Joseph Smith Commands Newel Knight's Devil to Depart — First Miracle in the Restoration

“During this month of April I went on a visit to Mr. Joseph Knight, of Colesville, Broome County, New York, with whom and his family I had been previously acquainted, and of whose name I have made mention as having been so kind and thoughtful towards us, while translating the Book of Mormon. Mr. Knight and his family were Universalists, but were willing to reason with me upon my religious views, and were as usual friendly and hospitable. We held several meetings in the neighborhood, we had many friends, and some enemies. Our meetings were well attended, and many began to pray vocally to Almighty God, that he would give them wisdom to understand the truth. Among those who attended our meetings regularly was Newel Knight, son of Joseph Knight. He and I had a serious conversation on the important subject of man's eternal salvation: we had but little opportunity of conversation, but this was sufficient to convince me, that he was an honest, and a sincere inquirer after the truth. During this month of April I went on a visit to the residence of Mr. Joseph Knight, of Colesville, Broome county, New York, with whom and his family I had been previously acquainted, and of whose name I have made mention as having been so kind and thoughtful towards us, while translating the Book of Mormon. Mr. Knight and his family were Universalists, but were willing to reason with me upon my religious views, and were as usual friendly and hospitable. We held several meetings in the neighborhood; we had many friends, and some enemies. Our meetings were well attended, and many began to pray vocally to Almighty God, that he would give them wisdom to understand the truth. Among those who attended our meetings regularly was Newel Knight, son of Joseph Knight. He and I had a serious conversation on the important subject of man's eternal salvation: we had but little opportunity of conversation, but this was sufficient to convince me, that he was an honest, and a sincere inquirer after the truth. He requested me to pray for him. I did so, and also instructed him to pray in secret, and that it was his duty to pray vocally, and attend to those things which God had commanded his people to observe. He told me that he would do as I had instructed him. But he did not do it. He afterwards came to me again, and requested me to pray for him. I told him that it was his duty to pray for himself, and that I would join him in prayer. He said that he could not pray, and that he was fearful that he should not find relief if he did not. I told him that Satan had been endeavoring to make him believe that he could not pray, but he must endeavor to pray, and that if he would open his mouth, God would give him utterance. He again requested me to pray for him. I told him that I would pray for him, but that he must pray for himself. We went into the woods, where we prayed together. He kneeled down, and with great difficulty began to pray. He became excited, and began to look great distress of mind, and his visage became distorted. He was unable to pray, and I laid my hands on him, and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to be whole. He was immediately restored to his usual state of mind, and exhorted me to pray for him, and he would pray for himself. He did so, and was filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced exceedingly. A few days after this, I went to visit Mr. Knight, and found him in a state of great distress of mind. He told me that he had been troubled with the devil, and that he had been unable to pray. He said that he had been seized by the devil, and that he had been lifted off the floor, and thrown about in a most distressing manner. I took him by the hand, and commanded the devil in the name of Jesus Christ to depart. He was immediately relieved, and was filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced exceedingly. He said that he saw the devil leave him, and vanish from his sight.”

— Joseph Smith, History of the Church