can be said. "Up to the age of (8) they are entitled to the sacrament." ENTITLED seems pretty cut and dry and should removes any questions on the matter. President Brigham Young "Children who are capable of repentance should be baptized when they reach the proper age, according to the revelations. Up to that age they are entitled to the sacrament." (Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.2, p.289) President Joseph Fielding Smith "There is no reason why any member of the Church should be concerned over the fact that little children may partake of the sacrament. The most important thing is to be sure that we who are grown to full maturity keep ourselves worthy of this sacred ordinance. (Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol.2, p.90) CHILDREN TO PARTAKE OF SACRAMENT. All little children virtually belong to the Church until they are eight years of age. Should they die before that age, they would enter the celestial kingdom. The Savior said, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." Then why should they be deprived of the sacrament? (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol.2, p.350)

I know this topic is a bit older but hopefully someone will come across it just as I did today. I think those who deny their children participation in taking the sacrament before the age of eight may consider the precarious position getting out on the limbs of the gospel can be. It is so easy for us to consider different concepts in our minds and "logically" come up with different approaches that seem to make sense. We must however be sure to study out what the brethren ie the Church teaches about such matters to be sure we are truly on the right track and not getting out on one of those limbs that are a bit far from the trunk of the gospel. With regard to young children taking the Sacrament, I was searching out information on this very topic today because it is something that has come up with one of our grown children as they teach their own children. While I am sure there are more direct statements made by brethren on the matter, I have not come across them at this time but did come across two Primary lessons. One from the Nursery manual and one from the Sunbeam manual. All manuals in the Church are approved by the First Presidency. Nursery manual Lesson 27: - ...explain in simple terms what happens during the administration of the sacrament -- we listen quietly while the sacrament is belssed; we take one piece of bread; we drink the water and put the cup back in the tray; and we think about Jesus. - In the lesson there is a photo of a young child taking the sacrament. Activity Verse: Quietly I eat the bread And drink the water too. I fold my arms and think of Jesus That's what I should do. - "Who should we think about when we take the sacrament?" This is what is in the lesson for children 18 months up to three years of age. I don't think there is any question as to whether or not the bretheren (the Prophet, who speaks for the Lord), expect young children of the church to be taught and whether they should be participating in taking the sacrament. The Sunbeam manual sacrament lesson is #40. There is also a Family Home Evening Lesson on the topic. LDS.org - Support Materials Chapter - Partaking of the Sacrament From that lesson: "Nothing seems more basic in our worship of the Lord than learning to partake of the sacrament meaningfully. We teach our children to partake before they learn to speak." It is very easy for false notions to take root and turn into much more than ever intended. Small errors can grow and take on a life of their own in short order. All that needs to happen is for someone to agree with a false notion and in turn teach it to their children and the next thing you know it is a false tradition being carried on throughout a whole area. In all matters large and small it is best to stay close to the trunk of the tree of the gospel. My appologies if I have offended anyone. Getting out in left field starts with a single step.