A Perfect Brightness of Hope
A Latter-day Saint’s Journey through Alcohol and Drug Addiction
It could be your brother. It could be your daughter. It could be you! The chances are good that someone you know and love struggles with an addiction. We live in a world of compulsions from alcohol to pornography to disordered eating, . Everyone is vulnerable. My name is Phil, and I am an alcoholic and an addict. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Years ago, I was active in the Church and a father and husband. I taught seminary for a number of years and even religion classes as a graduate student at BYU. This is my story. Written directly from myriads of journal entries, it is a true and honest account of how I lost everything I valued: my family, Church membership, jobs, self-respect, and hope. Then something incredible happened—a miracle! The power of the Atonement rescued me in a most unusual way. My story is not an easy one to read. Herein lies its power to change lives. You will feel, vicariously, the pain and despair I felt of being trapped in an endless loop of addiction. Your understanding of addiction will dramatically increase as will your compassion. You will feel the pure love of Christ working in my life. You will come to understand, as I did, the incredible power that lies in surrendering completely to a caring, loving, and merciful Heavenly Father.
Hi Phil, my name is Chaz Oakes and I was a student of yours. Do you have an e-mail I could get in contact with you at?
Hi Chaz, my email is phil4joy@gmail.com