I began to make the necessary preparations for my departure, which secured about the first of January 1856 in company with several of the American elders and some 300 Saints. We moved out of the Liverpool docks with our faces Zionward. We arrived in New York after a passage of thirty days having been somewhat delayed in calms and headwinds. Sea sickness was was [SIC] prevalent at the commencement of the voyage; I having taken a very active part in waiting on and administering to the sick - Became exhausted so much so that I became frustrated as we arrived at New York; and thus was left in care of Brother Bensdon - at his residence in Williams Burge - of that city; and under the [-] of apostle John Taylor who was there editing a paper called the Mormon; I remained here for six weeks during which I was visited by Elder Taylor and several of the Elders and Saints who administered to me the ordinance of the Gospel as I desired; bestowing this kind attention to my welfare; I however became so low that all seemed to despair of my recovery. I besought the Lord that he would spare my life to return home for the sake of having my body laid with those of the Saints in Zion, in stead of the wicked in that corrupt city. While I was thus anxious in my feelings, then came a whisper - saying - are you better than your Lord and Master was he not numbered among the transgressors; the answer came in a moment nay Lord I am nothing in comparison. This brought a feeling of reconciliation. I was now ready and willing to have my body laid whither so ever the Lord saw fit, and to go or stay as seemeth him good. The Lord saw fit to make this fact manifest to me. Showing that I was indeed reconciled to his will. I saw in a dream a messenger from the spirit world who had come for me. I was in company with [p.92] the Saints who had just landed with me and were now leaving the shore to take the cars. I began thinking [-] with them biding the farewell while the messenger was standing by my side in waiting the last to bid advice was one of the Elders with a [-] in his head, as he went up from the shore. I turned to see the messenger who was some sin fact in so doing I saw a man coming in full speed on a white horse as he came up I recognized him to be Daniel Spencer who gave me a returning blessing after my release to return home in which I had the promise that I should return; and again enjoy the society of my family and friends in Zion - he stood suddenly at my side; and leaning towards me; placed his hand on my shoulder; saying, Brother Porter; you will not go to the Spirit World now. There are many of the Saints who have become cold and lukewarm: We want you to go and stir them up and prepare them for Zion: I replied that I was willing to do anything the Lord wanted me to do: well he says; we want you to go: At this, I looked the messenger in the face, to see what he would say; He bowed his head in token of his consent at this. I asked him if he would be so kind as to remember me; to Brother Joseph and the brethren there. He again bowed his head. And I awoke; with an assurance that the time of my departure to the Spirit Land was changed so far as the present call was concerned: And thus the way remained open for the promised blessing to be realized in mortality coupled with a Mission in the midst of the Saints: having for its object: the renewal of the diligence of those who have become careless in the discharge of their duties in the observance of the laws of the gospel: For without this no one is prepared for Zion - After her redemption - Having had the above manifestations & ministrations I began to recover very fast so that I was able to going the last company of Saints who arrived from Liverpool about the 15th of April; I continued to gain strength as we proceeded on by rail, soon arriving at Tower City: it being the point of outfit for the Rains. I was [p.93] surprised to find many of the former company who were my companions across the sea still on the camp ground; on inquiring the cause of their delay; I was informed; that the hand carts ordered from St Louis had been delayed: and finally their purchase abandoned: under the impression that they could manufacture them; with less cost: and so they were now constructing them;(Now - the mode of crossing the Plains in light carts - drawn by hand - was adopted by the recommendation and council of the first Presidency - which - with wise management bed fair to be a success - But otherwise: a failure; which proved to be the case in this instance; by adopting the policy of that would cause a prolonged delay at so late a date of the season - It being the first of August [-] the camp ground was cleared of its occupants - with 1800 miles before them . . . [p.94]

. . . On the 15th of December 1856 I arrived safe at my home in the embrace of wife and children also my aged parents & friends after an absence of four years and three months. . . . [p.99]

BIB: Porter, Nathan Tanner. Reminiscences, pp.92-94,99. (CHL)
(source abbreviations)