Another deep Question....

[mominzion]

Can children under the age of accountability be possessed by evil spirits? Does anyone have any literature on this they can share? This was also another topic of conversation last sunday, and I was under the assumption that they were protected? I was told they were allowed to be possessed, but were not responsible for their actions. What is the correct answer here?

[Dr T]

I don't remember any examples of children being being possessed. Hmmmm, that's a good question. I want to say "No, children are not" but I don't know-I have no good reason to hold that position and something I'd have to think more on. Sorry

[Misshalfway]

I read something about this in the NT last night.

I will post what I read.

MATT 17:14-18

"And when they were come to the multitude, there came a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is a lunatick, and sore vexed; for oft times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

And I brought hi to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

Then Jesus answered and said O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither.

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour."

I don't know how old the child was. I am guessing that the children under the age of accountability are protected but I don't know what would confirm that belief.

[Dr T]

I always thought he was an adult for some reason. Yes he was the son but I thought he was a grown up

[Hemidakota]

Can children under the age of accountability be possessed by evil spirits? Does anyone have any literature on this they can share? This was also another topic of conversation last sunday, and I was under the assumption that they were protected? I was told they were allowed to be possessed, but were not responsible for their actions. What is the correct answer here?

Doctrine and Covenants 29:46–47 proclaims: “Little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten; Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me.” [D&C 29:46–47] In other words, children, prior to the age of accountability, despite the occasional acting out of undesirable influences in unapproved ways, are nevertheless naturally good.

[Dr T]

Hemi, what? So you believe children cannot sin? Do you know any children?

[Guest ceeboo]

Can children under the age of accountability be possessed by evil spirits? Does anyone have any literature on this they can share? This was also another topic of conversation last sunday, and I was under the assumption that they were protected? I was told they were allowed to be possessed, but were not responsible for their actions. What is the correct answer here?

Hi morminzion,

Not sure if you were looking for the LDS teaching on this, or just general perspectives.

I am Catholic, the short answer to your question ( Can Children under the age of accountability be possessed by evil spirits ) is absolutly YES and DOES happen.

I have a friend ( Catholic Priest ) who was trained/ taught by the Vatican to perform these exorcisms ( sp. sorry ) and has experienced several of them in person.

The process, although very little media coverage for obvious reasons ) is very common and indeed very real and scary. Nothing to take lightly IMHO. Interesting to me, my friend suggests that there is a real shortage of US Preists that are available/trained to do these.

At any rate, I thought I would share with you.:)

God bless,

Carl

[Hemidakota]

Hemi, what? So you believe children cannot sin? Do you know any children?

I hope so...how many children do you have again?

I am not here to argue on whether what the Savior stated is correct but that it is His council to the church leaders. Reread the quote....

[Dr T]

Thanks I do not want to argue either but ask that you understand that's what you think the Savior stated in that reference and then there's the reality of sinfulness spoken about also.

[MarginOfError]

I don't know that any of us currently involved are going to question the doctrine that children cannot sin before reaching accountability. But the quoted scripture does not answer the question regarding whether or not children may be possessed by an evil spirit. By the way, I don't claim to know the answer, and just hope that I'll be in touch enough to recognize an evil spirit should I encounter one, whether it possess a child or an adult. Let's just hope it never happens though.

[Hemidakota]

Hi morminzion,

Not sure if you were looking for the LDS teaching on this, or just general perspectives.

I am Catholic, the short answer to your question ( Can Children under the age of accountability be possessed by evil spirits ) is absolutly YES and DOES happen.

I have a friend ( Catholic Priest ) who was trained/ taught by the Vatican to perform these exorcisms ( sp. sorry ) and has experienced several of them in person.

The process, although very little media coverage for obvious reasons ) is very common and indeed very real and scary. Nothing to take lightly IMHO. Interesting to me, my friend suggests that there is a real shortage of US Preists that are available/trained to do these.

At any rate, I thought I would share with you.:)

God bless,

Carl

Carl, ask yourself, whose authority are they are trying to cast out evil spirits? Do you remember the story in the New Testament when a so called priestcraft holder tries to cast out evil spirit and what was the outcome? Then I have to ask, how many of those priests met Lucifer face-to-face?

However, I would caution anyone who is does not have that authority and faith, to not practice Exorcism.

