How does Jesus feel about little children?
3 Nephi 17:21
“And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.”
Takeaway
3 Nephi 17:21 shows that Jesus feels deep, personal, tender, protective love for little children, and He invites us to see them the way He does—precious, individual, worthy of our tears, our blessing, and our prayers.
What the verse reveals about His heart...
1. “He wept”
His love is not distant; it is emotional, vulnerable, and moved by innocence
Jesus does not simply acknowledge children—He weeps over them. His tears show us that:
- His compassion is not theoretical; it is embodied.
- Their purity touches Him in ways that move heaven.
- Our treatment of children matters deeply to Him.
When we see Him weep, we learn that He feels their worth more intensely than we do. His tears teach us that children are not small to God—they are sacred.
Supporting Scripture:
John 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
This is the shortest verse in scripture, yet one of the most revealing. It shows us that Jesus’ tears are never random—they are relational. He weeps when love meets suffering, innocence, or vulnerability. His tears in 3 Nephi 17 and His tears in John 11 come from the same divine heart.
Why this matters
Jesus’ tears reveal what moves Him—and therefore what must move us. When He weeps:
- He is showing us what heaven values.
- He is revealing the emotional truth of God’s nature.
- He is teaching us that love is not sterile; it is felt, expressed, and embodied.
If Jesus weeps over children, then we cannot treat children casually, hurriedly, or dismissively. His tears call us to slow down, soften, and see children with spiritual eyes.
Principle
Because Jesus weeps over the innocent, we must honor children with the same tenderness—seeing their worth, protecting their purity, and letting our hearts be moved as His is moved.
Application (for us, our families, our ministry)
- We let His tears shape our priorities — if something makes Jesus weep, it must matter to us.
- We slow down and notice children individually — their needs, fears, joys, and gifts.
- We protect their innocence — guarding their hearts from harm, confusion, and neglect.
- We cultivate tenderness — refusing to become hardened, hurried, or emotionally distant.
- We let children teach us — their purity often reveals truths we have forgotten.
When we allow His tears to become our own, we begin to love children the way heaven loves them.
The Spiritual Principle of Sincerity — “He wept”
Jesus’ tears in 3 Nephi 17:21 reveal a heart that is utterly sincere—no guile, no performance, no distance. To deepen this section, we anchor sincerity with four witnesses across scripture.
Scriptures Taken From the Topical Guide List — Sincere, Sincerity
Old Testament — Joshua 24:14
“Fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity…”
This shows that sincerity is the foundation of true worship—God receives what is real, not what is rehearsed.
New Testament — 2 Corinthians 1:12
“…in simplicity and godly sincerity…”
Paul teaches that sincerity is the evidence of a clean conscience and the mark of Christlike ministry.
Book of Mormon — Moroni 10:4
“…ask with a sincere heart, with real intent…”
Sincerity is the gateway to revelation—God answers the honest seeker.
Doctrine & Covenants — D&C 5:24
“…humble himself… in the sincerity of his heart.”
Sincerity is inseparable from humility, the posture that opens us to divine transformation.
“He wept” in Sincerity
Jesus’ tears are the purest expression of sincerity. He does not weep to be seen. He weeps because His heart is true.
These four scriptures show us that:
- Sincerity is the soil of real discipleship
- Sincerity is the condition of revelation
- Sincerity is the heart of Christlike ministry
- Sincerity is the posture heaven responds to
When Jesus weeps over children, He is showing us what sincerity looks like in action—love without guile, compassion without pretense, tenderness without performance.
PRINCIPLE (Sincerity)
Because Jesus’ love is sincere—felt, embodied, and unfeigned—we must cultivate sincerity in our worship, our relationships, and our ministry, letting our hearts become as honest and undefended as His.
This principle teaches: His tears are the evidence of His sincerity; our sincerity becomes the evidence of our discipleship.
APPLICATION to Our Celestial Spiritual Growth (Self → Family → Fellowship → Community)
1. For Our Personal Growth
- We practice honest prayer—no masks, no performance.
- We let Jesus’ tears soften our own hearts, removing guile, cynicism, and emotional distance.
- We seek revelation with real intent, trusting that sincerity draws heaven near.
2. For Our Families
- We create homes where sincerity is safe—where feelings can be expressed without fear.
- We model tenderness, showing our children that strength and softness coexist.
- We bless our children sincerely, not out of routine but out of genuine love.
3. For Our Fellowships
- We minister without pretense—no hidden motives, no spiritual performance.
- We let sincerity guide our teaching, speaking from the heart, not from habit.
- We cultivate communities where tears are welcome, because sincerity makes room for healing.
4. For Our Communities
- We become advocates for the vulnerable—especially children, whose innocence moved Jesus to tears.
- We build trust through integrity, letting our sincerity become a witness of Christ.
