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If the preface to a book be looked upon as the author's excuse for writing it, then this book should have no preface, for the author has no excuse to make. Justice to the character and labors of John Taylor demanded that his life be written. The annals of the Church could not be recorded without devoting large space to the part he took in her affairs; but no notice of his life and labors, however extended in a general history, could do justice to his great career: for of course there is much in that career peculiar to himself, and of a character, too, to make it worthy of a separate volume.

This book contains-

Chapter I.

Introductory—Birth and Ancestry

Chapter II.

Boyhood—Early Surroundings—Trade—Spiritual Manifestations—A Storm at Sea

Chapter III.

Arrival in Canada—Marriage—Leonora—A Message from God—Investigation—Embraces the Gospel

Chapter IV.

Ordination—Appointed to Preside—Visit to Kirtland—Meets the Prophet—Defends Him—Arrival of an Imposter—Exposed by the Prophet—Spread of the Work—A Prophecy and its Fulfillment—the Work Spreads into England

Chapter V.

Appointed to Collect Funds in Canada—Call to the Apostleship—Reflections—Prepares to Leave Canada for Missouri

Chapter VI.

Journey to Far West via Kirtland—State of Affairs at Kirtland—Defiance to a Mob—Experience at De Witt—Missouri Persecutions—Ordained an Apostle

Chapter VII.

Banished from Missouri—Returns to Fulfill a Prophecy—Starts on His Mission to England—Sickness by the Way—Arrival in New York

Chapter VIII.

"I have Plenty of Money"—Amusing Conversation—Voyage to England—Appointed to Preach in Liverpool—People Prepared to Receive the Gospel—Begins Work—Baptisms

Chapter IX.

Labors Continued in Liverpool—Manner of Meeting Opposition—Introduction of the Gospel into Ireland—A Prophecy—First Baptism—Visit to Scotland—Love of the Saints

Chapter X.

Course of Lectures—Visit to the Isle of Man—Reflections—Lectures in Douglas—Opposition—Challenge—Discussions—Success

Chapter XI.

Return to Nauvoo—Sickness of Leonora—Saved by the Power of God—Founds "Nauvoo Neighbor"—Edits "Times and Seasons"—Nominates the Prophet for President—Reasons—Introduction of Celestial Marriage—His Conduct in Regard to it

Chapter XII.

A Retrospect—A State's Crime—Trouble Brewing

Chapter XIII.

An Important Year—Apostates—Agitation of the Mormon Question—The Nauvoo "Expositor"—Its Suppression—Effect of suppression—Governor Ford's Order—Nauvoo under Martial Law

Chapter XIV.

Arrival of Governor Ford in Carthage—Mob Converted into Militia—Elder Taylor and Dr. Bernhisel go to Carthage—Demands of Governor Ford—Pledges the Honor of the State for Joseph's Protection—Joseph Starts for the West—Returns—Arrival and Reception at Carthage

Chapter XV.

The Martyrdom

Chapter XVI.

Flight of the Mob—Excitement of the Governor—Elder Taylor's Suffering—Hypocrisy—Still in Danger—The Return to Nauvoo—Gratitude—"With the Greatest of Prophets he Suffered and Bled"

Chapter XVII.

Was Governor Ford a Party to the Massacre?—Suspicious Circumstances

Chapter XVIII.

Management of Affairs in Nauvoo—Arrival of Sidney Rigdon—Arrival of the Twelve—Rigdon Rejected as Leader—the Twelve Chosen—Prosperity—Unique Organization—Mobbing's—Agreement to Leave Nauvoo—Bold Speeches of Elder Taylor—"The Lord was with Me"

Chapter XIX.

Preparations for leaving Nauvoo—Labors in the Temple—Elder Taylor's Sacrifice—Journey Through the Wilderness—Arrival at Council Bluffs—Helps to Raise the Mormon Battalion—"Who Cannot Trust the United States?"—Rumors of Trouble in England—Called to a Mission in England—The Departure

Chapter XX.

The Unjust Stewards called to Account—Disposed of—Tour through the Churches—Ovations—Articles for the Star—Moderate Spirit of them—Work Accomplished—Start for Home—Storm Beaten—Return to Liverpool—Second Start—Successful Voyage—Farewell from America—In the Nick of Time

and so on....