Trivia – We are briefly returning to 1841 to insert some scenes that explain the events leading up to the death of Joseph Smith and the genesis of the virulent hatred of Mormons which is a theme throughout this book. This set of chapters (Brother John and A Virtuous Woman) are the first of at least two installments.

It is not a spoiler to indicate that Dr. John Bennett’s behavior prior to his August 1840 baptism was scandalous. Although not the same exact kind of evil, he has pre-conversion evil in common with Saint Paul and (from the Book of Mormon) Alma the Younger and the initial male converts amongst the Anti-Nephi-Lehites.