The washing of little children was a false doctrine instituted in the days of Abraham and refuted by the Lord in a revelation (JST Genesis 17:3-6.) The Lord on this same occasion made the covenant with Abraham that every male child should be circumcised when eight days old. (Genesis 17:9-12) The circumcision being performed at eight days was symbolic of the child becoming accountable at eight years. (JST Genesis 17:11-12; see also D&C 68:25-27.) [Monte S. Nyman, “Hope, Faith and Charity,” in Studies in Scripture: Book of Mormon, Part 2, p. 302]