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

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

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.

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

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Welcoming Joe McCally to the show (00:00:32)

3. Joe’s family in a nutshell (00:02:10)

4. Joe’s job as a registered nurse & clinical instructor (00:05:50)

5. Joe’s childhood (00:06:45)

6. Joe’s relationship with his mother (00:08:10)

7. Joe’s first encounter with the Spirit (00:10:00)

8. A man helps Joe walk home (00:16:00)

9. Joe gets baptized and has doubts (00:19:30)

10. Joe’s tobacco addiction (00:21:00)

11. Alcoholism, tobacco, and pornography (00:24:40)

12. Miracles of safety (00:27:20)

13. Joe begins high school (00:28:55)

14. Joe’s addictions getting worse (00:31:00)

15. Joe’s saves his brother’s life (00:33:35)

16. Joe’s relationship with his father & grandparents (00:36:40)

17. Joe leaves home (00:39:45)

18. Joe finds work through LDS Employment Services (00:42:00)

19. Joe gets fired and gets help (00:44:00)

20. Joe finds a job on a ranch and gets deja vu (00:46:00)

21. Joe’s near-death experience (00:50:40)

22. Joe backtracks on his sobriety progress (00:54:55)

23. What did the voice sound like? (00:57:00)

24. Being bound by the tongue (00:59:00)

25. Joe’s experience with prostitution (01:00:50)

26. Joe begins his job as a heavy mechanical machine operator (01:03:56)

27. Joe passes by an LDS Church and is welcomed back (01:06:10)

28. Joe’s road to sobriety (01:11:10)

29. Joe’s love story with his wife (01:13:30)

30. Joe’s honeymoon (01:21:40)

31. The miracle at the reception (01:23:15)

32. Joe starts a family (01:25:35)

33. Joe gets fired a 2nd time (01:28:00)

34. The Sisters that helped Joe’s wife (01:30:00)

35. Joe gets a calling to be a nurse (01:32:00)

36. Joe’s grandfather’s personality (01:37:06)

37. Joe attends nursing school (01:38:55)

38. Life post-nursing school & growing family (01:41:25)

39. Joe’s callings in the Church (01:48:00)

40. Joe’s testimony (01:48:55)

41. Final thoughts (01:58:35)

42. Outro (02:00:30)