A story about the history of the wild West, without deliberately demonizing Mormons?? I can’t believe it! Well done. Finally, an unbiased history channel worth trusting. Subscribed
Some stories attributed to Porter Rockwell are probably apocryphal. I suppose you skipped those as unverified. Two of my favorites: 1) It is said that he denied the attempted assassination of Gov. Boggs by saying, "If it was me, I wouldn't have missed." 2) A mounted gunfighter challenged Rockwell, who was exiting a building at the time, by saying, "I heard you couldn't be killed. I'm here to test that theory" as he pointed his revolver at Rockwell. Rockwell responded, "If you're planning on shooting me with that pistol, you'd better make sure you have a loaded chamber." That made the gunfighter doubt his weapon. He took his eyes off Rockwell just long enough to check his weapon -- long enough for Rockwell to draw and fire, killing the assailant. I have the greatest respect for Porter Rockwell who should only be judged based on the times in which he lived and not by modern standards. There seem to be no stories associated with him that suggest he ever hunted or killed anyone who didn't "need killin'," just as he declared.
No Ron,Porter is not one based on the times he lived in.Do you respect him as an exemplar of the blood atonement doctrine? You know why he was nicknamed a Danite?Sign of the times to become a lawbreakers?. "There are some sins for which the blood cannot atone,apostacy&lying to the prophet...so that you were to dig your own grave&dress in white&have your neck cut from ear to ear by a high priest&or Rockwell or Hickman,or Lot Smith. Pretty cheap blood shed of my Lord&Savior". The atonement fully covers all&everything you committed,it's called penal substitution friend.Calvary covers it all,Jesus paid a debt He didn't owe&we with Rockwell owed one we couldn't pay. However until Gary Gilmore Utah still had death by firing squad. Let's get our priorities right,please trust Him before you enter eternity. Alma34:33/Hebrews9:27😅
Really was a nice non-biased video, just sticking to facts. Though a bit more to their reunion after the trial, Joseph Smith himself grab Porter and was about to throw him out until he recognized him, that's when Porter was told as long as he didn't cut his hair he would never be harmed. another note, 1 things I learned from the Mormon-Missouri War; Never give up guns, especially when one has to worry about state supported mob violence.
And if Porter Rockwell and Brigham Young were alive today, because of their long hair and beards, they would not be allowed to attend Brigham Young University!
My husband's grandmother hated Porter as when her uncle's were young men they stole some horses. Porter found them and dumped their dead, shot through bodies in the yard of their mother and told her to do a better job raising the rest of her children. Porter wasn't wrong.
Stealing a man's horse stole his livelihood and threatened his survival in the western plains. Plus the cost of the horse, along with the saddle and gear, could bankrupt the owner.
If this account is accurate, it is an amazing story about a man to be respected. I sold life insurance with an office full of Mormons in 1983. Great people....great conviction. The sales manager was a Mormon Bishop. I am not of that religion but I respect men and women of honor. Life insurance is not an easy sale to close. The best sales folks in life insurance are those who have strong family convicctions and want to make sure their loved ones are safe. Be well, all....
I grew up in Jackson county and also never heard of him. I did grow up hearing about Cole Younger as he was buried in my home town of Lees Summit, Missouri. When i return to the states i plan to call the county commissioner's office and ask why there is nothing heard of this man.
What a badass. Underrated Wild West legend for sure. I’m not an active LDS person anymore but I have a bunch of admiration for some of the saints especially Rockwell
While Porter Rockwell was well known as a skilled rifleman, he was also known to carry a cut down Colt 1860 Army revolver and was reputed to be just as deadly with that belly gun.
@@jeffadams9807 I saw the gun. It reminds me of a guy so fast as soon as you recognized him you had two bullets in you. I think Porter Rockwell was in this class.
Yes I know about Porter Rockwell..Knows as the Avenging Angel . He w as , still is, a ledgend. I live in country Victoria & I heard about Porter , Louis I'mours book , Bendigo Sharhtor Gav Walsh Cohuna Australia
@@ryanclark3967 because you are following a liar! That’s why it’s bad! No free thinking! You literally follow a guy who had to look into his hat to read gods word! As my dad always said! Pull your head out of your ass and look around!
This was a pretty fair recounting of the history too. I am a mormon who grew up in missouri, the morality of the politics of the time aside, the history happened. The executive extermination order was even active on the books until the 1980's. I can appreciate this Legends of the West channel for a remarkably objective retell
Never heard this story before, thank you from Australia.. What a great voice and story teller you are, I wonder if there was ever a movie made about this remarkable man's life?
“G’day”John. Thanks for commenting and dropping in all the way from Australia! Someone commented earlier about a movie about Porter. We aren’t sure but if they made one we would definitely go see it!
@@LegendsoftheWest I'll jump in too as I'm also from South Australia and I'm fascinated with stories about the wild west. I agree with old mate that this is a great spoken story with good illustrations. Good work. O.M.River
@@richardbarrow4620 My next door neighbors are Mormons. The best neighbors I have ever had. We trade vegetables and they love my jerky. I will see if they have a copy I can borrow. Thanks.
@@muthrfuqrjonz3530 So I found a 2 part RUclips video on this subject. Several descendants of people that were directly involved were on this comment section going back and forth. Still to this day it is highly debated subject. Some of the information these people were discussing you will not in history books. Thank you.
You left out one of the best confirmed stories. After the promise from joseph smith that no bullet nor blade could harm him if he remained faithful and did not cut his hair. Later on when he was in California, he met the widow of joseph smith’s brother. She had lost all her hair due to a disease. Knowing the potential consequences and how many men wanted him dead, he did not hesitate before cutting all his own hair off to make a wig for her.
