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