From Addiction and Temptation to Triumphant Redemption: Joe McCally's Story - Latter-Day Lights

LDS Podcast "Latter-Day Lights" - Inspirational LDS Stories

Chapters
0:00
Intro
0:32
Welcoming Joe McCally to the show
2:10
Joe’s family in a nutshell
5:50
Joe’s job as a registered nurse & clinical instructor
6:45
Joe’s childhood
8:10
Joe’s relationship with his mother
10:00
Joe’s first encounter with the Spirit
16:00
A man helps Joe walk home
19:30
Joe gets baptized and has doubts
21:00
Joe’s tobacco addiction
24:40
Alcoholism, tobacco, and pornography
27:20
Miracles of safety
28:55
Joe begins high school
31:00
Joe’s addictions getting worse
33:35
Joe’s saves his brother’s life
36:40
Joe’s relationship with his father & grandparents
39:45
Joe leaves home
42:00
Joe finds work through LDS Employment Services
44:00
Joe gets fired and gets help
46:00
Joe finds a job on a ranch and gets deja vu
50:40
Joe’s near-death experience
54:55
Joe backtracks on his sobriety progress
57:00
What did the voice sound like?
59:00
Being bound by the tongue
1:00:50
Joe’s experience with prostitution
1:03:56
Joe begins his job as a heavy mechanical machine operator
1:06:10
Joe passes by an LDS Church and is welcomed back
1:11:10
Joe’s road to sobriety
1:13:30
Joe’s love story with his wife
1:21:40
Joe’s honeymoon
1:23:15
The miracle at the reception
1:25:35
Joe starts a family
1:28:00
Joe gets fired a 2nd time
1:30:00
The Sisters that helped Joe’s wife
1:32:00
Joe gets a calling to be a nurse
1:37:06
Joe’s grandfather’s personality
1:38:55
Joe attends nursing school
1:41:25
Life post-nursing school & growing family
1:48:00
Joe’s callings in the Church
1:48:55
Joe’s testimony
1:58:35
Final thoughts
2:00:30
Outro
LDS Podcast "Latter-Day Lights" - Inspirational LDS Stories
From Addiction and Temptation to Triumphant Redemption: Joe McCally's Story - Latter-Day Lights
Feb 09, 2025
Scott Brandley and Alisha Coakley

When you’ve wandered so far that rock bottom becomes your new normal, can a single moment of grace change your course forever?

Husband, father of four, and RN-turned-educator Joe McCally shares how his encounters with voices of doubt throughout his childhood slowly gave way to a downward spiral of addiction, broken promises, and near-catastrophic decisions. From wrestling with tobacco, alcohol, and pornography, to the familial struggles that left him homeless, Joe’s conversion story and journey to sobriety illustrate that no depth is too far for God’s reach.

Despite the threats that damaged any hope of Joe ever returning back to the Savior, a singular act of love in his darkest moment proved that miracles can appear at the most unlikely crossroads. He discovered that sometimes, all it takes is one warm and welcoming embrace—imbued with a compassion only God can give—to reignite the determination to return home to the Gospel.

Today, with a fulfilling career in nursing, a profound love for family, and continuous opportunities in Church leadership, Joe’s story stands as proof that the Savior’s hand remains outstretched at every turn. Join us in this powerful episode of Latter-day Lights as Joe reveals how unwavering divine love, relentless hope, and the courage to destroy old habits can forge a path to redemption—even when all seems lost.

*** Please SHARE Joe's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***

To WATCH this episode, visit: https://youtu.be/mKmM-7-6Na8

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