Nephi first felt this pain when he saw the vision of the history of his people, I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall (1 Nephi 15:5). The Lord feels this same godly sorrow for His wicked children. He explained to Enoch how the God of heaven was brought to tears by the wickedness of his children:
’And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?
…The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;
And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood;
And the fire of mine indignation is kindled against them; and in my hot displeasure will I send in the floods upon them, for my fierce anger is kindled against them’ (Moses 7:29, 32-34).