Is it possible Jesus appeared to me as a child?

Question

 

Dear Gramps,

Is it possible for Jesus to actually appear to me as a child?  I remember being upset, and then I believe I actually saw Him.  I then felt an ease come over me and turned, falling asleep.  I was not sleeping before this.  Thank you very much.

Donna

 

Answer

 

Donna,

That’s a really tender and meaningful question—and honestly, it’s one a lot of people have quietly wondered about at some point. When we talk about the possibility of seeing Jesus Christ, especially as a child, it touches on some deep ideas in Latter-day Saint theology about revelation, spiritual experiences, and how the Lord interacts with His children.

From an LDS doctrinal perspective, the short answer is: yes, it is possible—but it’s also very rare, and maybe not in the way people sometimes imagine.

In scripture, there are recorded instances of individuals, including young people, seeing the Savior. One of the most well-known examples in our faith is Joseph Smith, who, as a 14-year-old boy, experienced the First Vision (Joseph Smith—History 1:5–20). While that vision included both God the Father and Jesus Christ, it establishes an important doctrinal truth: the Lord can reveal Himself to anyone He chooses, regardless of age.

There’s also the account in 3 Nephi 11 and 17, where Jesus appears to the Nephites and invites little children to come unto Him. He blesses them individually, and angels minister to them. That moment reinforces something beautiful—children are not spiritually overlooked; they are central to the Savior’s love.

Now, here’s where we gently ground things.

While these kinds of direct, open visions do happen, they are not the norm—even for very faithful people. Most leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have taught that the vast majority of our interactions with the Savior come through the Holy Ghost rather than physical appearances.

President Boyd K. Packer taught this principle very clearly:

“The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers… The voice of the Spirit is described in the scriptures as being neither ‘loud’ nor ‘harsh’… but rather a still and small voice.”  (Boyd K. Packer, “The Candle of the Lord,” Ensign, Jan. 1983)

That teaching is key. It helps us understand that most spiritual experiences—especially for children—are quiet, personal, and easy to overlook if we’re expecting something dramatic.

That doesn’t make them any less real.

In fact, President Packer also emphasized that we shouldn’t expect constant or dramatic manifestations:

“Some answers will come from reading the scriptures, some from hearing speakers. And, occasionally… some will come by very direct and powerful inspiration. The promptings will be clear and unmistakable.” (Boyd K. Packer, “Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise,” Ensign, Nov. 1994)

So yes, powerful experiences can happen—but they are occasional, not the standard pattern.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks also gave really helpful guidance about this. He cautioned against seeking dramatic manifestations as a goal:

“We should not seek to compel the Lord to give us revelations by the way we live… We should not expect or seek for visions or angels… In most cases, revelation comes in small and simple ways.” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Teaching and Learning by the Spirit,” Ensign, Mar. 1997)

That’s an important balance. It’s not that visions never happen—it’s that they are given according to God’s purposes, not as something we pursue as a sign of faith or worthiness.

Now, when it comes specifically to children, LDS doctrine teaches something really comforting.

The Book of Mormon explains that little children are “alive in Christ” (Moroni 8:12). That means they are already in a state of innocence and closeness to Him. They don’t need extraordinary manifestations to establish that relationship—they already have it.

President Russell M. Nelson has also emphasized how the Lord communicates in personal, individualized ways:

“The Lord has promised that if we will ask, we may receive revelation upon revelation… in ways that are uniquely suited to us.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” General Conference, Apr. 2018)

That applies to children just as much as adults. The way a child might feel or understand the Savior’s presence could look very different from a dramatic vision—but it can still be deeply real and meaningful.

So, could a child literally see Jesus Christ?

Yes—it is within the realm of possibility. Scripture and history show that the Lord can reveal Himself to whomever He chooses, including the young.

But should that be something we expect, seek out, or measure ourselves by?

The consistent teaching from Church leaders is no.

Instead, we’re invited to recognize the ways the Savior is already present in our lives—especially through the Holy Ghost. Feelings of peace, comfort, love, and truth are not “lesser” experiences. They are the primary way most of us come to know Him.

And here’s something that tends to settle the question in a really reassuring way: many faithful disciples—including apostles and prophets—have spent their entire lives serving Jesus Christ without ever describing a physical, open vision of Him. And yet, they speak of knowing Him with complete certainty.

That kind of relationship is built quietly. Steadily. Over time.

So if this question comes from a place of hope—or even longing—it might help to gently reframe it.

Instead of asking, “Will Jesus appear to me (or to a child)?” it becomes, “How is Jesus already making Himself known?”

Because, according to both scripture and modern prophets, He absolutely is.

Gramps