Newel Knight Delivered from Devil Through Joseph Smith's Authority

In April 1830, Joseph Smith visited Newel Knight in Colesville, New York. Joseph asked Knight to pray vocally during a meeting, but Knight was reluctant and deferred, saying he would pray alone in the woods. The next morning when Knight retired into the woods to pray, he made several attempts to pray but felt uneasy, having not done his duty in praying before others. He continued to feel worse both in mind and body until reaching his house, where his appearance so alarmed his wife that she sent for Joseph Smith. When Joseph arrived, he found Newel suffering greatly, with his visage and limbs distorted and twisted in every shape and appearance possible to imagine. Finally, Newel was caught up off the floor and tossed about most fearfully. Joseph recognized this as demonic possession and commanded the evil spirit to depart. Joseph laid his hands on Newel in the name of Jesus Christ and cast out the evil spirit. Immediately, Newel was freed from the affliction and the spirit of God filled him with glorious visions and manifestations. This miraculous deliverance and the subsequent spiritual gifts confirmed to Newel and many witnesses the reality of Joseph Smith's divine authority.