Philo Dibble — Miraculous Healing and Survival of Gunshot Wounds
Published October 25, 2026 at 3:32 PM
In November 1833, during the conflict between Latter-day Saints and a mob in Jackson County, Missouri, Philo Dibble was shot in the abdomen (described as the bowels, just to the right of his navel) with an ounce ball and two buckshot. He suffered three wounds and was considered mortally wounded, left for dead. After a surgeon attended him, Newel Knight visited and administered a priesthood blessing. Dibble described a sensation like a ring forming under his skin and moving down his body; he then recovered enough to rise from his bed. He attributed his survival and healing to the power of God.
In Their Own Words
“We all responded and met the mob in battle, in which I was wounded with an ounce ball and two buck shot, all entering my body just at the right side of my navel. The ball passed through my body and lodged in the small of my back. I fell to the ground, and lay there until the firing ceased. I was then taken to the house of Brother Joshua Lewis, where I remained until the next morning. I was then examined by a surgeon who was in the Black Hawk War, and who said that he had seen a great many men wounded, but never saw one wounded as I was that ever lived. He said I must die. I told him I should not die. He said, 'You are a dead man; you cannot live.' I told him again that I should not die. He then left me. After he had gone, Brother Newel Knight came to see me, and sat down on the side of my bed. He laid his right hand on my head, but never spoke. I felt the Spirit resting upon me at the crown of my head before his hand touched me, and I knew immediately that I was going to be healed. It seemed to form like a ring under the skin, and passed down through my body, and I felt it go out at my feet. I immediately arose, and discharged three quarts of blood, or more, and a large quantity of matter, and from that time I began to recover.”
— Philo Dibble, 'Philo Dibble’s Narrative'
Sources & References
Philo Dibble’s Narrative, Early Scenes in Church History, Faith-Promoting Series 8; Encyclopedia of Mormonism; LDS Scripture Teachings (research confidence: high) Full first-person account: Philo Dibble’s Narrative, Early Scenes in Church History, Faith-Promoting Series 8, pp. 81-82 https://latterdaylight.com/philo-dibble Philo Dibble's Narrative, Early Scenes in Church History; Encyclopedia of Mormonism (research confidence: high) Fuller account: Philo Dibble, 'Philo Dibble’s Narrative,' in Early Scenes in Church History (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968), pp. 87-88. http://earlymormonism.com/philo-dibble-1806-1895/
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