Closer to Christ with Riley

 To share the gospel effectively, we don’t need to be a gifted orator. We don’t need to know every jot and tittle of gospel doctrine. We don’t need to memorize dozens of scriptures. We don’t even need to be highly educated. Those things help us share our message, but true converting power comes from a humble heart, a vibrant testimony, and an affirming witness from the Holy Ghost.  Elder Quentin L. Cook

The Scripture This past week, I heard a scripture (3 Nephi 17:2-3) read at a reunion of church friends. In the scripture, Jesus visits the people in ancient America. He tells them He has to return to His Father but will be with them again the next day. That would have been amazing by itself, but on my way home I read further. Verses 5-7 read: And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them. And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you… My bowels are filled with mercy. This scripture says that the people wanted Jesus to stay longer. His response however, was what caught my attention. He said that His bowels were filled with compassion and mercy. Though I knew of compassion and mercy, I didn’t really understand them and wanted to go deeper. What is mercy? My Search I did a