Awareness is one of Rod Peterson’s strengths as an artist. He paints to create something with which everyone can relate.

In this painting of, Christ is interacting with youth from a variety of different backgrounds. Rod’s work reminds us that God does not see us through cultural or political lenses. His focus is on the heart.

As we read in Doctrine and Covenants 18: “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”

The Gift is another piece by Rod. A little girl is happily handing Jesus a flower.

Similar to Rod’s other images of Jesus, Christ has a warm smile. He accepts the simple and heartfelt gift, just as he accepts our own sometimes seemingly small but sincere efforts.

Perhaps this is why He taught us to learn from their example.  

Artist Jay Bryant Ward also creates a touching scene with Christ interacting with a variety of children.

In this image, he even illustrates different personalities in each child's face, showing the Savior’s love for every one of them as individuals.   

Here, Jesus walks slowly through a field of lavendar with a young, black girl. The purple of the flowers and the sky, in combination with the gentle sunrays, make this piece especially peaceful and calming.

It serves as a reminder that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. The kind of peace He offers, we can never find anywhere else.

One of the most beautiful things about this picture of Jesus is the amount of gentleness in the Savior’s expression. It’s a moving reminder that Christ understands the worries and sadness that young people experience.

We can help children and youth recognize the Savior as a source of comfort. 

Mandy Jane Williams also expresses this idea in her painting titled Solace.

Her piece demonstrates the warmth and closeness that children can feel when they turn to Christ for guidance or peace. Just as in the story of Mark, He will never turn them away.   

Kelsy and Jesse Lightweave bring a unique perspective into focus in this next photo titled Elder Brother.

Typically, pictures of Jesus with children accurately portray Christ as a leader and role model. However, ‘brother’ takes that idea to a deeper level. It implies that Christ is also a protector and a friend.   

Christ saved the entire human family, but He ministers to each of us on an individual basis. Often the answers and comfort we find in Him are deeply personal.

This painting illustrates this truth in the way that Jesus is interacting with the two children. He is looking directly at the little boy, giving Him His full attention. Meanwhile, He holds a sweet little girl on His knee where she appears calm and comforted.

Jesus taught that we should emulate children as we seek to become better disciples. This painting celebrates that teaching with unique textures and a warm color pallette.

Both Jesus and the innocent little boy on His knee have halos encircling their heads, signifying holiness and purity. Truly every soul, especially the mighty and energetic souls of children, are great in the eyes of God.

Everything that God commands us to do comes with a promise. It can be difficult when we do not see that promise fulfilled immediately, but that is where faith comes in.

Perhaps that is what Jesus meant when He taught His followers to become like children. Even in a world that can be harsh, we can have childlike trust in and humility toward our Heavenly Father.

Simon said about this piece:

“Christ’s love and compassion are mercifully extended to each of us. There is not a man, woman, child, or tiny infant that is excluded from His Love."

"Through the Savior our lives can be made complete; in our moments of greatest joy and rejoicing, and in our deepest moments of tragedy and despair, we can take comfort in the fact that His love for us is everlasting, and that we, Gods children, are in His constant care.”  

Jorge Cocco has an art style all his own that he calls “saccrocubism." In other words, he uses the principles of cubism to portray the deeper meaning of sacred events. One such event occurs in the later chapters of The Book of Mormon when the resurrected Christ appears to the people in the Americas. Even though there are thousands of people present, Christ takes the time to bless each child. 

3 Nephi 17 reads: “And he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. And when he had done this, he wept again; and he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.”

Blessings come in many forms. Sometimes, as in the previous paintings, they are more spiritual in nature. And sometimes they are more physical. In this picture by Lightweave, Jesus is either giving or receiving a strand of wheat from a little boy from the field they are walking through.

Our daily efforts and sacrifices are not lost on the Lord, and they will always be rewarded.

They say the best leaders are the ones that make more leaders. Jesus Christ is the supreme example of leadership.

In this painting of Jesus with children, we see a young boy trying to follow after the Savior, even carrying a smaller version of his staff. Jay’s piece reminds us of the potential God sees in every child. 

Children have a way of seeing things with such pure and honest eyes. From the blossoms to the sheep to Jesus' robe, this picture communicates that sense of purity.We especially love the look of simple joy and excitement in the children's faces as they look up toward the Savior.

Lightweave creates a similar scene. Here, Jesus is with a child as they watch over the sheep.

The title My Young Shepherd teaches that even children and youth have a vital part to play in serving those around them and helping others come closer to God.   

In this similar picture of Jesus with children, He and a young shepherd boy are seated in the middle of a serene, grassy field tending to the sheep.In this image, it feels as if time doesn't pass. Everything is calm and quiet while, at the same time, full of life. It's a breathtaking glimpse into perhaps what Heaven might feel like.

One of the best ways God guides us is by helping us obtain. knowledge. Whether it is from our scripture study, from insightful men and women around us, or from our own observations on life, true intelligence brings us closer to God.That is because He is the Master Creator. The more we learn about His creations, the more we come to learn about Him.

Often the scriptures equate light with intelligence or wisdom. Jesus' teachings, for example, brought light to many people.

Not everyone liked the sort of things that light revealed, but for those who applied childlike faith, Christ's words became like a healing balm.

Christ commanded His followers to be like the salt of the earth. Salt is something that both preserves and adds flavor, so long as it remains untainted.We have a similar role to play as we follow in the footsteps of the Savior. Like Him, if we keep our lives pure we can help preserve what is good and can help improve the lives of those around us.

Simon’s images of Jesus Christ are always breathtaking. As clean and flawless as his style looks, you might be surprised to learn how often he redid this particular painting. Here’s why:

“Men of Galilee came about with the idea that in this world, where we have so few honorable male role models, the supreme example of true manhood will always be there for our boys. Such has been my hope for my own two sons as they have looked for men to emulate. This is a picture about guys spending peaceful, wholesome time together--the boys, not yet men but aspiring to be such, and the greatest man there ever was. I really wanted to get this one right and labored over it more than any other image.”