Gemotions

Sunlight poured through the stained-glass windows of the Catholic church, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. My sister, Clara, her face radiant, declared her intention to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was perplexed, and a little shocked, but her demeanor was so utterly serene that I could not find it in myself to object.

The next few weeks were a flurry of activity. She was up at the crack of dawn, reading the Book of Mormon, and taking notes. It was like seeing a dormant volcano begin to rumble.

She spoke of forgiveness, of service, of building a community. She started volunteering at the local soup kitchen, her usual cynicism replaced with an eagerness to help. Her quiet life was replaced with an almost dizzying social calendar of lessons and fellowship, a welcome change after years of solitude. When she sang, her voice held a note of pure, untainted conviction that moved me to tears.

Her transformation was complete, a new person born into a life of faith.