175 years ago today - Jun 15, 1841

Joseph receives a letter from Orson Hyde recounting his travels on the way to Jerusalem. Hyrum Smith and William Law, on a mission in Pittsburgh, learn that John C. Bennett has an estranged wife and child (he had claimed to be unmarried). This is reported to Joseph. Soon afterward, Joseph confronts Bennett with these facts, and Bennett takes poison in an attempted suicide. However, many assume that because he is a doctor, he knows how much he can consume and stay alive. At any rate, he does survive the suicide attempt. Joseph accepts his dramatic show of repentance and allows him to remain in power in the Church and in the city.

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

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