175 years ago today - Feb 13, 1844

Joseph Smith writes, in a letter declining a requested visit to nearby Quincy, Illinois: "Moreover, wisdom and prudence seem to forbid my coming, on account of the bitter feeling which manifests itself in various places between this and Quincy,-not that I have any apprehensions for my personal safety; for the same kind hand which hath hitherto been my shield and support would save me from the power of my wicked persecutors; . . ." He is assassinated in Carthage four months later.