@TapDancingPolarBear - I was talking about the JW letter stating that, not the Mormon theology. I didn't see the letter, it's just that this person was upset.
JWs are essentially Christian in a lose definition as they believe in the bible and claim to follow Jesus. Most Christian denominations believe the bible is literal. So stories such as Noah's ark where God killed every man, woman and child other than 8 other individuals suggests he does kill children because of their wickedness. God also orders the killing of the Amalekites which include children and babies. So I assume that's where it comes from and while the old law was replaced by the new law of the new testimony it's still pretty harsh reading (as it most of the Old Testament).
Yes, I agree Mormons believe in innocence before the age of 8. And children who die before this age are deemed to be exhaulted, Mormons theorise that parents can raise their children after they die although that's not doctrine, it's based off one comment JS said about the death of one of his children. It's a lovely thought though and I'm sure brings hope to many. It takes some of the string of death away and is a beautiful teaching.
Mormons teach families can be together forever, although the reality is they actually teach family MIGHT be together forever if you get baptised, receive the Holy Ghost, obey the rules including chastity, no alcohol, so coffee, no tea, no smoking, paying 10% of your income to the church, obedience to authority, etc so that you can be deemed worthy to get a temple recommend and go to the temple to receive initiatory, temple endowments and sealing only to another worthy opposite sex partner.
Then Mormons have to continue to live worthy and wear your garments night and day and endure to the end. If you do that, and everyone else in your family does then you can be together forever but if you don't or someone else doesn't then you or they will be downgraded to a lower degree of glory and the worthy individuals will be married to other worthy people, often in polygamous celestial marriages.
So it's sounds nice on the surface but the reality is less families can be together because that relies on others following the principles, even if you yourself are deemed "worthy". The sealing ordinance is only "active" if everyone does their part. Of course if a child is born in the covenant to worthy parents then that works out, but if you have a wayward child then that all breaks down.
If religion brings peace and happiness then that's great, but I don't like the idea of it causing fear and worry to people in letters, it's very personal these days to receive a letter. Like my friend, you don't know that person or their story and now those words will affect them.