Keith Redford as "The Destroying Angel"
During the summer of 2007 I found myself at Scout Camp. As a new Scoutmaster I felt a combination of a sense of duty to detail and completely overwhelmed. In the Mormon Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the job of Scoutmaster is a calling. The weight of responsibility for my scouts personal growth was something I took seriously.
Each evening at our camp campfire we had a guest come into camp. Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and Capt. Moroni were a few. These guests were there to inspire and uplift the boys to realize their duties as scouts and as young Priesthood holders. Our desire was to mold these young men into great leaders by building their character. A scout camp campfire is an opportunity to do just that in a setting where the boys will actually pay attention. |
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One evening, one of our guests came in and introduced himself as Porter Rockwell. Although entertaining, the performance left much to be desired in its authenticity and left me with an uneasy feeling that Porter's name needed to be honored in a different way. As I went throughout the rest of the camp I couldn't shake this feeling. As with most men in the church, I had heard of Porter and even knew a few facts/myths about the man.
The following week as I discussed scout camp with my wife, Porter came up in conversation more than once. I finally said that I could do a better performance and she told me “Do it. You would probably enjoy it.”
This began a continuing search into not only the facts of this man but also into his character. If I was going to portray Porter Rockwell I wanted to do it in such a way that would not only inspire but to bring honor to his name. I began my research on line. I quickly realized that Porter is as controversial today as he was in his day. I finally decided to read “Porter Rockwell” a biography by Richard Lloyd Dewey, followed by “Orrin Porter Rockwell, Man of God/ Son of Thunder” by Harold Schindler. As I read these books, I did my best to approach this task prayerfully. I was interested in knowing the man Porter without the myth.
By spring of the following year an amazing thing began to occur. It seamed that the more I studied, the more his presence was felt. Props, guns, costuming seemed to show up with little effort on my part.
My first performance was at a Fathers and Sons outing. I was amazed at how naturally everything seemed to flow. I/Porter came into the camp fire and talked about the restoration of the priesthood and that it was through that very priesthood that his life was preserved. Porter's testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith became emotional when he described Joseph as his best friend. That was the first time I had ever felt such a strong connection with him.
That summer my wife and I went to Ogden Utah for a mission reunion. We were excited about the trip and looked forward to getting away from the Mesa Arizona heat. Apparently there were several missions having reunions and we found nearly every hotel full. As we drove around wondering where we were going to spend the night, we found ourselves at the Hotel Rockwell in Lehi Utah. At the time, The Hotel Rockwell was owned by the same gentleman who owned Porters Place a steak house devoted to Porter Rockwell.
After the reunion we visited his grave and a few other church sites. It was as if that weekend we were being guided to see “all things Porter.”
On our trip home, Porter seemed to come up in our conversations at every turn. The following week it seemed as if his presence could be felt in our home.
From there more invitations to portray Porter came rather quickly, especially during spring. In our home, spring through summer became known as Porter season. As performances grew, so did the size of the audiences and complexity of the performance. Simple talks around the camp fire, turned into gun play, to get the crowd’s attention, and horsemanship, as Porter came riding into camp. Both skills I never knew I had.
Playing Porter for dinner theater or stage, is both an honor and a thrill. It allows me to reach large audiences and yet discuss his adventures in an intimate setting.
Known for many things by many people, most would agree that Porter was hospitable, and lived larger than life. It is with this spirit that we invite you to our shows so you can also have the Porter Rockwell experience.
The following week as I discussed scout camp with my wife, Porter came up in conversation more than once. I finally said that I could do a better performance and she told me “Do it. You would probably enjoy it.”
This began a continuing search into not only the facts of this man but also into his character. If I was going to portray Porter Rockwell I wanted to do it in such a way that would not only inspire but to bring honor to his name. I began my research on line. I quickly realized that Porter is as controversial today as he was in his day. I finally decided to read “Porter Rockwell” a biography by Richard Lloyd Dewey, followed by “Orrin Porter Rockwell, Man of God/ Son of Thunder” by Harold Schindler. As I read these books, I did my best to approach this task prayerfully. I was interested in knowing the man Porter without the myth.
By spring of the following year an amazing thing began to occur. It seamed that the more I studied, the more his presence was felt. Props, guns, costuming seemed to show up with little effort on my part.
My first performance was at a Fathers and Sons outing. I was amazed at how naturally everything seemed to flow. I/Porter came into the camp fire and talked about the restoration of the priesthood and that it was through that very priesthood that his life was preserved. Porter's testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith became emotional when he described Joseph as his best friend. That was the first time I had ever felt such a strong connection with him.
That summer my wife and I went to Ogden Utah for a mission reunion. We were excited about the trip and looked forward to getting away from the Mesa Arizona heat. Apparently there were several missions having reunions and we found nearly every hotel full. As we drove around wondering where we were going to spend the night, we found ourselves at the Hotel Rockwell in Lehi Utah. At the time, The Hotel Rockwell was owned by the same gentleman who owned Porters Place a steak house devoted to Porter Rockwell.
After the reunion we visited his grave and a few other church sites. It was as if that weekend we were being guided to see “all things Porter.”
On our trip home, Porter seemed to come up in our conversations at every turn. The following week it seemed as if his presence could be felt in our home.
From there more invitations to portray Porter came rather quickly, especially during spring. In our home, spring through summer became known as Porter season. As performances grew, so did the size of the audiences and complexity of the performance. Simple talks around the camp fire, turned into gun play, to get the crowd’s attention, and horsemanship, as Porter came riding into camp. Both skills I never knew I had.
Playing Porter for dinner theater or stage, is both an honor and a thrill. It allows me to reach large audiences and yet discuss his adventures in an intimate setting.
Known for many things by many people, most would agree that Porter was hospitable, and lived larger than life. It is with this spirit that we invite you to our shows so you can also have the Porter Rockwell experience.