- We create environments where purity is honored, and where every child is treated as sacred.
CLOSING SUMMARY
We saw Jesus weep over little children—revealing a heart that is tender, personal, and deeply moved by innocence. His tears teach us that children are sacred, that compassion is embodied, and that heaven feels with us.
The Sincerity Section shows that His tears are also the ultimate expression of sincerity. Across scripture—from Joshua to Paul, from Moroni to modern revelation—we learn that sincerity is the foundation of true worship, the condition of revelation, the mark of Christlike ministry, and the posture that opens us to divine transformation.
What does this teach us:
When we let our hearts become sincere like His—honest, tender, undefended—we begin to love as He loves, minister as He ministers, and grow into the celestial nature He is shaping within us.
2. “He took their little children, one by one”
His love is individual, not statistical
Jesus does not bless them in a group. He gathers them one by one, showing us:
- Every child is seen
- Every child is known
- Every child is worth personal time, touch, and attention
This teaches us that we cannot love children in the abstract. If Jesus ministers individually, then we must learn to slow down, kneel down, and notice each child personally.
“One by One”
Elder Ronald A. Rasband (October 2000)
“Embrace the Savior’s warm invitation to come unto Him, one by one, and be perfected in Him.”
Elder Rasband testifies that the Savior’s pattern has always been one by one—not only in 3 Nephi 17, but throughout His entire ministry. He reminds us that Jesus Christ:
- Invites us one by one
- Heals us one by one
- Blesses us one by one
- Knows us one by one
This is not symbolic. It is literal, personal, and deeply intentional.
Elder Rasband teaches that when the resurrected Christ appeared to the Nephites, He invited the multitude to come forward one by one to feel the prints in His hands and feet. He healed the sick every one. And He took the children one by one and blessed them.
Elder Rasband emphasizes that this was not a small gathering—over 2,500 souls were present. Yet Jesus still ministered individually.
This is the heart of his message:
Jesus Christ ministers to, and loves us all, one by one.
And Elder Rasband pleads with us to embrace the Savior’s warm invitation to come unto Him, one by one, and be perfected in Him.
What Elder Rasband Adds to Our Understanding
1. The “one by one” pattern is the Savior’[s⁹ signature
It is not an exception in scripture—it is His way. Elder Rasband shows that every major moment of Christ’s ministry is personal, not mass‑produced.
2. The Savior’s individual love is not limited by numbers
Even with thousands present, Jesus still ministered one soul at a time. This teaches us that divine love is never diluted by scale.
3. The Lord orchestrates individual experiences for us
Elder Rasband’s story of Elder Appiah shows that God arranges moments tailored to one person’s heart, even when others are unaware of the reasons.
4. Our ministries must follow the same pattern
Elder Rasband calls leaders, teachers, parents, and disciples to serve one by one, especially in a world that increasingly treats people as categories, groups, or statistics.
Why This Matters for Us
Elder Rasband’s witness confirms that Jesus’ individual ministry is not ancient—it is ongoing. He knows our names, our wounds, our stories, our needs. He knows our children. He knows our families. He knows our fellowship. He knows our community.
And He calls us to mirror His pattern.
Principle (One by One)
Because Jesus ministers one by one, we must become disciples who see, notice, and love individuals—especially children—with the same personal attention, patience, and presence that He offers us.
Application to Our Celestial Spiritual Growth (Self → Family → Fellowship → Community)
1. For Our Personal Growth
- We slow down enough to hear the Spirit one by one.
- We let Jesus minister to our individual wounds, not hiding behind busyness or crowds.
- We practice personal prayer, trusting that He knows us intimately.
2. For Our Families
- We minister to our children individually—not just as a group.
- We give each child personal time, personal listening, personal blessing.
- We create moments where each child feels known and valued.
3. For Our Fellowships
- We see individuals, not attendance numbers.
- We minister to the one who is quiet, overlooked, or hurting.
- We follow promptings to reach out to specific people, trusting that God orchestrates these moments.
4. For Our Communities
- We build communities where every soul matters.
- We refuse to let anyone become invisible.
- We advocate for the vulnerable one by one, especially children, the poor, the lonely, and the marginalized.
Closing Summary
Section 2 teaches us that Jesus’ love is individual, not statistical. He takes children one by one, blessing them with personal attention, personal touch, and personal prayer. Elder Rasband’s message deepens this truth by showing that the Savior’s entire ministry—ancient and modern—follows this same pattern.
Together, the scripture and the talk testify that: Jesus Christ knows us, heals us, and loves us one by one. And as His disciples, we must learn to love, notice, and minister one by one as well.
3. “He blessed them”
His love desires their flourishing, protection, and spiritual strength
A blessing is not a casual gesture. It is:
- A declaration of worth
- A prayer for their future
- A shield of divine favor
When Jesus blesses children, He is telling us:
- “Their future matters to Me.”
