I have heard some argue that baptism is a necessary prerequisite for the remission of sins, while others argue that remission of sins is a prerequisite for baptism. On the one side implying that forgiveness happens at baptism, on the other hand implying that no real forgiveness actually happens at baptism, but only a kind of formal symbolism for something already happened. For the sake of clarity, please specify any differences between what happens at a baptism for an 8-year-old, and a baptism that happens for a convert.

Since this is really a matter of doctrine, and not opinion, this is a good starting place: lds.org

A quote I like from that, is: "to receive a remission of your sins, you must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, be sincerely repentant, and strive always to keep the commandments."

That quote doesn't include baptism, because it's the process of repenting, and the holy ghost that sanctifies and makes clean.

Honestly, Aaron, a lot of this is difficult for me to understand, as well. But my experience has been, and from what little I know, that even baptism is a process (not just a single event). For both the convert, and the 8 year old, baptism is a commitment/covenant and part of the process of receiving remission of sins.

Well as a convert, my baptism happened later in life when I was in my late teens. I imagine my discussions were shaped a little differently due to my age and my knowledge of the Bible. The baptism process itself was different because I was confirmed the morning after my baptism instead of immediately after as I've seen done with the 8 year old children.

But I believe that the concept is still the same. We all have to have faith in Christ and the atonement, repent of sins and endure. We make the same covenants and we are all reborn. The difference is just the process.

Sorry, Kristyn, I honestly don't see how that answers the question? I appreciate the response, though.