What is the age of accountability for children and who came up with the number?

Answer 1

There is no set in stone age. The time comes when you realize what you are about to do (lying, stealing, etc) is wrong and yet you choose to do it anyway.

Answer 2

I seem to remember the age of accountability being age 8. As a parent, that seems to be about right as they usually do know and understand the basics of right and wrong and seek to shield themselves from consequences when they have done wrong. Basically, they have learned the art of the lie by that age and understand cause and effect.

Answer 3

I think it varies for different kids. As another has said, if they look around to see if anyone saw what they did, they hold at least some accountability. I think full accountability comes later though, sometime between 10 and 15 years old.

Answer 4

The age of accountability is age 8. The number was revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith in November 1831. (Doctrine and Covenants 68:27)

For those who do not believe he was a prophet I have this to say. There are those who didn't believe Noah was a prophet. They mocked and scorned. But when the people finally got the proof they sought, it was too late.

Answer 5

I don't think there really is one, but a lot of Christians go by the story about Jesus being in the temple when he was 12....teaching and learning with the other religious leaders.

Jews, I believe go by the whole age 13 bar mitzvah thing

Answer 6

it varies by country and in the US even by state....

i go with the example in the bible, Jesus was "about his fathers business" at the age of about 12...accountability...

Answer 7

if they do something and then look around to see who saw it....

Accountable

Answer 8

i think i remember hearing it is twelve.