The Power of Porter

Since my accident, being healed is obviously something I’ve longed for and prayed for. During these past few years, I have seen so many blessings and miracles, but my diagnosis remains the same. Only recently have I come to understand that I HAVE been healed. “I love this idea that there is a difference between healing and curing. Curing usually returns us to our previous state of wellness, which is what we long for, but healing is different. Healing incorporates that old wound, making us a different person. Even the Savior of the world, as a resurrected being, retained the wounds in His hands, feet, and side. This is evidence that He will never forget us and that with His stripes we are healed. Tonight, maybe you're feeling broken and aren't sure you will experience His healing, but is that true? Every Sunday during the sacrament, He is lifting you off the dusty road and placing you in the folds of His robe and cradling you in His ample arms... Christ the babe was born for you...

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 ...

I had a couple very intimate and spiritual conversations this week. One with my grandpa, and one with a member of the mission presidency. I was trying to get some insight on some questions I’ve had recently. My questions are many, but ultimately, I want to know that I am where God wants me to be, doing what He wants me to do. These men are full of love for me and for the Lord. They both dramatically strengthened my testimony of the priesthood authority and spiritual guidance that worthy men can have. Here is my message In 3 Nephi 17, we read about Christ’s final moments with the people. Jesus says in verse 7, “Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.” I always imagine myself being brought to and    healed by Jesus. ...

Think of giving or receiving the perfect gift. There is much thought that goes into picking out the perfect gift. The giver always carefully considers the receivers circumstances, wants, and needs. They want the receiver to be happy and appreciate the gift. It is a kind gesture made out of love, so the giver expects the receiver to KEEP and use the gift as intended, always expressing thanks. As the receiver of a gift, we are to KEEP the gift and use it as it was intended. We are to show our gratitude and respect to the giver. Regifting, changing, selling, or throwing the gift away is rude and unappreciative.  Now think of God’s commandments. He is the perfect gift giver. His commandments are gifts, given out of His perfect love for each and every one of us. We are asked to KEEP them. Not follow them. Not change them. KEEP them. Cherish them. Appreciate them. Thank Him for them. Treat them like you would a gift. God’s commandments are the best gift you will ever receive, given out o...

Lucifer: Meaning "light-bringer" or "morning star," this name reflects his initial exalted status. Satan: After his rebellion, Lucifer became known as Satan, meaning "adversary" or "accuser," signifying his role in opposition to God and humanity. The Devil: This title underscores his malevolent nature as the chief enemy of God’s plan of happiness and the deceiver of mankind. Satan, originally called Lucifer, is a spirit son of God who once held a significant position "in authority in the presence of God." During the Council in Heaven, Lucifer rebelled against God’s plan, proposing to destroy human agency and redeem all souls in exchange for God's glory. Heavenly Father rejected his plan in favor of Jesus Christ, which preserved agency and gave glory to God. Enraged, Lucifer led a rebellion, persuading a third of the hosts of heaven to follow him. As a result, they were cast out of heaven, losing their chance to receive physical bodi...

A message for all, but particularly missionaries and those struggling to find happiness. During an English Chat session this week, I met an amazing woman. She lives in Kenya. She is a single mother of three, a student at BYU Idaho online, and she works full time to provide for her family. She cooks and cleans every meal. Her husband left the church and their little family. She stands alone as the only convert to the church in her family. She and her three children walk 2 miles both ways every week to attend their branch, where she teaches Sunday school. She is a worthy temple recommend holder who lives hours from the nearest temple, to which she’s never even been. She is so humble, kind, and happy.  During our conversation, I asked her this question. “If you could be anywhere in the world doing anything you wanted, where would you be and what would you be doing?” I imagined her saying that she would want to be on a beautiful tropical beach somewhere reading a good book and sippin a...

In the heat of the Civil War, a 19 year old Union soldier fell asleep during his guard duty. A whole flank of the army was killed on his watch. The just penalty for his mistake was death. The boy, having lost friends and many fellow soldiers, felt this was what he deserved. He was subject to the law of justice.   President Lincoln was ready to sign the warrant for his execution. The soldier’s sweet mother, having lost her husband and one by one all five of her other children to the war, pleaded for him to forgive the penalty. Her heart couldn’t bear to lose her last child. He was all she had left. President Lincoln, having compassion on the grief-stricken mother, pardoned the young soldier. Not for the soldiers sake, but for the mother’s sake.  I love this story. It is such a good example of how mercy outweighs justice. The atonement is crucial to God’s plan. It had to be Jehovah. He is the beloved Son. He loves and is loved by all things He created. Jesus Christ suffered and ...

Doctrine and Covenants 4:7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen. We are all familiar with this concept taught in the scriptures. We sometimes mistakenly think this means that God will always give us the blessing or answer we are looking for. Let me share a story.  A good friend of mine told me that his little boy was awake in the night throwing up. He pleaded with God to just help him sleep through the night. God is so powerful, and this was such a small thing that would help his family so much in that moment. His child proceeded to throw up multiple times that night.  We all pray for things like this. Of course he loves his child and wants him to be healthy. So does God. So why did it feel like God didn’t answer his prayer?  A few scriptures to help D&C 88  63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 64 Whatsoever...

I was able to go up to the cabin for our family reunion as a missionary! I love Montana. I love my family. I am so grateful for the knowledge and testimonies of Christ and His church that we all share. We, as members of His true and living church, really are the luckiest people on Earth. Families are central to God’s plan. They can be rough sometimes, and no family is perfect, but that’s the way they are intended to be. We are given families to help us become more like Christ. He is the perfect example. Strive to emulate Him in all your interactions, but especially your family. Honor your parents. Love your siblings, in-laws, and all others as yourself. Charity is the key. Pray for it. God is listening.  

In a leadership meeting, a Sister shared her experience of transferring from a proselyting mission to a service mission. She was originally serving in California and was having an extremely hard time. She wanted to go home but felt like that would make her a failure. Returning home from a mission is a hard and scary thing. She was stressed, afraid, and unsure what to do. A general authority came to speak in her mission. He was informed that she was struggling and he wanted to meet with her. She told him what was going on. He kindly looked her in the eyes and as he spoke, it wasn’t his voice she heard. She felt as though God was speaking directly to her through this man. He told her it was okay for her to return home. She cried as she heard exactly what she needed to hear. from her Father in heaven. She no longer had fear or anxiety about going home. She knew God wouldn’t be disappointed and that everything would be okay. She now loves her service mission and has realized that this is e...

People tell me that they love my posts and look forward to them. This has made me feel the need to write something awesome every week, which has caused me to feel a little overwhelmed and is the reason I didn’t write one last week. From now on, I will not miss another week, and I apologize if you are disappointed, but I realized the point isn’t to wow everyone every week. So everyone lower your future expectations haha.   I have had an amazing couple of weeks. We spent the weekend of the fourth up at the cabin, and it was a blast. Literally. I had an amazing conversation with Mark Durham, who is a relative of mine. I don’t know very many people who are as close to the spirit as he is. He is color blind and has learned to mix colors and paint using only THE SPIRIT to guide him to the correct colors and mixtures. So amazing. He has served as a bishop, mission president, and is currently a patriarch. He was a successful businessman and has a strong faithful family. I hope I am just li...