A great uncle, Smallwood Valentine Noland of Independence Missouri was shot off his horse while crossing the Blue River by a Mormon armed group. He floated down the river for some distance and survived. Ironically, he later was a peace commissioner between those in Independence and the Mormons, allowing the Mormons to leave without harassment. Noland's home in Independence, Missouri was built in the early 1840's still stands and is on the historic register. Some of my closest friends today are LDS!
My grandmother always referred to Porter as 'Uncle Port' as he would visit her grandfather's home when her father was a child and get down on the floor to play with the children.
One side of my family were Mormons and fled Nauvoo crossing the river into Iowa eventually landing in N Missouri. They made carrot moonshine and farmed a small patch of ground not far from Philadelphia Missouri. As a kid we visited the old homestead, not much left then doubt anything is now. Was a small cave on the Fabius river where they ran their still, we explored it a few times. My great uncle fished a lot of those rivers when I was a kid and he always had to pay his respects when we were in the area.
I read this cartoon of a LDS missionary sheepishly confessing to his mission president, why he got into a fight with his missionary companion. "At first I thought what would the Savior do, and forgave him. Then I remembered what Porter Rockwell would have done, and then I slugged him"
Port has alway been one of my favorite Characters. We had a ward picnic in the park and we hire an actor who was an expert on Port. He told stories for an hour, with his sidearm.
I was raised LDS, and i heard stories of this when i was a child. we used to have something called Pioneer Day where we would have home made bread and jams and freshly hunted and cleaned meat and pretty much live like the pioneers did. I think it lasted the weekend, so it was more than just a day. we'd have camping trips and stuff. i remember stories of Porter Rockwell and was always fascinated by him. "Never killed a man that didn't deserve it" always hit me. Those were tough times back then, and real tough for Mormons. A land built on Religious freedom but turned against a Christian group just because they were different. Those stories still shape the way i view other religions. No one is perfect. Even people of your own faith can be wrong. Hate the sin not the sinner. Teach not Command. Even if i don't attend church or live the way the LDS church suggests, I still feel strong connection to that belief. I know if their is a God and IF any christian faith has to be true, i personally feel like the LDS have it the right way. We make our own path. We choose our own destination.
Thank you. Although i got to say you left us hungry for more on this colorful character. I'm sure there were a heck of a lot of tasty nuggets about this man's life out West
Fact you got wrong. He did cut his hair once. A woman suffered from an illness that caused all her hair to fall out, so he had his hair cut to make a wig for her. That was the only time he cut his hair
@@LegendsoftheWest sorry didn't catch that. But I like your presentation. There's a lot to cover in a short amount of time. Must be hard deciding what to cover and what not to.
@@andrewwood6285 sorry it was for the widow of Joseph's brother Don Carlos. She was living in California at the time. When porter visited her on his visit he found her suffering from diphtheria which caused most if her hair to fall out
Grew up Mormon most my family is devoted.. My father is high up and I'll be asking him about this. I'm personally amazed.. I knew the old west Mormons were no push overs but this is movie material.
I'm related to Porter Rockwell, so I grew up hearing stories about him. Old West Mormons were some of the most dangerous people you could find. Porter also owned several states worth of ranch land.
Thank you. With all the tales and myths about O.P. Rockwell, this was a very good video. Life on the Frontier was harsh. At one of the Frontier forts, after a year, roughly 90% or more of the men had died. Diseases, infections, accidents, starvation, et cetera. When we think of our freedoms, the abundance and benefits we have in America, let us not forget our pioneers.
Nauvoo, under Joseph Smith, was problary the first wild west lawless town. Counterfeiters, thieves, murderers and sex feins (both Mormons & none Mormons) flocked to Nauvoo. Joseph Smith protected them from arrest by passing a law, as Mayor, that no law man could arrest anyone in Nauvoo without his permission. One example is the Colonel Davenport case: Colonel Davenport lived across the river from Nauvoo and it was rumored that he kept alot of money at his home. Mormons did a home invasion of him and killed him & his wife and took money. They then fled back to Nauvoo and Joseph Smith's protection for Joseph Smith was developing a Mormon Army to keep the Feds & lawmen out of Nauvoo. :.
and let us also reflect on how absolutely unnecessary all the suffering and strife was. All we had to do was embrace our native brothers and sisters, share the land and they would have helped us and us them. There would have still been power struggles and eventual destruction of tribes, but nowhere near what would happen. But no, we don't share, we steal and when you have to steal, you have to fight. Stupid arrogance and pride.
Orrin Porter Rockwell Was arrested in Nauvoo Illinois with enough weapons on his person to fire 71 shots without having to reload remember this was in the days of black powder
@@LegendsoftheWest I live in Milton Keynes but was brought up on old westerns in the 90s, never even been to the USA but still it’s kinda nostalgic watching old west documentaries
"I never killed anyone who didn't need killing." (Also used by John Wayne in one of his movie quotes) Absolutely hilarious; classic; the 'good ole' days' of the 1800s and of older "Americana"...
A fellow member told me i remind him of Porter Rockwell. What an awesome compliment. I hope i will not need to fill his shoes in the future. They will come for us again before Christ arrives.
Christ is going to arrive but the Mormons are going to be left out in the cold. Joe Smith was con man, nothing more. And his teachings are blasphemy. Cant help but feel sorry for the people he has brainwashed.
@@davidnewland2461⬅️ witness, they are coming for true Christians now. The rainbow monsters hate Christians. Trying to pass laws that snare believers.
My great-great-great grandpa, Erastus Darwin Meacham, was also a body guard for Joseph Smith, so I assume he knew Porter Rockwell. In my opinion, Porter Rockwell and J. Golden Kimball are two of the most entertaining Mormon historical figures.
I liked the story of how he killed a guy who was pointing a revolver at him. (The only time someone got the jump on Rockwell according to the book) The guy told Rockwell, "I'm going to kill you Rockwell". Rockwell told him, " The only problem with that is, your revolver isn't capped". The guy looked down to check & Rockwell pulled two short barreled Colts out of his pockets & blew the guy off his horse. Great book.
