Q&A
with John W. Rockwell
(Porter
Rockwell's Great-Great Grandson):
1)
Why was doing this book project on Porter
Rockwell important to you?
Years ago during lunch with Hal Schindler,
author of the first biography about Rockwell, he
suggested that I write a book of
"stories" about my great-great
grandfather. Also, after every fireside I've
given, people have asked when was I going to
write a book about him. The book fulfills that
obligation.
2) What do you hope readers will gain
from reading the book?
There are many religious leaders of importance
in Mormon history but we have very few
"folk heroes." Porter Rockwell stands
out as one of the most important folk heroes of
Mormonism. The book will, I hope, help the
readers understand him as he was. But more than
that, it is Rockwell's loyalty to Joseph Smith
and the Church that I hope the readers will
remember. He was willing to face any sacrifice,
hardship, and even imprisonment for his faith.
3) What is the biggest misconception
about Porter?
We have allowed Rockwell's antagonists to define
him as "Brigham's Destroying Angel,"
"Chief of the Danites," and "Lord
High Executioner of the Church" in their
attempt to discredit the Church. None of these
titles is an accurate portrait of Rockwell. He
was a defender of his Church and its people
during a time when the Church's enemies were
willing to "exterminate" and destroy
those whom he protected. Yet he was a religious
man, a family man, a rancher, and businessman.
His friends were both Mormon and Gentile and he
defended both!
4) What kind of research have you done
over the years on him?
I have been giving lectures and firesides about
Porter for nearly 30 years. During that time I
have collected unpublished stories about him,
folktale about him, and documents concerning
him. It is unfortunate that he never left us his
own story. Prior to his death in 1878, he asked
the wife of his friend, Shadrack Roundy
(Elizabeth), to write his life story as he
dictated it to her. It is not know if it ever
happened and if it did it has never been found.
Elizabeth did write a letter to the Church
telling that she was asked to write his story
and in that letter she included some of the
stories of his life. A resent search at the
Church Historian's Office failed to locate the
letter.
5) What is your favorite story about
Porter?
Every aspect of Porter's life is of interest to
me and I included most of those stories in the
book. One story does stand out that gives us
deeper understanding of the friendship between
Porter and the Prophet Joseph Smith. After the
death of the Prophet, Porter happened to meet
with Joseph Smith III, then about 14 years old.
With tears in his eyes, Porter told they boy,
"Oh, Joseph, Joseph. They killed the only
friend I ever had." They had been friends
since their youth in Manchester and Palmyra. The
Prophet Joseph had a deep and lasting affect on
many individuals during his short life, but none
more profound and lasting than upon Porter.
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Stories
from the Life of Porter Rockwell
By
John W. Rockwell & Jerry Borrowman
Stories
from the Life of Porter Rockwell is not a
comprehensive biography, nor is it fiction. It
is a collection of accounts about Porter
Rockwell that provide insight into his
character, his incredible physical stamina and
skill, and his devotion to the restored gospel
of Jesus Christ. While others of his time acted
differently than he, his life was a legitimate
and lawful response to the world in which he
lived. These are the stories that his
contemporaries found significant.
ALSO AVAILABLE:
Stories from the Life of Porter Rockwell
DVD: When Orrin Porter Rockwell died of
a heart attack in 1878, his name was as well
known as Brigham Young's. Cowboys sang songs
about him, and newspapers had frequently printed
scandalous accounts about the malicious Mormon
"destroying angel." But to many,
Rockwell was a guardian angel, and it could be
easily said he saved far more lives than he
took. It seems history tells two contrasting
narratives about one of the West's most
controversial men. In this insightful and
entertaining DVD you will come to know and
better understand this colorful figure from
Church history.
Stories from the Life of Porter Rockwell
Talk on CD (by John W. Rockwell): Who
was Orrin Porter Rockwell? He's been called an
outlaw. He's also been called a Saint, a man
whose life is "a worthy example for members
of the Church." To some he was a dedicated
friend and to others, a dangerous enemy.
Although his death by natural causes likely
disappointed the many outlaws seeking his life,
it also fulfilled a prophecy given by Joseph
Smith that no bullet or blade would ever harm
Porter Rockwell.
In this fascinating fireside discussion, John
Rockwell examines the life and the legends
surrounding Porter Rockwell. As one of Porter's
great-great-grandsons, John Rockwell has spent
decades studying the life of his ancestor and
loves nothing more than telling a good Rockwell
story. Find out which stories are based on facts
and which ones may have been stretched a bit
over the years with each retelling.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"I was taken in by Porter Rockwell
right away. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. From
the cover to the textured pages and rustic
looking pictures, Porter Rockwell is a good
read. The book kept me engaged and interested to
turn to the next page. I am not a real fast
reader, and I was able to knock this book out in
a weekend at a leisurely pace. That is very
satisfying. Each story is well narrated and
interesting. The authors provide great insight
and add a personal touch because of their link
to Porter Rockwell. What a fascinating man he
was! I had no idea how close he was to the
Prophet Joseph Smith and that made reading the
book all the more captivating to me."
-Todd Handley
"I started reading the Stories from the
Life of Porter Rockwell Sunday afternoon
and couldn’t put it down, finishing it one
day. I like how it shined a new light on Church
history, particularly the intimate relationship
that Porter Rockwell had with Joseph Smith. The
original stories made it feel like an
undiscovered treasure where I couldn’t wait to
get to the next one. I enthusiastically
recommend this to readers of all ages. I plan to
give it to all my brothers and family members. I
loved the book—it was awesome.”
-Greg Jeppsen
"I am now reading [Jerry Borrowman's] most
recent book, Stories from the Life of Porter
Rockwell. I love the way this book is
written with each chapter dealing with a
particular event in early Church history. I have
never known much about Porter Rockwell, so this
is very informative."
-Diane Buckwalter
RECIPE: OUTLAW SALSA DIP
Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
Juice of 1 lemon or lime
1 (11 oz.) jar salsa
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded monterey jack or cheddar cheese
15-18 pitted black olives, chopped
1 bunch scallions
1 cup chopped tomatoes
Directions:
1) Mash avocados with juice
2) Spread in bottom of 7x11 inch glass pan
3) Drain salsa, then mix with sour cream and
spread over avocado
4) Sprinkle cheese, olives, scallions and
tomatoes over top of salsa mixture
*Can be prepared the day before
Jerry
Borrowman & John Rockwell will be Doug
Wright's guests on
Everyday Lives, Everyday Values this Sunday
(May 16) at 9 a.m. on KSL Radio (102.7 FM).
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