- “Their growth matters to Me.”
- “Their safety matters to Me.”
His blessing reveals His desire that every child be strengthened, protected, and surrounded by heaven’s care.
Supporting Scripture:
Mark 10:14–16
“But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
⚓︎ And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
In Mark 10:14–16, Jesus teaches His disciples that children are not interruptions—they are invitations into the heart of God. He welcomes them, embraces them, and blesses them, showing us that:
- Children belong in His presence
- Children reveal the pattern of celestial discipleship
- Children are models of the purity required to enter the kingdom
This passage matters because it shows that Jesus does not bless children reluctantly—He blesses them joyfully, intentionally, and publicly. He corrects the adults who tried to push the children aside, teaching us that any culture, home, or fellowship that sidelines children is out of alignment with heaven.
Why These Scriptures Matter
1. They reveal the heart of Christ toward children
Mark 10 shows Jesus indignant when children are hindered. 3 Nephi 17 shows Him weeping and blessing them. Together, they testify that children are central to His ministry, not peripheral.
2. They show that blessings are relational, not ritual
Jesus takes children in His arms, lays His hands on them, and blesses them. This teaches us that blessings are personal encounters, not formalities.
3. They teach us the pattern of celestial discipleship
Jesus says that unless we become like little children, we cannot enter the kingdom. This means:
- Humility
- Trust
- Purity of heart
- Willingness to be led
Children show us the posture required for celestial life.
4. They show that blessings shape identity
When Jesus blesses a child, He is shaping:
- Their future
- Their spiritual protection
- Their sense of worth
- Their connection to heaven
Blessings are not symbolic—they are identity-forming.
Principle
(Blessing)
Because Jesus blesses children with intentional love, we must become people who speak life, protection, and divine identity over every child—strengthening their future, guarding their innocence, and surrounding them with heaven’s care.
Application to Our Celestial Spiritual Growth (Self → Family → Fellowship → Community)
1. For Our Personal Growth
- We seek the Savior’s blessing personally—trusting that He desires our flourishing.
- We cultivate a childlike heart, allowing His blessing to soften and shape us.
- We speak blessings over our own lives, aligning our identity with His love.
2. For Our Families
- We bless our children intentionally—not out of routine, but out of love.
- We create homes where children feel safe, valued, and spiritually protected.
- We pray for their futures, asking heaven to surround them with strength.
3. For Our Fellowships
- We build ministries that prioritize children—not as an afterthought, but as a sacred trust.
- We speak words of life over the youth, affirming their divine worth.
- We ensure every child feels seen, known, and spiritually supported.
4. For Our Communities
- We advocate for the safety and flourishing of children—especially the vulnerable.
- We create environments where children are honored, not overlooked.
- We bless our community’s children through service, presence, and protection.
Closing Summary
Section 3 teaches us that when Jesus blesses children, He is declaring their worth, shaping their future, and surrounding them with divine protection. Mark 10:14–16 deepens this truth by showing that Jesus welcomes children with joy, defends their access to Him, and blesses them with His own hands.
Together, these scriptures reveal that: Jesus desires every child to flourish, grow, and be spiritually strengthened—and He calls us to join Him in blessing, protecting, and uplifting the rising generation.
4. “He prayed unto the Father for them”
His love intercedes
Jesus does not only act toward the children—He advocates for them before the Father.
This shows us:
- Children have a special place in heaven’s councils
- Jesus carries their needs into His own prayers
- He wants us to join Him in praying for them
If Jesus prays for children, then we must become intercessors for them too—lifting their names, their struggles, their futures, and their healing before God.
“He Is Risen”
Elder Ronald A. Rasband (April 2026)
“With His Resurrection, Jesus Christ secured salvation from physical death for us, all of God’s children throughout the ages.”
Elder Rasband’s Easter message expands our understanding of Christ’s intercession by anchoring it in the Resurrection—the ultimate act of divine advocacy.
He teaches that:
- Jesus Christ is the risen Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
- His Resurrection secures salvation from physical death for all God’s children.
- His resurrected ministry is deeply personal, marked by outstretched hands, tender callings by name, and individual encounters.
- He continues to reach for us, just as He reached for the Nephite children.
Elder Rasband recounts how the resurrected Christ:
- Appeared to Mary and spoke her name
- Invited His disciples to “handle” His resurrected body
- Walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus
- Descended among the Nephites and invited them to come forth one by one
- Took their little children, one by one, and prayed unto the Father for them
This last moment is the heart of Section 4.
Elder Rasband emphasizes that the resurrected Christ still intercedes—His hands, once pierced, are now extended in resurrected power, blessing, healing, and advocating for God’s children.