Legend has it that youngsters Bill Cody and Bill Hickock out west came upon Porter Rockwell who stood tall and fierce with his long hair guns and knives, and started from that point on to grow out their own long hair as they saw on Porter...
My brother is High Priest of Mormon Stake here in Montana. I shared this biography with him just now. I'm not member myself but always had Mormon friends and couldn't understand in land of religious freedom, usa could persecute them even by law. Surprised but not shocked for Indian Offenses under federal law clear into 1930s and '40s threw many of my relatives in Leavenworth with rapists, killers, career criminals... for possession of Peace Pipe or having Sweat Lodge etc. Surprise is most Mormons, certainly then, were white and thus the white man was legally killing other white men for their religious beliefs. USA government mostly rotten to any spiritual path.
There is another movie on Porter Rockwell, but I don't think its that good. But I have not seen it. Karl Malone from the Utah Jazz was in that movie, made in 1994. I tried out for the movie, was waiting in line to audition, and ended up with a beautiful woman standing behind me. That's when I knew I had no chance. The guys doing the auditions, saw this woman, and quickly got thru several auditions, before her spot in line, including me, and then when she auditioned, everything went into slow motion. Can't blame those guys. Some day if I see this movie on a web site I subscribe with, I'll watch it.
True! However, it would be ruined by the woke Hollywood mob. They always portray Mormons in a very bad light. Gone, are the days when the movie industry respected us with films like Brigham Young, in 1940, starring Dean Jagger.
The reason for Porter be coming a gunslinger is also interesting. His house was destroyed and wife assaulted. That day he went out into the woods and begin to practice shooting
Porter Rockwell has been one of my heroes for along time, an amazing man. I have read everything I could find about him wish there was more info. on him.
Check out mountain man and friend of Kit Carson, Tom Tobin. My 2nd great grandfather was Kit's nephew and knew Tobin well. Tobin is famous for his tracking and killing members of the Espinosa gang. Also got in a drunken fight with his son in-law William Carson (son of Kit) who hit Tobin on the head with a hammer and shot him. He lived and oddly they remained friends afterwards. Also read somewhere that one of Tobin's sons was killed when tracking down an escaped prisoner. Was crossing a bridge and was mistaken for the escapee and was shot and killed.
Porter Rockwell is a well-known historic figure in Mormondom, but I learned some things I never knew from watching this video. Very interesting. BTW, Nauvoo is pronounced “NAH-VOO.”
Interesting story. Although there are better known pioneers of the old west, there are still many more that are less known but just as important as any others. Thank you for the info.
Australian ! So am I i live inbeteen Echuca and Swan Hill Cohuna on the Murray River the Gunbower creek and Island . Yes I've heard about Rockwell Porter . Of course ive read alot of cowboy books , especially Louis L'Amour . Were are u in Australia . milked cows in my early years , now Im 68 years old . Gavin Walsh Australia xxx
As a lifelong member of the church, I enjoyed your story very much. I would, however, make one minor request for any future videos you may choose to do on members of the church. Here in the last couple of years, it has been officially stated that the use of the word "Mormon" by members, the church itself, and official media, should no longer be done. Therefore, I'm requesting that, in the future, you use the full name of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" when you do these videos. I get it, it's a mouthful...perhaps using it once or twice to establish context and then using something like "church member/s" or flip it to "members of the church" to save on monotony. No, you won't turn into a pumpkin if you don't, but it would be a great gesture of respect if you did and after what I watched, you care about doing things right. It is to this part of your nature that I appeal to now.
I have a matted and framed copy of the painting entitled Porter Rockwell Returns, showing him riding into a town on a rainy night leading a horse carrying a dead man. The book highlighting this art work was a gift from a dear friend in Tooele.
I have admiration of a God fearing man, who altho hunted like a criminal and considered a rebel yet being righteous in word and deeds, a man of honour, always prevailed like Almighty God protecting the just in all his steps
Well how do U come up with that ? When the Holy Scriptures clearly state " thou shall not kill " Guess like most Americans u only read what u want 2 read 📚 out of the Bible & r mostly unteachable 😅
@@Robert-mn8gc Salaam son of Abraham! (pbuh) it was not me who established the Heavens & the earth by my Word, I did not create man in my own likeness but JESUS (pbuh) , your prophet, before He returned to His throne, did say : "it is written thou shalt not kill, but I now tell you anyone who hates his brothers or sisters in his heart has sinned.. And any man who looks at a woman with lust in his eyes has commited adultery already in his heart.." ❤️👆 (MAT 5.21 / 5.28)
They are THE only religion in the history of the United States to leave the nation to seek freedom of religion. Tens of thousands left in large caravans to what was then the most Norther parts of Mexico.
@@missourimongoose8858 maybe so, but that doesn’t give you the right to murder, rape and plunder them. They were persecuted as much if not more for their anti slavery views as polygamy.
Km starting a magical new religion with Harry Potter as magical savior because he defied a tyrannical govt so he and his friedns could prepare to fight a greater evil. The more porters in this prophetranslators inner circle the better.
The movie, "THE AVENGING ANGEL," starring Tom Barringer, fills the bill. Tom IS NOT Porter Rockwell, but his protégé. James Coburn plays Porter. Charlton Heston plays Brigham Young. I'm not too sure of its veracity, but it's a fun movie to watch.
i don’t know much about Mormon history and pretty much don’t care to as per my previous comment but dang that guy was a badasssss! And also I was very surprised to hear that he drank whiskey with Burton because I thought that Mormons weren’t allowed to drink alcohol. Maybe he got an exception because he was one of the first Mormons? Anyways, super interesting video!