[Measure]

So, how can you tell if a child, above or below the age of accountability, is possessed by evil spirits?

Who can make the diagnosis?

What is the correct treatment for the condition?

Does that treatment need to be applied once or multiple times?

Just asking because I've been in the church most of my life and I've never run into a possessed-by-evil-spirits situation.

Edited October 16, 2008 by Measure

[Hemidakota]

Thanks I do not want to argue either but ask that you understand that's what you think the Savior stated in that reference and then there's the reality of sinfulness spoken about also.

Having eight children and council thousands in my lifetime, I am aware what children are capable of in this mortality.

Dr. T. what happens to your child if it dies at the age of seven? Curious...

[Guest ceeboo]

Carl, ask yourself, whose authority are they are trying to cast out evil spirits? Do you remember the story in the New Testament when a so called priestcraft holder tries to cast out evil spirit and what was the outcome? Then I have to ask, how many of those priests met Lucifer face-to-face?

However, I would caution anyone who is does not have that authority and faith, to not practice Exorcism.

Hello my favorite cousin Hemi :)

Not sure if I want to get in a debate with you about who has " Priestly authority " I think that has been hammered enough. I also am VERY confident ( after several posts back and forth ) we will end up agreeing to disagree.

Having said that my friend, I will stand on the fact the YES indeed there have been " evil spirits " dwelling in our young. I will also suggest that many have been removed by Priest' that you feel have no authority.

At any rate, it is not about your cautions to those who may intercede, it is about the reality that there are indeed " evil spirits " in ALL walks of life, including but not limited to our young.:)

Peace,

Carl

[Measure]

Having eight children and council thousands in my lifetime, I am aware what children are capable of in this mortality.

Dr. T. what happens to your child if it dies at the age of seven? Curious...

Straight to the CK! But now I'm wondering, what happens if your child is possessed by evil spirits AND dies at the age of seven?

[Hemidakota]

First, I have yet to encountered any child of that age being possessed. Have you? The child is redeemed as the GOD mentioned in the D&C.

Now, are you a member of the LDS Church?

I do see you, you are new to this forum. Wlecome.

[HiJolly]

Hello my favorite cousin Hemi :)

Not sure if I want to get in a debate with you about who has " Priestly authority " I think that has been hammered enough. I also am VERY confident ( after several posts back and forth ) we will end up agreeing to disagree.

Having said that my friend, I will stand on the fact the YES indeed there have been " evil spirits " dwelling in our young. I will also suggest that many have been removed by Priest' that you feel have no authority.

At any rate, it is not about your cautions to those who may intercede, it is about the reality that there are indeed " evil spirits " in ALL walks of life, including but not limited to our young.:)

Peace,

Carl

I've gotta agree with ceeboo on this one. Possession can occur at any age. The scriptures on accountability do not affect this. All my opinion, of course...

As for authority, it is given by the Father as He will.

HiJolly

Edited October 16, 2008 by HiJolly

[Measure]

I have never encountered a child I considered possessed by evil spirits, which is the purpose of the post.

Yes, I am a member of the LDS church, although, I no longer believe. I hope that I am not being disrespectful by participating on this forum.

[Guest tomk]

Can children under the age of accountability be possessed by evil spirits? Does anyone have any literature on this they can share? This was also another topic of conversation last sunday, and I was under the assumption that they were protected? I was told they were allowed to be possessed, but were not responsible for their actions. What is the correct answer here?

Of one thing I have no doubt - these things are in the Lord's capable hands.

We are watched-over and protected at ALL ages of our life, whether embryo, toddler, teenager, or adult. Sometimes we "suffer" because of OUR choices. Sometime we suffer in order to learn something we can learn in no other way. Sometimes we suffer because -- life sucks. But all in all -- God is in charge. But one thing He will not do is violate our agency. He will not force us to love Him, nor can He.

Those who are not accountable ... are not accountable!!! Generally this happens around age 8.

I don't think any 8 year olds are able to understand possession -- or seek it out. So I would say -- if something like this happened, it would not be the child's fault. I would think that a simple priesthood blessing, with faith in Christ, would be sufficient to rebuke the evil spirit.

