Miracles, Prayer, and Redemption: A Heroin Addict’s Near-Death Experience

In this continuing episode of the One by One Podcast, Landon Dennis shares his story that represents one of the most extraordinary testimonies of divine intervention and the power of prayer ever shared on the One by One podcast. As someone who experienced the deepest depths of addiction, homelessness, and despair, his journey to a life-changing near death experience offers hope to anyone who feels they've fallen too far to be redeemed. His background as a former drug addict who lived on the streets, dived into dumpsters fishing for food, and contemplated suicide, gives him unique credibility when speaking about rock bottom experiences and a miraculous transformation.

What makes Landon's testimony particularly significant is that his near death experience occurred during a period when he had completely disconnected from faith and religious practice. Having been raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but having fallen away from active participation, his spiritual awakening came when he least expected divine intervention. His subsequent return to faith and his mission to share the lessons learned during his NDE provide a unique perspective on addiction recovery, prayer, and the infinite reach of God's love.

This exploration of Landon's experience reveals essential truths about the power of intercessory prayer, the reality of life after death, and the purpose that can emerge from our deepest suffering. His story demonstrates that no one is ever too far gone for divine intervention and that sometimes our greatest trials become the foundation for our most meaningful contributions to others' healing and hope.

The Depths of Despair and Divine Intervention  

Landon's journey to rock bottom included years of addiction that cost him relationships, stability, and eventually his home. Living on the streets with no consistent source of food or shelter, he found himself surviving by scavenging through dumpsters behind restaurants and stores. The stark reality of his situation became undeniably clear during one particular evening when his only option for sustenance was a partially eaten piece of pizza retrieved from a garbage container, contaminated with unknown substances and bearing bite marks from previous consumption.

During this moment of consuming garbage while sitting alone in the darkness, Landon experienced what he describes as the lowest point of human existence. The weight of everything he had lost, combined with the shame of his current circumstances, led him to conclude that he was both unlovable and unredeemable. The thought patterns that followed naturally progressed toward planning his own death, as he saw no possible path back to dignity or connection with the family members who had once loved him.

At the precise moment when Landon was contemplating suicide and planning the least painful method to end his life, he experienced what he describes as a miraculous physical intervention. Despite being alone in a remote location, he suddenly felt someone approach him from behind and embrace him with such warmth and comfort that it immediately dispelled his thoughts of self-harm. When he turned to see who had provided this unexpected comfort, he discovered no one was there, leaving him confused but somehow changed by the experience.

The Near Death Experience and Revelations About Prayer  

Years later, when Landon experienced clinical death during a medical emergency, he was given extraordinary insight into that mysterious embrace he had received during his darkest moment. During his time in what he describes as a realm beyond physical death, he was shown the spiritual reality of what had occurred during that night when suicide seemed like his only option. The beings who taught him during his NDE revealed that the embrace he felt was the direct result of prayers being offered on his behalf by family members who loved him.

The visual representation of prayer that Landon witnessed during his near death experience fundamentally changed his understanding of spiritual intervention in human affairs. He was shown how the sincere prayers of his parents, who were serving a mission in Australia at the time, and other family members had created literal barriers of light around him during his most vulnerable moments. These prayers hadn't just provided emotional comfort but had actively prevented dark spiritual influences from overwhelming him completely during his crisis.

Most significantly, Landon learned that the people praying for him had no idea their prayers were being answered in such dramatic fashion. His parents and other family members continued praying despite seeing no visible evidence that their efforts were making any difference in his circumstances. This revelation about the hidden power of intercessory prayer became one of the central messages Landon felt compelled to share with others, particularly those who might be discouraged about the apparent ineffectiveness of their prayers for struggling loved ones.

Recovery, Purpose, and Sharing the Message  

The knowledge gained during Landon's near death experience didn't immediately transform his life circumstances, but it planted seeds that would eventually grow into lasting change. Even after receiving such extraordinary spiritual instruction, he continued to struggle with addiction and the practical challenges of rebuilding his life. This honest acknowledgment of continued struggle after spiritual experience adds authenticity to his testimony and hope for others who might expect instant transformation after divine encounters.

The transition back to active faith and church participation required Landon to overcome significant feelings of unworthiness and fear about sharing his experiences. Having lived as what he describes as a thief, liar, and beggar, he questioned whether anyone would believe his account or whether he had any right to teach others about spiritual matters. The fear of ridicule and rejection kept him silent about his near death experience for nearly two years after it occurred.

The breakthrough in sharing his message came when Landon finally told his family about his experience and received their support and encouragement. This acceptance gave him confidence to begin sharing his story more widely, starting with online forums and eventually leading to podcast appearances and public speaking opportunities. His willingness to be vulnerable about his ongoing struggles while sharing the spiritual insights he received has resonated with audiences who appreciate his honesty about the ongoing nature of recovery and spiritual growth.

Transforming Pain into Purpose and Empathy  

One of the most significant lessons Landon learned during his near death experience was about the purpose that can emerge from intense suffering. The beings who instructed him helped him understand that his experiences with addiction, homelessness, and despair weren't meaningless trials but preparation for a specific mission of hope and encouragement. His ability to speak authentically to people facing similar struggles comes directly from having lived through circumstances that many people can't imagine surviving.

The empathy that Landon developed through his own suffering allows him to connect with audiences in recovery centers, shelters, and other venues where people are experiencing their own dark nights of the soul. His message resonates particularly with those who feel they've fallen too far from grace to ever find their way back to spiritual connection or family relationships. The combination of his lived experience and spiritual insights creates a unique platform for encouraging others who might otherwise dismiss religious messages as irrelevant to their circumstances.

Landon's understanding of Christ's suffering also deepened through his own experiences of physical and emotional pain. During his near death experience, he was given insight into how his own small taste of anguish helped him appreciate the infinite scope of the Savior's atonement in ways he never could have understood through study alone. This personal connection to redemptive suffering has become central to his message about the availability of divine help regardless of how far someone feels they've fallen.

Key insights from Landon's spiritual transformation include:

• Prayer works even when we can't see immediate results

• Divine intervention often occurs without our awareness

• No one is ever too far gone for God's love and redemption

• Our deepest suffering can become our greatest source of empathy

• Sharing our struggles helps others feel less alone in their battles

• Spiritual experiences don't always provide instant transformation

• Worthiness isn't a prerequisite for receiving divine help

• Purpose can emerge from even the most painful circumstances

Your Journey Toward Hope and Healing  

Landon's story, as shared on the One by One podcast, offers hope for anyone struggling with addiction, mental health challenges, or spiritual disconnection. His experience demonstrates that divine intervention can occur even in our darkest moments and that the prayers of others can literally save lives in ways we may never fully understand. If you're currently facing your own battles with addiction or despair, his testimony provides evidence that transformation is possible regardless of how hopeless your circumstances might appear.

For those who have family members or friends struggling with similar challenges, Landon's story offers encouragement to continue praying and supporting loved ones even when you can't see immediate results. The prayers you offer may be creating spiritual protection and intervention that won't become apparent until much later. Don't underestimate the power of consistent, heartfelt prayer on behalf of those you love, even when their circumstances seem to be getting worse rather than better.