He didn't need an exception. Remember, this story took place in the earliest days of the LDS church. Back then there was no admonishment against booze. Hell, Joseph owned and lived in an 'inn' while waiting for his personal manor home to be built. Rumour is it that there were certain girls there to keep the wealthy travelers and patron company 😉 The dream was to make Navoo the ideal city as it was on an advantageous place on the river. At the time it had a larger population than the city of Chicago.
@@allynistubed Well, there is a reason why I called it a rumour. IIRC, which is questionable sometimes even on a good day I heard it from guy named Blankenagle.
@@teleiosdawyz4044 Never heard of him until today. However, if you want to learn the truth about about a person or a people, don't take the word of their enemies. There are plenty of unbiased sources out there. You could also ask a member of the Church about their beliefs or history. They would make a good faith effort to answer your questions.
A story about the history of the wild West, without deliberately demonizing Mormons?? I can’t believe it! Well done. Finally, an unbiased history channel worth trusting. Subscribed
Some stories attributed to Porter Rockwell are probably apocryphal. I suppose you skipped those as unverified. Two of my favorites: 1) It is said that he denied the attempted assassination of Gov. Boggs by saying, "If it was me, I wouldn't have missed." 2) A mounted gunfighter challenged Rockwell, who was exiting a building at the time, by saying, "I heard you couldn't be killed. I'm here to test that theory" as he pointed his revolver at Rockwell. Rockwell responded, "If you're planning on shooting me with that pistol, you'd better make sure you have a loaded chamber." That made the gunfighter doubt his weapon. He took his eyes off Rockwell just long enough to check his weapon -- long enough for Rockwell to draw and fire, killing the assailant. I have the greatest respect for Porter Rockwell who should only be judged based on the times in which he lived and not by modern standards. There seem to be no stories associated with him that suggest he ever hunted or killed anyone who didn't "need killin'," just as he declared.
These are great! Thanks for sharing
He was awesome.. Too bad he got involved with a scumbag like joe smith
No Ron,Porter is not one based on the times he lived in.Do you respect him as an exemplar of the blood atonement doctrine?
You know why he was nicknamed a Danite?Sign of the times to become a lawbreakers?.
"There are some sins for which the blood cannot atone,apostacy&lying to the prophet...so that you were to dig your own grave&dress in white&have your neck cut from ear to ear by a high priest&or Rockwell or Hickman,or Lot Smith.
Pretty cheap blood shed of my Lord&Savior".
The atonement fully covers all&everything you committed,it's called penal substitution friend.Calvary covers it all,Jesus paid a debt He didn't owe&we with Rockwell owed one we couldn't pay.
However until Gary Gilmore Utah still had death by firing squad.
Let's get our priorities right,please trust Him before you enter eternity.
Alma34:33/Hebrews9:27😅
@@BobF321 You have an interesting point of view. Thanks for sharing it.
Really was a nice non-biased video, just sticking to facts. Though a bit more to their reunion after the trial, Joseph Smith himself grab Porter and was about to throw him out until he recognized him, that's when Porter was told as long as he didn't cut his hair he would never be harmed.
another note, 1 things I learned from the Mormon-Missouri War; Never give up guns, especially when one has to worry about state supported mob violence.
Thanks for sharing your insight Mr. S
And if Porter Rockwell and Brigham Young were alive today, because of their long hair and beards, they would not be allowed to attend Brigham Young University!
@@rosskardon7195 your point? Times and fashions change. Bit of a weak, woke wimp aren’t you?
@@rosskardon7195 I don't think either needed much to go to college. they did just fine.
RIGHT!! clearly the Missourians were all Democrats because they were pro slaves. The story is not much different from the story of today.
My husband's grandmother hated Porter as when her uncle's were young men they stole some horses. Porter found them and dumped their dead, shot through bodies in the yard of their mother and told her to do a better job raising the rest of her children. Porter wasn't wrong.
Stealing a man's horse stole his livelihood and threatened his survival in the western plains. Plus the cost of the horse, along with the saddle and gear, could bankrupt the owner.
@@blank557 Truth. Every time she brought it up my husband would tell her they deserved their punishment
He was the biggest serial killer in the West
Hart times make hart man to take hart actions.
@@blank557 : Did it warrant a death sentence with no trial?
If this account is accurate, it is an amazing story about a man to be respected. I sold life insurance with an office full of Mormons in 1983. Great people....great conviction. The sales manager was a Mormon Bishop. I am not of that religion but I respect men and women of honor. Life insurance is not an easy sale to close. The best sales folks in life insurance are those who have strong family convicctions and want to make sure their loved ones are safe. Be well, all....
I consider myself a history buff but I hadn't heard of this guy before. Thanks for the education.
Thanks for watching!
No doubt Mormons wish it were all forgotten.
I grew up in Jackson county and also never heard of him. I did grow up hearing about Cole Younger as he was buried in my home town of Lees Summit, Missouri. When i return to the states i plan to call the county commissioner's office and ask why there is nothing heard of this man.
@@wmarkfishmormons are space cadets.have you ever met 1 out there? 🚀🤤
@@wmarkfish no we like Porter. Self defense and law & order are justified under the law of God.
Was acused of trying to kill Boggs. Joseph Smith said " No Chance of that. If Porter had tried to kill him he would be dead."
What a badass. Underrated Wild West legend for sure. I’m not an active LDS person anymore but I have a bunch of admiration for some of the saints especially Rockwell
Outlaw and thug is more like it.
While Porter Rockwell was well known as a skilled rifleman, he was also known to carry a cut down Colt 1860 Army revolver and was reputed to be just as deadly with that belly gun.
You’re exactly right! Thanks for sharing your insight
He Called His Pistol:
"The Avenging Angel"...
I Have A Wild West Mag That Show's A Copy Of The Pistol...
@@jeffadams9807 I saw the gun. It reminds me of a guy so fast as soon as you recognized him you had two bullets in you. I think Porter Rockwell was in this class.
