Why does a man who died more than 120 years ago still cause such a reaction?

We "love" our western heroes. Think of all the other western gunmen we are still interested in and the movies are still made about them. Today we can only dream of being that type of man. That, in part, answers the question. On the other hand, for anti-Mormons, Porter is a way to attack the Church.

In stores today! Stories from the Life of Porter Rockwell (by John Rockwell and Jerry Borrowman) is available today at Seagull Book, Deseret Book and other LDS bookstores.

Companion DVD and audio talk by John also available. Book synopsis is below:

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 easily be said that he saved far more lives than he took. It seems history tells two contrasting narratives about one of the West's most controversial men. Yes, at times Porter Rockwell could act violently, yet he was overly generous to those in need. At least two dozen people died at his hand, yet in every instance he was exonerated. As the ninth person baptized into the restored Church, Porter was central to the early growth of the Church, even though he was never called to a position of leadership. He was called a saint and a sinner, a lawman and a criminal, a hero and a villain. Indians feared him, saying he was impossible to kill, but some people traveled hundreds of miles to try. 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. A friend of Joseph Smith's since childhood and later his bodyguard, Rockwell saved the life of the Prophet more than once. Porter also served as a bodyguard to Brigham Young and helped guide the first pioneers across the plains to the Salt Lake valley. He became a legend as a frontiersman, a marksman, and a man of iron nerve. And though many outsiders characterized Porter Rockwell as a notorious, vengeful murderer, those who knew him saw a protector, a miraculous healer, and a loyal friend.

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.

Q: Most people think Porter operated outside the law: shooting people as he saw fit. Is this correct?

No - he was the law! He was a deputy marshal for Utah. So, if you were an outlaw you feared him and if you were not and outlaw you would view him as we do officers of the law today. The "loose cannon" view of Porter comes only from the antimormon myths of his day that have been perpetuated up until now.

-John Rockwell

Q: What is the story of Porter's long, uncut hair and beard?

After spending nine months in a Missouri jail for a crime he did not commit (the shooting of former Gov. Lilburn Boggs), Porter made his way to Nauvoo. He "crashed" Joseph Smith's Christmas party at the Mansion House. No one recognized him. The guards couldn't throw him out so, the Prophet tried to and finally recognized him.
He then asked Porter to tell the story of his capture, imprisonment, and escape to Nauvoo. After the story telling, the Prophet gave Porter a blessing, promising that as long as he was true to his covenants, his God, the Church, and his people "no bullet or blade" would ever kill him. That meant than no man could kill him. As a token of the blessing he was never to cut his hair nor his beard. He was also given the power of healing.

-John W. Rockwell

Q: Was Porter a polygamist?

Porter never was a polygamist. He had three wives. His first wife was Luana Bebee who divorced him in Nauvoo. His second wife was Mary Ann Neff (the one I descend through) died in childbirth. His last wife was Christine Olsen and she outlived him.

-John W. Rockwell

Porter Rockwell on YouTube ...

Check out clip from new DVD - Stories from the Life of Porter Rockwell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWCh9nrGCV4

Q: What is the biggest misconception about Porter Rockwell?

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!

-John Rockwell, Great-Great Grandson of Porter Rockwell