Just as the seasons change, so do our opportunities to serve and involve ourselves in worthwhile work. To all who may receive this newsletter, I hope to encourage you in the work of our ancestry. My vision has been expanded and my faith renewed through acquaintance with those ancestors who have gone before. I feel a common bond as I share in their moments of reflection and testimony. I am so grateful for the records and histories they have left. One of my goals is to have the history of Francis Lysander Porter, my great grandfather, posted on our web-site. I would encourage all of you to set a goal to increase your efforts in recording and preserving the histories of your families. I had the wonderful opportunity of living with my grandparents, Melvin and Agnes Porter in Helper, Utah in the twilight of their lives. It was a season of growth and understanding in my life–I learned so many things about them. I began to record some of their memories and experiences, then got sidetracked with work and other busyness. I so regret never having finished that project. There are windows of opportunity that come to each of us to share in the lives of our families. Take the time and foresight to record the things that are shared. Ours is the opportunity to bind together the generations. "It's by small means that great things are brought to pass." In a recent General Conference we were told not to be "a weak link in the generations of our families."

        If you are not presently keeping a journal or working on your personal history commit to do so. Once you develop the habit it will be a source of strength and inspiration for you. At your family gatherings, take the time to talk about your common experience and make assignments to preserve them in ways that everyone can share in the responsibility and blessings. When this life is over, I think we will be amazed at how close we were and could have been as members of the family of Adam. In retrospect our associations and family ties will take on great significance–WE NEED NOT WAIT! I am grateful and proud to have been born into the Porter line of the family. We have a great work to do. Some of you may be aware of histories and memoirs that have been left and today are mostly unread and unused. Our ancestors wrote them with the intent to share them and strengthen those who would come after them. They are treasure troves of trials, testimony and teachings of love.

Committee chair: George Mortimer

        Under the supervision of Bro. Mortimer, typists have been working on the journal of Nathan Tanner Porter. They have recently completed through his mission days. Many hours have gone into this worthwhile project. A big thank you to all who have helped make this a reality. We will have a need for more typists this coming year.

        By reunion time, this journal should be on the web page. A disk can also be purchased at the reunion for a small fee. The committee will continue to work on the journal. Nathan Tanner Porter's personal history has been posted on the web page.

        Bro. Mortimer will be leaving with his wife on a mission this fall. He has suggested that the Family History & Genealogical Committee be separated into two committees. We are looking for two people to be committee chairs.

Committee Chair: Dorene Jones

        The cemetery committee met on April 29^th. Vera Carter has ordered markers for Hyrum Porter 1866-1867, Electa M.K. Porter 1835-1917, Parley Pratt Porter 1867-1875, Birdie Porter 1876-1880, Nellie Electa Porter 1879-1881, May Porter 1882-1882, Mary Viola Porter1890-1890, and two children from the White line on the mother's side. Each marker costs $25.00. There is a need to replace Chauncy Warriner Porter's headstone. He is Sanford and Nancy's oldest son and buried next to them. Nathan Stuart of Kaysville has offered to head that up and intends to have it completed by the reunion. We would invite all those who have not had an opportunity and would like to participate in sharing the costs of these monuments to send donations to:

 

        Paul Porter
        495 E. 300 S.
        Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

                First Class Mail
                Please Forward

Yearly donations will be accepted at the reunion or may be sent to:
                Porter Family Organization
                10 West 100 South Suite 450
                Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
        We would like to thank all those who have so generously donated time and money to the Porter Family Organization!

Here is a list of our committees and their activities:

Under John's supervision, we have a web page. It is www.porterfamily.org. We would like to encourage all descendants of Sanford and Nancy to register on the web page. We are trying to build and refine the data base of addresses. Would you please check with your immediate family members to see if they received this newsletter or an e-mail. If not, please make a copy for them or forward the e-mail.

        At the reunion, Chris Porter will become our new president. We will nominate a new 2^nd Vice President, Secretary, and Committee chairs. If you have a desire to get involved, serve and move this work along please volunteer at the reunion or send an e-mail to peporter@sisna.com