Michelle Stott James

"Empty Centers and the Fire of the Lord" by Michelle Stott James. "...As a high school student, I had the opportunity to become acquainted with several Catholic nuns who lived in a convent in my hometown and worked in the nearby Catholic hospital.  ...Sister Columba...was a tiny, elderly woman who had been a member of the Irish Army before she became a nun. That day she was sharing with me the profound love that she had for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and as she spoke, tears were streaming down her face. It was a powerful spiritual moment that touched me in the deepest center of my being... That afternoon with this frail nun in the quiet parlor of the convent became the definitive moment of my spiritual growth, as it launched a quest to know my Savior that has shaped my entire life. The most critical point, which I have at last come to comprehend, is the absolute centrality of Jesus Christ and His Atonement to every aspect of our lives. Because of that centrality, the most significant challenge for us is to learn to grasp this center and to build our lives upon this secure foundation." This address was given June 21, 2016. For the full text, audio, and video of the speech, visit: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/michelle-stott-james/empty-centers-fire-of-the-lord/ Michelle Stott James