Porter Rockwell: A Man for a Specific Season

Summary of the 2016 Sons of Utah Pioneers Lecture (Murray Chapter)

In 2016, the Murray chapter of the National Society of the Sons of Utah Pioneers hosted a lecture focused on the life and legacy of Orrin Porter Rockwell—bodyguard, frontiersman, and one of the most legendary figures in early Latter-day Saint history. The presenter, a descendant of Rockwell himself, offered both historical insight and family lore in an engaging, humorous, and heartfelt presentation.

🎥 Watch the full lecture here:

Key Highlights from the Lecture

• Early Years & Lifelong Loyalty to Joseph Smith
• Porter Rockwell was born in 1813 and grew up near the Smith family in upstate New York.
• Despite being nearly eight years younger than Joseph Smith, Porter and Joseph formed a powerful bond.
• Rockwell was the third person baptized into the newly formed Church of Christ in 1830.
• He contributed to the publication of the Book of Mormon by gathering and selling berries and donating the proceeds, though he never learned to read.

A Life of Sacrifice and Violence

• Porter married young and sought to build a peaceful life as a farmer and entrepreneur in Missouri.
• His farm was destroyed by mobs, a formative trauma that set the tone for his armed and vigilant future.
• He followed the Saints through Missouri, Nauvoo, and eventually to Utah, often serving as a muscle, scout, and protector.

The Boggs Assassination Accusation

• Porter was accused (but never convicted) of attempting to assassinate Governor Lilburn Boggs.
• His 9-month imprisonment without formal charges was filled with abuse, starvation, escape attempts, and ridicule.
• Upon release, he traveled over 50 miles on foot to reunite with Joseph Smith on Christmas Eve in Nauvoo.

Prophecy and Service

• Joseph Smith is recorded to have prophesied that “if you remain true and faithful, you need fear no enemy. Cut not your hair and bullet nor blade shall harm thee.”
• Rockwell took this prophecy seriously, famously refusing to cut his hair—except once to make a wig for a sick widow of Don Carlos Smith.
• He became Smith’s bodyguard and enforcer and helped defend the Saints during some of their darkest hours.

Frontier Legend & Controversy

• After Smith’s death, Rockwell continued to serve Brigham Young and the Church, albeit on the fringes.
• He worked as a lawman, scout, bartender, mail carrier, and enforcer, while also owning multiple businesses and properties.
• His reputation grew as both folk hero and feared killer, often accused of violence he didn’t commit simply because of his name.

Faith, Family, and Death

• Despite a rough life—including divorce, poverty, and tragedy—Porter remarried twice and had over a dozen children.
• He was known for his fierce loyalty, faith in Joseph Smith, and readiness to fight for justice.
• He died in 1878 of a heart attack. His funeral was eulogized by Joseph F. Smith and caused controversy for praising him as a saint.

Takeaways from the Speaker

The presenter, a Rockwell descendant, emphasized that:

Much of what is “known” about Rockwell is distorted by folklore or biased reporting.
Porter Rockwell was deeply loyal, exceptionally brave, and a complex man shaped by persecution and hardship.
His legend endures, not just because of what he did—but because of who he was.

“He was never an outlaw. Never convicted of murder. Always acted as a lawman or in defense. Whether he saved your grandpa or shot him might influence how you feel about him.”

Recommended Reading

The speaker suggested the following sources for those interested in learning more:

Man of God, Son of Thunder by Harold Schindler
Porter Rockwell: A Biography by Richard Lloyd Dewey
Porter Rockwell Chronicles (Stories compiled by the speaker’s cousin, John)

Avoid sensationalized novels like Holy Murder and The Destroying Angel