Escaping Addiction Through the Gift of Dreams: Orlando Mora's Story - Latter-Day Lights

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

When years of crippling addiction tighten its grip, can a sliver of lasting change still exist?

For carpenter, devoted husband, and former addict Orlando Mora, the path out of darkness was illuminated not just through sobriety and faith, but by a heaven-sent “gift of dreams.” From his first prayer of desperation to the day he opened the door to two unexpected missionaries, Orlando discovered that God’s guidance comes in many forms—sometimes through gentle impressions of the Spirit, and sometimes through vivid dreams that bring clarity, comfort, and renewed purpose.

In this uplifting episode of Latter-day Lights, Orlando recounts the power of divine intervention that guided him from a dark “basement” of hopelessness to the bright promise of a new beginning. From his first steps into a detox center, to the moment he felt Christ’s arms around him at the Mesa Arizona Temple, Orlando’s story testifies that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Even in our deepest struggles, we can find ourselves led by the hand of a loving Savior who has never once left our side.

Orlando’s journey brings hope to anyone seeking to turn their life around. Tune in to discover how, even in the quiet corners of the night, the Lord can reach our hearts, rewrite our stories, and remind each of us that we are never truly alone.

*** Please SHARE Orlando's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***
To WATCH this episode, visit: https://youtu.be/BH8vk9WqE1g
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Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Welcoming Orlando Mora to the show (00:00:32)

3. Orlando in a nutshell (00:01:40)

4. Orlando discovers prayer (00:06:33)

5. Orlando moves + starts kindergarten in New York (00:08:22)

6. Struggles in school + PTSD (00:10:34)

7. Orlando smokes pot for the first time (00:12:22)

8. Carpentry class + Orlando gets arrested (00:15:00)

9. Orlando excels in carpentry + addiction gets worse (00:17:00)

10. Suicidal thoughts (00:20:15)

11. Orlando takes a leave of absence (00:21:40)

12. Orlando discovers the Book of Mormon (00:22:30)

13. Orlando overdoses (00:27:45)

14. Orlando finds a Bible while in detox (00:30:10)

15. Orlando goes to “group” (00:31:47)

16. Orlando moves to Arizona (00:34:15)

17. Orlando sees the temple lights (00:36:57)

18. Orlando feels Christ (00:38:45)

19. Orlando goes to the temple daily (00:41:18)

20. Orlando meets his wife at a singles ward (00:43:00)

21. Orlando’s family on him joining the Church (00:47:03)

22. “The gift of dreams” (00:48:10)

23. How does Orlando see God now? (00:53:55)

24. Everybody has been in a “basement” (00:57:10)

25. Orlando’s advice to listeners (01:00:00)

26. Final thoughts (01:01:20)

27. Outro (01:03:05)