During His ministry on the American continent, the Savior taught us about children by His words and by His example:
- In a passage which also appears in the Sermon on the Mount, He taught us that our Father in Heaven wants to give us good gifts, just as we want to give our children good gifts (3 Nephi 14:9-11).
- After healing their sick, the Savior commanded the people to bring their children to Him. With the children all around Him, He knelt and prayed, speaking words that cannot be written (3 Nephi 17:11-17).
- Afterward, He blessed the children one by one while shedding tears of joy (3 Nephi 17:21-22).
- He told the people, “Behold your little ones,” while angels came down from heaven and ministered to them (3 Nephi 17:23-24).
- He commanded the people to pray for their children in their families (3 Nephi 18:21).
- He quoted a passage from Isaiah about children being taught directly by God and having great peace (3 Nephi 22:13).
- He quoted a passage from Malachi about parents’ and children’s hearts being turned toward one another (3 Nephi 25:5-6).
- He taught the children and “loosed their tongues,” so that “they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things” (3 Nephi 26:14). After His departure, these children continued to receive revelation and “utter marvelous things” (3 Nephi 26:16).
Today, and during this Christmas season, I will follow the example and teachings of Jesus with my children. I will:
- Give them good gifts.
- Pray for and with them.
- Bless them.
- Express my emotions to them.
- Turn my heart toward them.
- Teach them about receiving revelation from God.
- Listen to them and learn from them.
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