The Power of Porter

I hate secrets. I’m not talking about surprises or sacred things. I am talking about drama that makes people feel left out and self conscious; lies that cause division, doubt, fear, sadness, and regret. The scriptures speak often of one who always works in secret. The father of all lies. The great bully. One who thrives in secret combinations. Why does he thrive in secret? it’s simple: Deception cannot withstand exposure. Darkness cannot withstand light. There is another individual, spoken of much more frequently throughout scripture, who is the Word himself. The Light, the Truth, and the Life. The Prince of Peace. He is an open book. His doctrine is plain. His works are visible for all to see. He said, “I spake openly to the world; and in secret have I said nothing.” (John 18:20). Truth never needs to be hidden. Light never needs to be concealed. Jesus loves us perfectly and wants more than anything for us to follow Him in the way of truth and light and life. Nobody left behind. There...

Imagine standing alone in absolute darkness. You can see nothing. Your heart beats faster, your breath becomes shallow, and your mind starts to race with unseen dangers. Fear, worry, and doubt cause you to want to shrink. You reach out, but there is nothing. Only emptiness and uncertainty. In that moment, what you long for most is simple :  light.  Why are we scared of the dark? It’s simple. Darkness doesn’t have an origin. The definition of darkness is literally the absence of light. This is why Satan is so closely associated with darkness. He cannot generate darkness the way God generates light. Instead, he works by removing, blocking, or distorting light and truth.  The Lord said “I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (D&C 93:2) We are all filled with the light of Christ, which is why we naturally seek truth, goodness, and clarity. The light of Christ brings understanding and assurance, while darkness brings confusion and fear. As...

I want to share an experience that completely changed the way I think about this life. This is a deeply personal and sensitive subject, but I will be vulnerable and hope this message resonates with someone out there. My family went on a hike, and I was sitting alone in the car. I wasn’t sad or upset at all. In fact, I was happy to stay behind and spend some time studying. I’d rather they enjoy the hike without me than miss out because of me. While they were gone, I had time to reflect on something my mom asked me earlier that day. We had been talking about the “what ifs” of skydiving. What if the parachute doesn’t work? What if I’m not strapped in right? In an effort to make my brothers laugh, I jokingly said, “I hope it happens.” But deep down, a part of me genuinely wanted it. That part of me feels like a burden, like my death would be freeing. Not just freeing for me, but for everyone I love. In my mind, it seemed like a way to escape my future that I fear, the limitations of my bod...

A small wave during low tide. You reach desperately to wash away the footprints of the world, but can never erase the imprints of guilt and regret on your own. Due to your nature, you are forever too weak, no matter how hard you try. But do not despair, for there is an infinite and eternal source of water on your side, always within your reach. You are important to the ocean, and every little wave’s cry is heard. If you follow the Master ocean and repent, the healing high tide will come. In the promised and wise timing of the Great waters, every hole, no matter how big, will be washed away. Perfected. As if it were never there. The ocean will not remember the imprints, and all guilt and regret are completely gone. All sin, all afflictions, all infirmities, all weakness, all imperfections, and even death itself is overcome by the Holy ocean. Forever. This is an unchanging truth. Never give up, little wave, and never forget who you belong to.  

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...