The baptism of Jesus

[Blackmarch]

to the OP i'm not sure if it has always been age 8. The law of moses had it's own rites that were to prepare the israelites for the greater law, under which we currently operate.

[MarginOfError]

A few notes:

There is no verifiable evidence that I'm aware of that indicates baptism as we know it to ever have been practiced prior to the rise of Christianity.

JST is not a historical document, and many of the stories of the early dispensation are so allegorical that it may be folly to try and apply modern dispensation ideas into fixed historical events.

Among the Jews, age 30 was the accepted age at which a man could become a teacher in his community. it was at age 30 that John began his ministry, and age 30 that Jesup began his. Jesus was baptized at age 30 precisely because that's when he began teaching the importance of repentance . 

The age of 8 is arbitrary. there is nothing eternally significant about it. it is subject to change just as the ages at which boys/men may be ordained to priesthood offices is subject to change.

[Blackmarch]

On 10/6/2016 at 10:41 AM, Larry Cotrell said:

Jesus did not have to be baptized, because He never sinned. (Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.)

Jesus was baptized to set an example for us, so it didn't matter when He did it.

This^