What Elder Rasband Adds to Our Understanding of Intercession
1. Christ’s intercession is rooted in His Resurrection
Because He lives, He continues to pray for us, bless us, and advocate for us. His resurrected ministry is not symbolic—it is ongoing and real.
2. Christ’s intercession is personal, not distant
Elder Rasband highlights how the risen Lord calls individuals by name, invites them to touch His wounds, and ministers one by one. This means His prayers for children—and for us—are specific, not general.
3. Christ’s intercession is compassionate
Elder Rasband’s story of his grandson Paxton shows that Jesus’ resurrected compassion extends to:
- Children with special needs
- Families who grieve
- Parents who carry heavy burdens
- Souls who long for healing
Christ’s intercession is not abstract—it is felt.
4. Christ’s intercession is hopeful
Because He is risen:
- Every child will rise again
- Every broken body will be made whole
- Every sorrow will be swallowed up in joy
- Every prayer offered in faith is gathered into His eternal advocacy
Intercession is not only about the present—it is about eternal restoration.
Why This Matters for Us
Elder Rasband’s witness shows that when Jesus prays for children, He is doing so as:
- The Resurrected Lord
- The Advocate with the Father
- The Healer of every affliction
- The Restorer of every broken life
- The Guarantor of resurrection for every child
This means our intercession is not symbolic—it is participation in Christ’s ongoing ministry.
Principle (Intercession)
Because Jesus intercedes for children with resurrected power, we must join Him in prayer—lifting the rising generation before the Father with faith, compassion, and eternal hope.
Application to Our Celestial Spiritual Growth (Self → Family → Fellowship → Community)
1. For Our Personal Growth
- We learn to pray with Christ, not just to Christ—joining His intercession.
- We trust His resurrected advocacy, believing He carries our needs to the Father.
- We let His prayers shape our desires, softening our hearts toward the vulnerable.
2. For Our Families
- We pray for our children by name—their futures, fears, gifts, and healing.
- We intercede for struggling family members, trusting Christ’s resurrected compassion.
- We teach our children that Jesus prays for them, giving them identity and confidence.
3. For Our Fellowships
- We become a praying people—lifting the youth, the weary, and the wounded.
- We pray for the afflicted, following Christ’s example among the Nephites.
- We surround families with special needs children with spiritual support.
4. For Our Communities
- We intercede for the vulnerable—the poor, the lonely, the marginalized.
- We pray for schools, neighborhoods, and leaders, asking heaven to protect children.
- We become advocates, mirroring Christ’s advocacy before the Father.
Closing Summary
Section 4 teaches us that Jesus does not merely bless children—He prays for them, carrying their needs into the Father’s presence.
Elder Rasband’s Easter testimony deepens this truth by showing that Christ’s intercession flows from His Resurrection. Because He lives, He continues to advocate, bless, heal, and restore. His resurrected hands—once pierced—are still extended toward every child, every family, every soul.
Together, the scripture and the talk testify that: Jesus Christ is the living Advocate who prays for us and for our children, and He invites us to join Him in interceding for the rising generation with resurrected hope.
What this teaches us about His feelings toward children
Jesus delights in children
Across every movement of 3 Nephi 17—His weeping, His gathering, His blessing, and His intercession—we see that children bring Him joy, not burden. His emotions are sincere, His touch is personal, His blessings are intentional, and His prayers are eternal. He delights in their purity, their trust, and their divine potential.
Jesus protects children
His tears reveal His sincerity. His “one by one” ministry reveals His attentiveness. His blessings reveal His desire for their flourishing. His prayers reveal His advocacy. Together, they show that children hold a special place in heaven’s councils, and that Christ Himself becomes their shield, advocate, and guardian.
Jesus honors children
He treats them as bearers of divine identity, not background figures. He lifts them into the center of His ministry—embracing them, blessing them, and praying for them. He shows us that children are not spiritually secondary; they are spiritually essential, revealing the pattern of celestial discipleship.
Jesus invites us to love children as He does
If He weeps for them with sincerity, if He receives them one by one, if He blesses them with divine favor, if He prays for them with resurrected power—then we must become people who weep, bless, notice, and intercede for the rising generation.
His example calls us to:
- See their worth
- Protect their innocence
- Bless their growth
- Lift their names before the Father
This is the pattern of Christlike love.
Principle
Because Jesus feels profound, personal, protective, and eternal love for little children, we must treat every child as He does—seeing their worth with sincerity, honoring their innocence one by one, blessing their growth with intentional love, and interceding for their future with resurrected hope.
This principle gathers the entire Dissection into one unified truth:
- His tears teach us sincerity.
- His “one by one” ministry teaches us attentiveness.
- His blessings teach us identity and protection.
- His prayers teach us advocacy and eternal hope.
And together they teach us how to love children the way heaven loves them.
To be child like in a Christlike way, for Jesus is the way.
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