Newel Knight's miraculous casting out of an evil spirit by Joseph Smith

In Colesville, New York, in April 1830, Newel Knight experienced severe spiritual and physical distress after repeatedly struggling to pray. His limbs became distorted and twisted, and he was lifted and tossed about, alarming his wife, who summoned Joseph Smith. With neighbors gathered, Joseph took Knight by the hand and, at Knight's request, rebuked the evil spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. Knight reported seeing the spirit vanish and was immediately relieved. Afterward, Knight experienced a vision of heaven; he felt himself drawn upward and said the Spirit of the Lord lifted him until his head and shoulder pressed against the room's ceiling beams. Joseph Smith, Newel Knight, Knight's wife, and Joseph Knight are named across the accounts.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

During this month of April [1830] I went on a visit to the residence of Mr. Joseph Knight, of Colesville, Broom co. N. Y., with whom and his family I had been previously acquainted, and of whose name I have above mentioned 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 fervently to Almighty God, that he would give them wisdom to understand the truth. Amongst those who attended our meetings regularly, was Newel Knight son to Joseph Knight. He and I had many and serious conversations on the important subject of man’s eternal salvation: we had got into the habit of praying much at our meetings and Newel had said that he would try and take up his cross, and pray vocally during meeting; but when we again met together he rather excused himself; I tried to prevail upon him making use of the arguments which I had frequently used to him, but he would not. He told me that he would go into the woods, where he could be alone, and pray vocally. He did so, but it seems he did not succeed, for he returned to his house in a state of mind which I can hardly describe; he was much agitated, and his body was acted upon in a most strange and alarming manner; he would twist and writhe in every possible shape, and in the most unnatural manner, and he was often lifted from the floor, and tossed about in a most fearful manner. His wife, who was a believer, was much alarmed, and sent for me. I went to his house, and found him suffering very much in his mind, and his body acted upon in the manner above described. He requested me to pray for him. I did so, and he was relieved for a time. After I left the house, he again began to suffer, and his body was again acted upon in the same manner as before. He was again relieved by prayer, but it was only for a short time. He continued to suffer in this way for some time, and his friends were much alarmed. After he had thus suffered for a time, I succeeded in getting hold of him by the hand, when almost immediately he spoke to me, and with great earnestness requested of me, that I should cast the devil out of him, saying that he knew he was in him, and that he also knew that I could cast him out. I replied “if you know that I can it shall be done,” and then almost unconsciously I rebuked the devil; and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from him; when immediately Newel spoke out and said that he saw the devil leave him and vanish from his sight. 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 the praise, the dominion and the glory, be ascribed to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen. The scene was now changed, for as soon as the devil had departed from our brother, his countenance became natural, his distortions of body ceased, and almost immediately the Spirit of the Lord began to fall upon him, and he was filled with the Holy Ghost, and he began to speak out and prophesy in the name of the Lord, insomuch that we all rejoiced exceedingly. He was then baptized, and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.