Susan H. Porter

First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency

After losing her husband, Elder Bruce D. Porter, a General Authority Seventy, to a pulmonary infection in December 2016, Sister Susan Porter found herself alone at their home in Bountiful, Utah, USA.

For the nearly two years prior to his passing, she traveled and served alongside him as he served as president of the Europe East Area.

As a new widow, she prayed for guidance. One day she saw a painting of the Savior talking to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well (see John 4:6–26). She felt the Spirit’s prompting to likewise “sit at the feet of the Savior and learn, and He will teach you.”

Sister Porter strived to draw closer to the Savior, and the Holy Ghost comforted her and led her forward.

“I know I was carried,” she said. “I had strength and peace beyond my own.”

As Primary children around the world face adversity, Sister Porter wants them to know that God loves them.

“If Jesus were with them now, He would take them one by one and bless them and pray for them, just as He did for the Nephite children long ago [see 3 Nephi 17:21]. I hope each child will pray for His help and ask to see His loving hand in their own life.”

Susan Holland Porter was born on July 31, 1955, in Ponca City, Oklahoma, USA, to Hans and Charlene Holland. Sister Porter graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She has worked as a lab assistant and math teacher.

She married Elder Porter in 1977 in the Washington D.C. Temple. They have four children.

Sister Porter has served on the Relief Society general advisory council since 2017. Her previous callings include counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency, ward Relief Society and Young Women president, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and Primary music leader.