Yes I know about Porter Rockwell..Knows as the Avenging Angel .
He w as , still is, a ledgend.
I live in country Victoria & I heard about Porter , Louis I'mours book , Bendigo Sharhtor
Gav Walsh Cohuna Australia
It was a Mormon that developed weapons that helped saved the US. John Mosses Browning one of my favorite members as well as Rockwell.
Cool facts ! But you also agree they are just a large cult right?
@@mattsims95 and? If you're using the word cult as a pejorative here you ought to explain why you think a cult is a bad thing.
@@ryanclark3967 because you are following a liar! That’s why it’s bad! No free thinking! You literally follow a guy who had to look into his hat to read gods word! As my dad always said! Pull your head out of your ass and look around!
@@ryanclark3967 has there been a single cult in history that actually helped its members?? No! Cults take the member lives! Literally in most cases
@@ryanclark3967 what cult is good in any way?
This was a pretty fair recounting of the history too. I am a mormon who grew up in missouri, the morality of the politics of the time aside, the history happened. The executive extermination order was even active on the books until the 1980's. I can appreciate this Legends of the West channel for a remarkably objective retell
Never heard this story before, thank you from Australia.. What a great voice and story teller you are, I wonder if there was ever a movie made about this remarkable man's life?
“G’day”John. Thanks for commenting and dropping in all the way from Australia! Someone commented earlier about a movie about Porter. We aren’t sure but if they made one we would definitely go see it!
I live in salt lake city and I gotta tell yah a lot of the churches look like solid stone fortresses
HEY DOWN UNDER, LOVE AND RESPECT FROM THE USA !!!
Rockwell
1994
R
1h 45m
Rockwell (1994)
Story based on Porter Rockwell, bounty hunter and body guard to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.
@@LegendsoftheWest I'll jump in too as I'm also from South Australia and I'm fascinated with stories about the wild west. I agree with old mate that this is a great spoken story with good illustrations. Good work. O.M.River
Never heard of this man. What an excellent story. Thank you.
Thanks Jack!
@@richardbarrow4620 My next door neighbors are Mormons. The best neighbors I have ever had. We trade vegetables and they love my jerky. I will see if they have a copy I can borrow. Thanks.
In Utah most all of us know of this man. Look into the Mountain Meadow massacre.
@@muthrfuqrjonz3530 So I found a 2 part RUclips video on this subject. Several descendants of people that were directly involved were on this comment section going back and forth. Still to this day it is highly debated subject. Some of the information these people were discussing you will not in history books. Thank you.
@@muthrfuqrjonz3530 Porter had nothing to do with it. John D Lee. I doubt you are from Utah or you would know this.
You left out one of the best confirmed stories. After the promise from joseph smith that no bullet nor blade could harm him if he remained faithful and did not cut his hair. Later on when he was in California, he met the widow of joseph smith’s brother. She had lost all her hair due to a disease. Knowing the potential consequences and how many men wanted him dead, he did not hesitate before cutting all his own hair off to make a wig for her.
We added this fact in one of slides
A promise from Joseph smith is worth less than a bucket of warm spit.
@@wilshirewarrior2783 your knowledge of Mormons is exceeded only by your ignorance of them.
Right after Rockwell made the wig he shot more people in the back
@@wilshirewarrior2783 you’re not even 1% the man that Joseph Smith was.
An incredible man, of whom I had heard nothing. Great episode - thank you!
Thank you for watching!
This was excellently narrated and researched. Well done sir.
Thank you!
Rockwell was brought to my attention decades ago as depicted in the TBS movie "The Avenging Angel".....worth the watch
Thanks for the recommendation Charles!
Starring Tom Berenger and Charlton Heston! Awesome movie!
A great uncle, Smallwood Valentine Noland of Independence Missouri was shot off his horse while crossing the Blue River by a Mormon armed group. He floated down the river for some distance and survived. Ironically, he later was a peace commissioner between those in Independence and the Mormons, allowing the Mormons to leave without harassment. Noland's home in Independence, Missouri was built in the early 1840's still stands and is on the historic register. Some of my closest friends today are LDS!
What an incredible story! Thank you for sharing.
My grandmother always referred to Porter as 'Uncle Port' as he would visit her grandfather's home when her father was a child and get down on the floor to play with the children.
He may have been prospecting a future wife
One side of my family were Mormons and fled Nauvoo crossing the river into Iowa eventually landing in N Missouri. They made carrot moonshine and farmed a small patch of ground not far from Philadelphia Missouri. As a kid we visited the old homestead, not much left then doubt anything is now. Was a small cave on the Fabius river where they ran their still, we explored it a few times. My great uncle fished a lot of those rivers when I was a kid and he always had to pay his respects when we were in the area.
I read this cartoon of a LDS missionary sheepishly confessing to his mission president, why he got into a fight with his missionary companion. "At first I thought what would the Savior do, and forgave him. Then I remembered what Porter Rockwell would have done, and then I slugged him"
Port has alway been one of my favorite Characters. We had a ward picnic in the park and we hire an actor who was an expert on Port. He told stories for an hour, with his sidearm.
I was captivated as a child with his fight record. Also, how he held himself in court hearings was legend both as a private citizen and a lawman.
I was raised LDS, and i heard stories of this when i was a child. we used to have something called Pioneer Day where we would have home made bread and jams and freshly hunted and cleaned meat and pretty much live like the pioneers did. I think it lasted the weekend, so it was more than just a day. we'd have camping trips and stuff. i remember stories of Porter Rockwell and was always fascinated by him. "Never killed a man that didn't deserve it" always hit me. Those were tough times back then, and real tough for Mormons. A land built on Religious freedom but turned against a Christian group just because they were different. Those stories still shape the way i view other religions. No one is perfect. Even people of your own faith can be wrong. Hate the sin not the sinner. Teach not Command. Even if i don't attend church or live the way the LDS church suggests, I still feel strong connection to that belief. I know if their is a God and IF any christian faith has to be true, i personally feel like the LDS have it the right way. We make our own path. We choose our own destination.