14 ¶ And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

[Hemidakota]

Hello my favorite cousin Hemi :)

Not sure if I want to get in a debate with you about who has " Priestly authority " I think that has been hammered enough. I also am VERY confident ( after several posts back and forth ) we will end up agreeing to disagree.

Having said that my friend, I will stand on the fact the YES indeed there have been " evil spirits " dwelling in our young. I will also suggest that many have been removed by Priest' that you feel have no authority.

At any rate, it is not about your cautions to those who may intercede, it is about the reality that there are indeed " evil spirits " in ALL walks of life, including but not limited to our young.:)

Peace,

Carl

The key here Carl is the level of 'FAITH' exhibited during that exorcism. Yes! It is possible to exercise weaker spirits from a person or location. No argument here. But, when we encounter the hard core evil spirits of caliber equaling to Lucifer, the paradigm changes. It is not that simple and it does require exceeding faith, along with the appropriate priesthood authority. As I stated before, go back to the scriptures to see what will befall them when we encountered such spirits.

Carl, there are two types of spirits that could be called evil, those who unrepented mortals and those who were casted out. There is a significant different when we encountered one or the other. That I can attest too.

[HiJolly]

The key here Carl is the level of 'FAITH' exhibited during that exorcism. Yes! It is possible to exercise weaker spirits from a person or location. No argument here. But, when we encounter the hard core evil spirits of caliber equaling to Lucifer, the paradigm changes. It is not that simple and it does require exceeding faith, along with the appropriate priesthood authority. As I stated before, go back to the scriptures to see what will befall them when we encountered such spirits.

Carl, there are two types of spirits that could be called evil, those who unrepented mortals and those who were casted out. There is a significant different when we encountered one or the other. That I can attest too.

Good thoughts, Hemi. I agree.

Who's got your back? ---that's the question.

HiJolly

[Vanilla]

I have never encountered a child I considered possessed by evil spirits, which is the purpose of the post.

Yes, I am a member of the LDS church, although, I no longer believe. I hope that I am not being disrespectful by participating on this forum.

All are welcome at this site as long as you follow the rules you agreed to when you signed up for an account!

Welcome! :)

[Guest ceeboo]

The key here Carl is the level of 'FAITH' exhibited during that exorcism. Yes! It is possible to exercise weaker spirits from a person or location. No argument here. But, when we encounter the hard core evil spirits of caliber equaling to Lucifer, the paradigm changes. It is not that simple and it does require exceeding faith, along with the appropriate priesthood authority. As I stated before, go back to the scriptures to see what will befall them when we encountered such spirits.

Hemi,

Are you flipping, straying, or simply talking over my head AGAIN :lol:

The OP asked if " young can have evil spirits " I said absolutly they can and there are several historical cases of this tragic and scary reality.

You semed to imply that " No they can not have evil spirits "

I am not sure what this post now means???

At any rate, you know I do LOVE you Hemi, you are indeed one of my FAVORITE LDS friends.:):)

Peace,

Carl

[MarginOfError]

Wow, so many things just got thrown out to discuss there. I'm getting a little dizzy.

Accountability: The accepted age of accountability in the Church is 8. Actually, it was revealed in the Doctrine and Covenants (don't have time to get the exact location), but I hesitate to say "revealed age of accountability" because that makes it sound like a discrete moment. I get the feeling, however, that it's more fluid a transition than, 'you're 8, now you're accountable.' The statistician in me prefers to view it as 8 is the average and there's a margin of error around the average. Tom has it right here, God understands these things and will account for them, so we really don't need to worry about it much.

So, can a 7 year old sin? Only Christ can decide that, and it's likely tailored to the individual 7 year old.

As for possession, I don't believe that any person whose body is possessed will be accountable for the actions of that body during the time of possession. If the individual does things that invite the possession, he or she will be accountable for those actions, but not for the actions during the possession. To be clear, this is my opinion, I have nothing from the Church to back it up, and if someone can show me I'm wrong, I'll happily accept that.

[Guest ceeboo]

I've gotta agree with ceeboo on this one. Possession can occur at any age. The scriptures on accountability do not affect this. All my opinion, of course...

HiJolly

Hi HiJolly,

does anyone know how to " cut, paste and enlarge" this quote?:)

I would like to make it " full color " " poster size " and frame it for my kitchen.:):):):)