Owing to the many reports which have been put in circulation by evil disposed and designing persons in relation to the rise and progress of the Church of <​Jesus Christ of​> Latter day Saints, all of which have been designed by the authors thereof to militate against its character as a church, and its progress in the world; I have been induced to write this history so as to disabuse the publick mind, and put all enquirers after truth into possession of the facts as they have transpired in relation both to myself and the Church as far as I have such facts in possession.