Thank you. Although i got to say you left us hungry for more on this colorful character. I'm sure there were a heck of a lot of tasty nuggets about this man's life out West
Thanks for watching!
Well done! Such a fair, researched summation.
Thank you!
When men were men, and women appreciated it.
Fact you got wrong. He did cut his hair once. A woman suffered from an illness that caused all her hair to fall out, so he had his hair cut to make a wig for her. That was the only time he cut his hair
Thanks Kip! We noted this instance during our presentation in an annotation
@@LegendsoftheWest sorry didn't catch that. But I like your presentation. There's a lot to cover in a short amount of time. Must be hard deciding what to cover and what not to.
Thanks for your added input!
That woman was Joseph Smiths widow.
@@andrewwood6285 sorry it was for the widow of Joseph's brother Don Carlos. She was living in California at the time. When porter visited her on his visit he found her suffering from diphtheria which caused most if her hair to fall out
I'm proud to call him "Brother". Thank you for a fine job done here.
Thank you for watching!
Grew up Mormon most my family is devoted..
My father is high up and I'll be asking him about this. I'm personally amazed.. I knew the old west Mormons were no push overs but this is movie material.
I'm related to Porter Rockwell, so I grew up hearing stories about him. Old West Mormons were some of the most dangerous people you could find. Porter also owned several states worth of ranch land.
Thank you.
With all the tales and myths about O.P. Rockwell, this was a very good video.
Life on the Frontier was harsh. At one of the Frontier forts, after a year, roughly 90% or more of the men had died. Diseases, infections, accidents, starvation, et cetera.
When we think of our freedoms, the abundance and benefits we have in America, let us not forget our pioneers.
Nauvoo, under Joseph Smith, was problary the first wild west lawless town. Counterfeiters, thieves, murderers and sex feins (both Mormons & none Mormons) flocked to Nauvoo. Joseph Smith protected them from arrest by passing a law, as Mayor, that no law man could arrest anyone in Nauvoo without his permission. One example is the Colonel Davenport case: Colonel Davenport lived across the river from Nauvoo and it was rumored that he kept alot of money at his home. Mormons did a home invasion of him and killed him & his wife and took money. They then fled back to Nauvoo and Joseph Smith's protection for Joseph Smith was developing a Mormon Army to keep the Feds & lawmen out of Nauvoo. :.
and let us also reflect on how absolutely unnecessary all the suffering and strife was. All we had to do was embrace our native brothers and sisters, share the land and they would have helped us and us them. There would have still been power struggles and eventual destruction of tribes, but nowhere near what would happen. But no, we don't share, we steal and when you have to steal, you have to fight. Stupid arrogance and pride.
Thanks for the story. FYI Nauvoo is typically pronounced nah-voo.
Thanks for sharing this. What an amazing story.
Thank you for watching!
Orrin Porter Rockwell
Was arrested in Nauvoo Illinois with enough weapons on his person to fire 71 shots without having to reload remember this was in the days of black powder
Brilliant video, thanks mate
Thanks Ben!
@@LegendsoftheWest I live in Milton Keynes but was brought up on old westerns in the 90s, never even been to the USA but still it’s kinda nostalgic watching old west documentaries
"I never killed anyone who didn't need killing." (Also used by John Wayne in one of his movie quotes)
Absolutely hilarious; classic; the 'good ole' days' of the 1800s and of older "Americana"...
One of my favorite connections between the two.
The movie was " The Shootist" , the Duke's last.
It's coming back to that time. Most people aren't worth the bullet, but others are in need of some extra spicy rounds.
@@blondequijote Yep, a lot of people need to get sobered up by hard experience
This is the first time hearing about this gentleman Thanks for that
Thanks Robert!
The Book of Mormon isn't a long book and is definitely worth reading
@@richardbarrow4620i read alices adventures of underground, just as colorful and real
Porter is a mix of Samson and Capt. Moroni.
Very well done!!! Porter was a stud!!
A fellow member told me i remind him of Porter Rockwell. What an awesome compliment. I hope i will not need to fill his shoes in the future. They will come for us again before Christ arrives.
Christ is going to arrive but the Mormons are going to be left out in the cold. Joe Smith was con man, nothing more. And his teachings are blasphemy. Cant help but feel sorry for the people he has brainwashed.
Paranoid much?
U remind this person of someone they never met? What a compliment indeed
@@davidnewland2461⬅️ witness, they are coming for true Christians now. The rainbow monsters hate Christians. Trying to pass laws that snare believers.
..."the Mormon Samson", was brilliantly portrayed by James Coburn, in TNT's awesome "The Avenging Angel", with Tom Berenger ..
Great job. Thoughroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you for your kind words Moss
Hello from England, love Porter Rockwell. Read a number of books regarding him. I am a Mormon.
Hello across the pond. Semper Fi
My great-great-great grandpa, Erastus Darwin Meacham, was also a body guard for Joseph Smith, so I assume he knew Porter Rockwell. In my opinion, Porter Rockwell and J. Golden Kimball are two of the most entertaining Mormon historical figures.
Excellent Documentary!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you George!
There is a great book out entitled; “Orin Porter Rockwell, Man of God, Son of Thunder”.
Definitely worth reading. It has many more of his exploits.
Thanks for the recommendation Kevin. Sounds like a great read
@@LegendsoftheWest It is. I also recommend it.
I liked the story of how he killed a guy who was pointing a revolver at him. (The only time someone got the jump on Rockwell according to the book) The guy told Rockwell, "I'm going to kill you Rockwell". Rockwell told him, " The only problem with that is, your revolver isn't capped". The guy looked down to check & Rockwell pulled two short barreled Colts out of his pockets & blew the guy off his horse. Great book.
