Baptism of children whilst being divorced

[sleepless3977]

howdy all.... this has been playing on my mind for a bit. My son had recently turned 7 and coming up to the age of baptism. He's a great kid, and he and his sister go to church with me 2 out of ever 3 Sundays. (so they spend the majority of their Gospel experience with me in my ward although they live with their mother during the week)

Seems pretty straight forward, however my son has a learning disability and is a bit slower to comprehend things. I've been reading to the kids when i have them, out of the Book of Mormon stories book and been trying to talk to my son about and encouraging him regarding baptism as often as possible. I asked his mother, when she picked them up today, what, if anything, she has been doing to encourage him. She was like " we will see, he's not as into it as much as his sister".

She's remarried and i'm not entirely sure if she is active anymore. She has stopped wearing her temple garments. I'm just wondering how i can help my son make the right choices and want to be baptized given his disability and possibly some opposition from his mother. I don't want to be held accountable for not teaching him the truth and doing whats right but more so i want him to have the full blessings of the Gospel. So any advice would be greatly appreciated from anyone who has experienced something similar.

[skippy740]

I would counsel with your Bishop - particularly if your son lives outside the ward boundaries.

[viannqueen3]

I think you just need to continue being a good example and teaching at his own pace. You really shouldn't convince him that there is a "right" and "wrong" choice... just be an example and let him make his own choice when he is ready. Anything less just comes across as coercive. I know there is a lot of pressure within the church to have children baptized right at age 8. Considering he has some learning issues it may take him more time.

[Guest]

My son does not have a learning disability. But even so, I taught him that you get baptized when you gain a testimony of the truth of the gospel. If he doesn't gain that testimony at age 8, he doesn't have to be baptized then.

So, all I did was help him gain a testimony. I didn't encourage baptism one way or the other... just told him to let me know when he's ready. He got baptized right on his birthday. His choice.

[Canuck Mormon]

From my own experience, you will need your ex-wife's permission for him to be baptised. If she does not give consent, he will have to wait until she does, or he turns 18. My son wanted to baptised at the age of 8, but his mother talked him out of it and refused to allow it. Now he attends, but I'm not sure he believes.