CONTENTS.
[FINDING A FATHER.]
Part from my Father in infancy—His blessing and promise—Death of my Mother—My Grandfather apostatizes and sets up a Church of his own—Bound to be an Uncle—Ill-treatment and ridicule—Prejudiced against the "Mormons"—Fear of them—Released from my Uncle's power—Inducements to go to California—Decide to start.
My Outfit—Dissipation—Start to California—Upbraidings from my Uncle—Uncle and Aunt disagree—A startling revelation, I learn that I am being taken to Utah—Leave my Uncle and join Spicer, to avoid going to Utah.
Arrival at Parley's Park—Prepare for the worst, and visit Wm. H. Kimball—Favorably impressed with my newly-found relatives—Arrival in Salt Lake City—Dread at thoughts of falling into the hands of the "Mormons"—Decide to go and see my Father and surrender, expecting to be captured if I attempted to escape—Odd appearance going up East Temple Street—Meeting with my Father—Invited to change my clothes.
Ashamed of my appearance—Introduced to my numerous relatives—Allowed to sleep with the boys—Homesick—Set to work and made contented—Baptized and set apart for a mission—Return to Iowa—Meet my relatives—My Grandfather's confession and testimony—His exhortation and request—Return home with my brother Isaac, thus fulfilling my Father's prediction—The lessons I learned by my experience.
[SAVED BY PROVIDENCE.]
Appointed to take charge of a company of emigrants—Leave London for America—Surrounded by a thick fog—The Captain unable to take observations—The fog lifts—Saved from being dashed upon the rocks—Thank God for our deliverance.
[WARNINGS OF THE SPIRIT.]
Impressed by the Spirit not to go on a steamer, after arranging for my passage—Rush ashore before the boat starts—Boat snagged and sunk in the Mississippi—Warned by the Spirit not to meet an appointment—Urged by my friends, I start—Aversion to going so strong, I gallop back—Friends unable to account for my fears—Robbery at the house where I was to have gone—Saved from suspicion by obeying the voice of the Spirit.
[ROBERT HAMILTON.]
Challenged to debate by Dr. Waltholl—His discomfiture and defeat—Dr. Scott attempts to retrieve the Campbellite cause, and offers another challenge—Resorts to the whiskey bottle—Elder Hamilton scores him for it.
[HOW SUCCESS IS GAINED.]
Elders to go out two and two—Young missionaries inclined to shirk—Elder Moses Thatcher—His diffidence—The way he was broken in—His success—Elder McAllister—His backwardness in speaking—Forced into it—His testimony—Elder Coray's experience—Promises of the Lord proved true.
[HELP IN TIME OF NEED.]
Start upon a mission, penniless—Aid from the Captain and passengers on the steamboat—Arrive at New Orleans—Fail in trying to find free passage to England—Discouragement—Prayer—Rebuke and answer—Apply for passage on the Berlin—Kind reception from Captain Baker—Bargain for passage—One-half to be paid in discussing religion with an Episcopalian Minister.
The voyage—Discussion—Minister's discomfiture—Arrive in Liverpool—Kindness of Captain Baker—Learn of his death and my duty—My shabby appearance—First sermon—Money put into my hand—Visit home—More help from strangers.
[OVERCOMING DIFFIDENCE.]
Difference in persons about speaking in public—The Lord willing to help His servants to overcome timidity—Early experience in preaching—A feeling of fear and the Spirit of God not congenial—Timidity conquered.
[THE LORD WILL PROVIDE.]
A Mother and Children in great want—The Mother's faith—Her prayer—Is provided with money in a mysterious way.
[DIALOGUE ON RELIGION.]
[TESTIMONIES FOR THE TRUTH.]
The Author's birth and parentage—Early religious impressions—Marriage—Vision of his Brother, and of the Bible—The Author dreams of preaching—Attends a "Protracted Meeting"—His impressions while there—He meets with the Latter—Day Saints—Vision of two Nephite Apostles.
Vision of the last days—Baptism of the Author and four others—His Wife's dream and baptism—He is ordained an Elder—Visits Kirtland—On his return is attacked by fever—Is miraculously healed—Visits Kirtland—Re-visits Kirtland—Begins to preach—Miraculous healing of a cancer—Accident and miraculous healing of Jesse W. Crosby—Poison miraculously nullified—Casting out of evil spirits.
Removal to Nauvoo—Sickness—Miraculously healed—Acquire considerable property—Acquaintance with Joseph Smith—Missions to Albany, and the Eastern states; also, with Elder J. W. Crosby, to Nova Scotia—Preach in Jefferson Co., N. Y., and organize six Branches of the Church—Travel to New Brunswick—Invited to preach—Baptisms—Persecution—The Author waylaid by a mob, beaten, and left for dead—Attack on the house where he and Elder Crosby were in bed—The mob dispersed by Mrs. Shelton—They return and re—attack the house—Are dispersed by Mr. Shelton—Two Branches organized.
Return to Nauvoo—Sent to Jefferson Co. on a Tithing mission—Return with a thousand dollars—Move West with the Church—Stay at Winter Quarters—Ordained Bishop—Scurvy in Camp—Hire out in Missouri—Arrive in Salt Lake Valley—Elder Kimball's prophecy and its fulfillment.