That's my next purchase thanks.
The video did not mention that he let his long hair be cut so it could be used by a woman who lost her hair.
My 5th great-grandfather was one of those killed at the Hauns Mill Massacre. He was in his 70s at the time. He was killed with a corn knife.
Legend has it that youngsters Bill Cody and Bill Hickock out west came upon Porter Rockwell who stood tall and fierce with his long hair guns and knives, and started from that point on to grow out their own long hair as they saw on Porter...
Super cool detail! Thanks for sharing
What a bunch of BULLSHIT
My brother is High Priest of Mormon Stake here in Montana. I shared this biography with him just now. I'm not member myself but always had Mormon friends and couldn't understand in land of religious freedom, usa could persecute them even by law. Surprised but not shocked for Indian Offenses under federal law clear into 1930s and '40s threw many of my relatives in Leavenworth with rapists, killers, career criminals... for possession of Peace Pipe or having Sweat Lodge etc. Surprise is most Mormons, certainly then, were white and thus the white man was legally killing other white men for their religious beliefs. USA government mostly rotten to any spiritual path.
His story would make a great movie
We would watch it!
There is another movie on Porter Rockwell, but I don't think its that good. But I have not seen it. Karl Malone from the Utah Jazz was in that movie, made in 1994. I tried out for the movie, was waiting in line to audition, and ended up with a beautiful woman standing behind me. That's when I knew I had no chance. The guys doing the auditions, saw this woman, and quickly got thru several auditions, before her spot in line, including me, and then when she auditioned, everything went into slow motion. Can't blame those guys. Some day if I see this movie on a web site I subscribe with, I'll watch it.
True! However, it would be ruined by the woke Hollywood mob. They always portray Mormons in a very bad light. Gone, are the days when the movie industry respected us with films like Brigham Young, in 1940, starring Dean Jagger.
@@DerGlaetze&John Carradine as OPR. Great portrayal.
Porter Rockwell was also 5 ft. 6 inches in height.
... "Never judge a book by it's cover."
He might be tuff but he still short...😅
@@philup6274 Yep.👍
Great man! One of my favorite heroes!!
The reason for Porter be coming a gunslinger is also interesting. His house was destroyed and wife assaulted. That day he went out into the woods and begin to practice shooting
Josey Wales?
Very cool. Thanks for sharing
Porter Rockwell has been one of my heroes for along time, an amazing man. I have read everything I could find about him wish there was more info. on him.
You need better heroes.
Agreed. OPR reminds me of biblical heroes. No better morality at any time of Earth History. Pure, honest, rugged individuality.
Steel in his spine and gravel in his gut! Boy could we use some of old Port in our day!
One of my favorite western people, right next to Jim Bridger and Jed . Smith
Jim Bridger is amazing. In our study he seems to have had a great influence on many of our Legends of the West. Thanks for sharing.
Check out mountain man and friend of Kit Carson, Tom Tobin. My 2nd great grandfather was Kit's nephew and knew Tobin well. Tobin is famous for his tracking and killing members of the Espinosa gang. Also got in a drunken fight with his son in-law William Carson (son of Kit) who hit Tobin on the head with a hammer and shot him. He lived and oddly they remained friends afterwards. Also read somewhere that one of Tobin's sons was killed when tracking down an escaped prisoner. Was crossing a bridge and was mistaken for the escapee and was shot and killed.
John Browning, as well.
Porter Rockwell is a well-known historic figure in Mormondom, but I learned some things I never knew from watching this video. Very interesting. BTW, Nauvoo is pronounced “NAH-VOO.”
Ive heard these stories growing up in Utah.
My great great grandpa was Plesantgreen Taylor who settled the Harrisville area.
Incredible! Thanks for watching and sharing your family’s history.
Interesting story. Although there are better known pioneers of the old west, there are still many more that are less known but just as important as any others. Thank you for the info.
Thanks for watching!
AVENGING ANGEL 1995 Porter Rockwell movie, Charlton Heston as Brigham Young, James Coburn as Porter Rockwell
Australian !
So am I i live inbeteen Echuca and Swan Hill Cohuna on the Murray River the Gunbower creek and Island .
Yes I've heard about Rockwell Porter .
Of course ive read alot of cowboy books , especially Louis L'Amour .
Were are u in Australia .
milked cows in my early years , now Im 68 years old .
Gavin Walsh Australia xxx
Thanks for sharing this video with the viewers.
Thanks Tom! Glad you enjoyed it
Glad to be a direct descendant of this man
Cool!
Me too. On his Italian sidet😊
Porter Rockwell was and is a true representation of a real American Frontiersman!
Quite a old west character. Great documentary 👍🇺🇸
Thank you!
NAW- voo not NO-voo. Great video, grew up about 20 miles from there. There was a complicated history of the Mormons in the county.
Guess Mr. Rockwell wasn't a good Morman a saloon 😂
He was the best!
So sad how persecuted they were. The west was made by people like Rockwell!!
I'm orthodox Jewish..never heard of the man..we don't know any marmons.. interesting story..Thank you...Mazel Tov
I bet there are enough great men-and women- of the West to fill a book with such recollections.
We would read that book
Little known fact: Porter Rockwell invented the Mormon magic underwear.
Great story, would love to see the full documentary. Named my first son after Porter.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you
Thank you for watching!
Great video. I was disappointed when Bill O’Rielly over looked him in his series about legends of the West.
I haven’t seen Bill O’Reilly’s series about the west. Sounds interesting!
Interesting video. Thanks for the education.
Thank you for watching!
Where is that last statue? Is it of Porter Rockwell?
Correct, that statue is of Porter Rockwell and is located in Lehi, Utah
The legend Porter Rockwell, he was a great man.
