Addiction Was My Vehicle to the Savior | An Interview with Kelly Clark and Heather Warren

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Kelly Thompson Clark is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic who
spent three decades battling the disease of addiction. Plagued
by the effects of mental illness and addiction, she eventually
descended into homelessness and prostitution. In 2016, after
finding faith in Jesus Christ and entering twelve-step recovery,
Kelly’s life of tragedy and despair transformed into one that
overflowed with purpose and hope. Kelly is a published author,
public speaker, podcast co-host, and social media influencer. She
has dedicated her life to sharing the reality of hope with those
who continue to suffer from the devastating impact of addiction.
Heather Granata Warren and her husband are the parents of nine
kids, her two nieces, a daughter-in law, and two dogs. They reside
in the Lehi, Utah area, and she owns Little Adventures, a company
that manufactures clothing-quality princess dress ups. Her
full-time job, however, is as a wife and an Uber driver (for the
kids), and handling the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of
all those young people. She is a graduate of Brigham Young
University with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. Heather
currently serves as a Young Women 13–15-year-old advisor. Her
favorite callings—and most of the last twenty years—have involved
serving the youth and in the Young Women organization. Highlights
02:00 Kurt introduces Kelly and Heather. 04:00 Introduction to
Kelly’s story of addiction and redemption 07:00 Kelly shares their
family background and how they were raised. 09:20 As a very young
child Kelly suffered from anxiety disorder and depression. She had
very troubled teenage years and got into drug addiction and harmful
behaviors. 16:00 Kelly looks back on her journey and shares what
her young self needed at that time. The true solution was always
God and the atonement of Jesus Christ. 17:40 The journey was
important. Kelly had small glimpses of the spirit and Jesus Christ
throughout the years. In the end, all those experiences combined to
help her finally surrender to God. 21:00 The family dynamic and how
they were dealing with Kelly’s problems 25:45 Coping with different
substances, food, or work. Putting these behaviors before God and
losing all peace of mind. 26:30 Hitting her absolute rock bottom
using meth and heroin, losing her two daughters, and living out on
the streets of Salt Lake 27:40 Heather shares her experience
watching her sister suffer and go out of control, not being able to
help her. 29:20 Addressing codependency. How can families not
enable the member of the family with the addiction? What can they
do to truly help? 32:30 The Atonement isn’t just for sin. Heather
shares her grief and unbearable pain of thinking she was going to
lose her sister. She had to surrender her sister to God. 35:20
Bishop’s should teach surrender to God. Everything always goes back
to the Atonement. Let God carry you. 36:10 Kelly describes her
gethsemane and how she slowly learned to turn to God and surrender
unconditionally to God. 44:45 Kelly describes her emotional journey
and miracles that happened to get sober and come back to Christ.
50:30 The process of getting off of heroin and meth 58:30 It’s not
just about getting clean and sober but it’s about feeling joy again
and coming back to Christ. Not all people that get off drugs are
happy. 59:50 Advice for a ward or relief society that is trying to
help someone in the midst of addiction and chaos. Love them where
they are at with no expectations. 1:01:30 The more vulnerable and
honest Kelly is, the more people connect with her. The less
judgmental they are. 1:04:00 The Atonement of Jesus Christ lifts
the shame. 1:07:20 Rings of light sometimes have frayed ends.
However, in time everything will come full circle. Healing is
individual and will happen in different time frames for everyone.
1:08:30 Kelly shares where she is now. 1:11:20 Heather’s
relationship with Kelly now 1:15:00 Heat...