Newel Knight Possessed by Devil, Cast Out by Joseph Smith (April 1830)

In April 1830, Joseph Smith visited the home of Joseph Knight in Colesville, Broome County, New York. Joseph Knight had been a faithful supporter of Joseph Smith during the translation of the Book of Mormon, and the prophet wanted to help Knight and his family embrace the gospel.

During this visit, Joseph Smith held a series of meetings. One of the regular attendees was Newel Knight, son of Joseph Knight. Newel and Joseph Smith had engaged in many serious conversations about salvation and the gospel.

During one meeting, the prophet invited Newel to pray publicly. However, Newel's heart failed him, and he refused to pray aloud. Instead, he said he would wait and pray alone in the woods.

The next morning, when Newel went to the woods to pray, he was overwhelmed with the realization that he had neglected his duty the previous evening by refusing to pray publicly. An uneasy feeling came over him, and the discomfort grew worse as he made his way back home. By the time he reached his house, the feeling was so oppressive that he alarmed his wife with his appearance.

Newel's wife sent for Joseph Smith immediately. When the prophet arrived, he found Newel in a terrible condition. As documented in Church records:

"His visage and limbs were distorted and twisted in every shape imaginable. At last he was caught up off the floor and tossed about most fearfully."

When neighbors heard of Newel's affliction, they came running to his house to witness the scene. Newel's condition clearly indicated demonic possession—his body convulsing and contorted beyond natural explanation.

After Newel suffered for some time, Joseph Smith finally caught him by the hand. When Newel felt the prophet's grasp, he immediately recognized what was happening and cried out:

"Cast the devil out!"

Newel declared to Joseph that he knew the devil possessed him, and that the prophet had the power to cast the devil out.

Joseph Smith replied with authority: "If you know I can, it shall be done."

The prophet then rebuked Satan and commanded him to depart from the man. As documented in historical records:

"Immediately Newel's contortions stopped, and he spoke out and said he saw the devil leave him and vanish from sight."

The demons departed instantly at the command of Christ's priesthood. Newel was completely freed from the oppressive influence and stood in his right mind.

Joseph Smith himself testified to the significance of this event:

"This was the first miracle which was done in this church, or by any member of it; and it was done not by man, nor by the power of man, but it was done by God and by the power of Godliness; therefore let the honor and praise, the dominion and the glory, be ascribed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen."

The impact of this miracle was profound. Word of Joseph's power spread throughout the Colesville area. By late June 1830, the Knights and several other families wanted to join the Church, having witnessed or heard about this demonstration of God's priesthood power.

This miracle stands as the first recorded deliverance from demonic possession performed by priesthood power in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marking a pivotal moment in demonstrating the power of Christ's authority in the restored church.