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. CHAPTER II. 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. CHAPTER III. 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. CHAPTER IV. 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. FINDING A FATHER. By ABRAHAM A. KIMBALL. CHAPTER I. 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 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. At the earnest request of many of my friends I have compiled a few incidents of my early life, some of which have an important bearing on the past history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My grandfather's confession and testimony are especially important, and this sketch is written for the express purpose of giving publicity to his statement. In order, however, to arrive at a clear understanding of this, it becomes necessary for me to insert a sketch of my early life. I have carefully penned these incidents from memory, having taken no notes at the time of their occurrence, and they are as correct as it is possible to give them, especially such as refer to my grandfather Cutler's testimony of the work of the Latter-day Saints, and this I can vouch for, word for word. At the time this occurred I had just joined the Church, and his remarks made a powerful impression upon my mind, which nothing can ever efface.