The Sand and the Silence- Book One – Chapter One Introduction

Book One – Chapter One Introduction

Hey everyone —

This is the first video in a brand-new series where I’ll be walking you through the story behind my upcoming book project:
Book One of A Temple in the Dust.

This is more than just a standalone book — it’s the beginning of a much larger series. One that follows the journey of Elias Philip — a combat veteran, husband, father, and spiritual seeker — as he navigates the long road from war… back to life.

Today, I want to share a glimpse into Chapter One.

Chapter One is called “The Sand and the Silence.”

It begins in Northern Iraq in 2005, during a tense patrol in the desert. You’re dropped right into the heat, the silence, and war tension. And you meet Elias — a Cavalry Scout in the 82nd Airborne — positioned in the turret of a gun truck, watching a suspicious vehicle approach fast from the rear.

And in those final seconds — with a life-or-death choice barreling toward him — Elias has to act. That moment becomes a turning point, not just for the mission, but for who he will become.

The chapter also takes you back to Fort Benning, where Elias first joined the military, and you begin to see how trauma, doubt, brotherhood, and faith are all threads woven into his story.

This isn’t a war story told to glorify combat. It’s a story about the invisible wounds that soldiers carry home — and the long, spiritual road to healing.

So again, this is Book One in a much larger series — a profoundly human and spiritual journey that spans years of pain, faith, growth, family, and purpose.

Along the way, I’ll share step-by-step what it takes to promote a book like this from the ground up. So, if you’re a reader, a veteran, a writer, or someone who just wants to follow the journey, thank you for being here.

In the following video, I’ll dive into Chapter Two and what happens after that desert road.

This is just the beginning. Stick around.

In Christ, love ❤️ Jared W Campbell- love ❤️ you, Heather Campbell

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