I'm pissed off just thinking about this. My baby will get a "blessing" and will then be counted as a member of the lds church. They will have his/her date of birth name, contact info (well mine) etc forever now. Such BS. The lds church counts babies as members....what a joke.

It's your option not to. If it rubs you as inherently wrong to do it, then don't.

It is called a name and a blessing not so much for membership, as a ritual for the parents. The real membership comes at age 8 when your baby becomes baptized, and then gets confirmed.

They are still a "child of record" and are hunted down around age 8 for baptism.

I think they stay on the books until age 18.

If the parents are gay, this now becomes a moot point. :)

Amyjo

I disagree. Upon blessing the child becomes a person of record.
FOR-EVER

The name and blessing though does not make an infant a member of the COJCOLDS. That only happens upon confirmation at (or after,) the age of accountability, which is still 8 years old.

"Confirmation

A person receives the ordinance of confirmation after he or she has been baptized (see D&C 20:41). Under the direction of the bishopric or branch presidency, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders may participate in this ordinance. They place their hands lightly on the person’s head. Then the person who performs the ordinance:

1. States the person’s full name.
2. States that the ordinance is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. Confirms the person a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
4. Bestows the gift of the Holy Ghost by saying, “Receive the Holy Ghost.”
5. Gives a priesthood blessing as the Spirit directs.
6. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ."

Compare to name and blessing, which is just that: giving a name and a blessing to a newborn infant:

"When blessing a baby, brethren gather in a circle and place their hands under the baby. When blessing an older child, brethren place their hands lightly on the child’s head. The person who gives the blessing:

1. Addresses Heavenly Father.
2. States that the blessing is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. Gives the child a name.
4. Gives a priesthood blessing as the Spirit directs.
5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ."

Nothing about the naming and blessing denotes 'membership.' They're only on the rolls because their parents put them there, but not as 'members' before the baptismal day and confirmation.

https://www.lds.org/manual/duties-and-blessings-of-the-priesthood-basic-manual-for-priesthood-holders-part-b/priesthood-and-church-government/lesson-5-performing-priesthood-ordinances?lang=eng

If she is not baptized by age 9, her name is dropped off the church rolls.

Blessing is not a saving ordinance. It is not required in any way. If your spouse knows that and that the name is removed from the church rolls unless she is baptized, why does she want to do the blessing?

My youngest did not have a baby blessing and we never provided any information but he is on the church rolls as they sent him a birthday card this year. We have never set foot in the ward.

Tell them your gay. End of problem.