We believe that men will be apunished for their bown sins, and not for Adam’s ctransgression.

19 For the anatural bman is an cenemy to God, and has been from the dfall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he eyields to the enticings of the Holy fSpirit, and gputteth off the hnatural man and becometh a isaint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a jchild, ksubmissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

The LDS faith does not believe in Original Sin. Adam’s sins are Adam’s, Jenna’s sins are Jenna’s, and your sins are yours.

Wikipedia describes Original Sin as thus:

This condition has been characterized in many ways, ranging from something as insignificant as a slight deficiency, or a tendency toward sin yet without collective guilt, referred to as a “sin nature”, to something as drastic as total depravity or automatic guilt by all humans through collective guilt.

In many Christian churches, baptism at infancy is required to negate the effects of Original Sin. St. Augustine taught that unbaptized infants go to hell as a consequence of original sin. This doctrine appalls me. What of my own brother, who lived less than 15 minutes? How can you claim an innocent child who never made a conscious choice (other than to take a few breaths) will be sent to live with the devil? According to that definition of Original Sin he is now residing in a place of endless torment with murderers, liars, thieves, and Hitler. (Remember, I don’t believe in that kind of Hell, but if you believe in Original Sin like that you do).

[Editors Note 5-5-09: Christianity runs across a broad spectrum, and I think I made it clear by including the statement from Wikipedia that there is not one way to define the term Original Sin. I have made one change to the paragraph above, changing "the definition of Original Sin" to "that definition of Original Sin". I'm glad to find out that my belief that the majority of people believe baptism is necessary or hell is imminent for children was a misconception.]

Please tell me how you can believe that my brother is living in hell.

Jesus Christ suffered in Gethsemane, and died on the cross for the sins of all those who have ever lived. He took the responsibility for Adam’s sin, so we don’t have to suffer for them.

And he that saith that little children need baptism denieth the mercies of Christ, and setteth at naught the aatonement of him and the power of his redemption. Moroni 8:20

Through the power of modern revelation we have learned that the choice to be baptized is to be made when each person reaches the age of accountability, or 8 years of age.

But behold, I say unto you, that little achildren are bredeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten;

Wherefore, they cannot asin, for power is not given unto Satan to btempt little children, until they cbegin to become daccountable before me;

This doctrine also applies to those who do not ever have the mental capacity to make the choice to be baptized. God loves his children, whether young or infirm, and sent his Son to enable them to return to live with Him.

Other than Jesus Christ, each person who has ever lived on earth has broken commandments or failed to act according to knowledge of the truth. Beginning at the age of 8 years old, each person must repent for their sins and reconcile themself with God. The Apostle John taught: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, [Jesus Christ] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9). Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, each person can repent and be forgiven.

I am so grateful for this knowledge. I believe that Jesus Christ died and was ressurected so that we might also live once again.

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