Thanks for listening
As a lifelong member of the church, I enjoyed your story very much. I would, however, make one minor request for any future videos you may choose to do on members of the church. Here in the last couple of years, it has been officially stated that the use of the word "Mormon" by members, the church itself, and official media, should no longer be done. Therefore, I'm requesting that, in the future, you use the full name of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" when you do these videos. I get it, it's a mouthful...perhaps using it once or twice to establish context and then using something like "church member/s" or flip it to "members of the church" to save on monotony. No, you won't turn into a pumpkin if you don't, but it would be a great gesture of respect if you did and after what I watched, you care about doing things right. It is to this part of your nature that I appeal to now.
Respect for a "religion" founded by a con-man? It's all heresy, formed by satan himself. Find Jesus.
I'm a Mormon. Not ashamed of our history, the Book or anything else Mormon.
God bless America
Learn something new every day.
Thanks for watching!
I have a matted and framed copy of the painting entitled Porter Rockwell Returns, showing him riding into a town on a rainy night leading a horse carrying a dead man. The book highlighting this art work was a gift from a dear friend in Tooele.
" I'll Always Love Almighty God Above "
I have Porter Rockwell Tattooed to my left hand and the Destroying
Angel Tattooed to my left arm.
That's a beautiful statue.
It's just so manly.❤
I have admiration of a God fearing man, who altho hunted like a criminal and considered a rebel yet being righteous in word and deeds, a man of honour, always prevailed like Almighty God protecting the just in all his steps
He was just another religious parasite and murderer. There are no good god fearing men.
Well how do U come up with that ? When the Holy Scriptures clearly state " thou shall not kill "
Guess like most Americans u only read what u want 2 read 📚 out of the Bible & r mostly unteachable 😅
@@Robert-mn8gc Salaam son of Abraham! (pbuh) it was not me who established the Heavens & the earth by my Word, I did not create man in my own likeness but JESUS (pbuh) , your prophet, before He returned to His throne, did say : "it is written thou shalt not kill, but I now tell you anyone who hates his brothers or sisters in his heart has sinned.. And any man who looks at a woman with lust in his eyes has commited adultery already in his heart.." ❤️👆
(MAT 5.21 / 5.28)
Porter would have shot god if he caught him stealing a horse. 😂
What a great Bio! Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Didn’t know this about the Mormons. Interesting video. Thank you.
Thank you for watching!
I was not aware of the brutality leveled against the Mormons, nor of their Paladin Porter Rockwell.
They are THE only religion in the history of the United States to leave the nation to seek freedom of religion. Tens of thousands left in large caravans to what was then the most Norther parts of Mexico.
Look up the Missouri Executive order 44
People really didn't like folks having multiple wives back then lol
Whare have you been?
@@missourimongoose8858 maybe so, but that doesn’t give you the right to murder, rape and plunder them. They were persecuted as much if not more for their anti slavery views as polygamy.
Excellent, subbed.
Thank you for watching and subscribing!
You could do with a few blokes like porter in your country now.
Km starting a magical new religion with Harry Potter as magical savior because he defied a tyrannical govt so he and his friedns could prepare to fight a greater evil. The more porters in this prophetranslators inner circle the better.
@@blondequijote that was corny as fuck
You got that right.Clown culture since the circus went out of business.
Well done !!!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks. ✌🏻👊
🙌
I lived in Salt Lake City for a few years back in the 80s and I remember reading about this guy.
That still shot at 9:27 appears to be from the movie Quigley Down Under...
Is that you roy? Lol
@@missourimongoose8858 LOL
Lol! We were out of photos of tough cowboys and felt Quigley was the perfect fit
Excellent.
Well done
Thanks for watching!
The storyteller made me feel like I was there 👏👏🏿👏🏼👏🏻👏🏾👏🏽
Thanks for watching!
Love a good western , they should make a good western movie of this dude and better yet why havent they ???
We would watch that movie
The movie, "THE AVENGING ANGEL," starring Tom Barringer, fills the bill. Tom IS NOT Porter Rockwell, but his protégé. James Coburn plays Porter. Charlton Heston plays Brigham Young.
I'm not too sure of its veracity, but it's a fun movie to watch.
People should be judged by the fabric of their own time - Louis L'amour.
Orrin Porter Rockwell is one of the many men from history that I admire.
i don’t know much about Mormon history and pretty much don’t care to as per my previous comment but dang that guy was a badasssss! And also I was very surprised to hear that he drank whiskey with Burton because I thought that Mormons weren’t allowed to drink alcohol. Maybe he got an exception because he was one of the first Mormons? Anyways, super interesting video!
He didn't need an exception.
Remember, this story took place in the earliest days of the LDS church. Back then there was no admonishment against booze.
Hell, Joseph owned and lived in an 'inn' while waiting for his personal manor home to be built. Rumour is it that there were certain girls there to keep the wealthy travelers and patron company 😉
The dream was to make Navoo the ideal city as it was on an advantageous place on the river. At the time it had a larger population than the city of Chicago.
Thanks for watching!
That is a new one! Lol Joseph Smith never had anyone there to keep travelers company. That rumor sounds like it was made up four days ago. 😊
@@allynistubed
Well, there is a reason why I called it a rumour.
IIRC, which is questionable sometimes even on a good day I heard it from guy named Blankenagle.
@@teleiosdawyz4044 Never heard of him until today. However, if you want to learn the truth about about a person or a people, don't take the word of their enemies. There are plenty of unbiased sources out there. You could also ask a member of the Church about their beliefs or history. They would make a good faith effort to answer your questions.
Todat they arrest these type of men. It is not good for the criminals in power.
If Porter had gone to kill Boggs, Boggs wouldn’t have survived
Governor Boggs ended up dying alone in a 1 room cabin in Ogden canyon utah.
I didn’t know that. Thanks for sharing!
Ah nope he died and was buried in California. Google it.