The Power of Porter

Covenants are often described as a two way promise. Marriage is an example of a two way promise. Can you describe everything involved in a marriage or in a covenant by simply boiling it down to a two way promise? No! This can cause covenants to be seen as a cold contract. A contract is transactional, while covenant relationships are transformational. I am so grateful for my covenants and how my relationship with Christ has  transformed me. I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who forgives me every time I repent. There is a common misconception that if you’re going to sin, you are better off not making covenants. Who is better off without a closer relationship with Christ? We need His hand in ours. We need His power in our lives. If prepared and worthy, we are always better off connected to Christ through covenants. All friendships and relationships, as we know them on Earth, can be developed and are subject to change. People change, betray, lie, sin, and cheat. There is o...

When I was set apart, I was promised that I would have opportunities to preach the restored gospel and witness people’s baptisms.  Over the past couple of months, I was able to teach Sawyer the lessons to help her prepare for baptism. On Friday, I had the privilege of watching her be baptized by her father, and participated in her confirmation. I cried through the whole night. There is a very real spirit that comes when a worthy priesthood holder stands in the font with one who is prepared to make covenants with God. True power comes into their life as they enter the gate to the covenant path. What follows is always a tangible feeling of love and light as he lays his hands upon their head and gives them the gift of the Holy Ghost. Baptism and confirmation are so amazing. I love the spirit that they bring. I know baptism is necessary for exaltation. Sawyer is so sweet and I am so grateful for the Larsen family and our friendship. I am extra grateful this week for my covenants with G...

So many miracles. My friend Elder Bell transferred to the service mission a while ago due to costochondritis. Once that was resolved, he was eager to get back out teaching, but ended up staying here longer than expected. I talked with him, prayed, and even fasted for him. One day, I was thinking about him and his situation. I said a prayer for him, and a couple minutes later, he walked in the room with good news. He told me that he officially got cleared to go back to Scotland. It was an answer to my prayer, and I was so filled with joy for him. I am so grateful for Elder Bell. For the friend and person that he is. I know I was meant to be here for him. I am so thankful that I was able to spend that short time serving beside him. Go kill it in Scotland brother❤️

1 YEAR AGO I WAS SET APART AS A MISSIONARY I can’t believe it’s already been a year. I literally never want to be released. I tell everyone who asks about my mission that I absolutely love it and just want to be a missionary forever. I have had more spiritual experiences in the past year than my entire life before my mission combined (x100). There is no greater joy than missionary work. No greater joy than having the Spirit as a constant companion. Being a set apart representative of Jesus Christ is life changing, I believe for eternity. If you’re on the fence about serving, considering being released, or think there’s anything that can be even remotely as beneficial for you as service, get your butt off the fence. Satan owns the fence. This seriously has been the best 12 months of my life. I know I will miss it.  I have learned and grown so so much in every way. Hopefully I have adequately shared with you some of my growth already. Here are some questions to consider: What is my t...

I have heard this all my life, but how is knowledge power?  Joseph Smith taught these truths: “Knowledge does away with darkness, suspense and doubt; for these cannot exist where knowledge is. … In knowledge there is power. God has more power than all other beings, because He has greater knowledge; and hence He knows how to subject all other beings to Him. He has power over all.” There are many other teachings on knowledge. It can help us resist temptation, provide us with an advantage in the next life, and help us bring others to Christ. I just want to share a couple of ways my knowledge has given me power.  My knowledge allows me to live with faith, knowing my “adversity and afflictions shall be but a small moment.” No fear, doubt, or darkness can prevail. I am comforted by the knowledge of my King, Savior, Redeemer, and Advocate who loves me. I know He suffered and died for me. I know that through the atonement, I can be forgiven if I repent. I know He lives. I know He know...

A man shared with me an experience he had in the temple. Someone in his session mentioned that they could feel a strong presence of those who had already passed. This man prayed and prayed to feel their presence but felt nothing. Thoughts then flooded in of comparison. I’m not good enough. I’m not worthy. God must not love me. I wasn’t sure what to share with this man but here are some of the thoughts I shared with him and will now share with you.  First and foremost, due to our human foibles, at times we mistakenly think that He (God) is not, He does not, or He will not. I testify that God IS there, He SEES and KNOWS us, and He ANSWERS our prayers.  I shared with this man a very similar experience I had. I was alone in the celestial room just praying to hear His voice or feel His presence or love or anything. Ultimately, praying for a sign I knew I didn’t need. I felt, heard, and saw nothing.  I then shared with this man an experience I had while doing sealings a couple ...