Rebuking Evil Spirits

On June 4, 1831, a meeting was held in Kirtland in a little log schoolhouse (on Isaac Morley's farm). Joseph Smith had been absent in Hiram to organize a branch, and while he was away evil spirits were said to be molesting the inexperienced Saints—Bishop Partridge was unable to manage the situation. When Joseph returned he called a meeting in the schoolhouse and said in a powerful voice, "Let the spirits be made manifest." Immediately some present began to sing, to shout, and to cry. Joseph rebuked the manifestations and all became quiet except two individuals, whom he rebuked separately.

At the same meeting Joseph laid hands on Lyman Wight and blessed him with visions of heaven. He also stated, "I now see God, and Jesus Christ at his right hand. Let them kill me; I should not feel death as I am now." He laid hands upon Harvey Whitlock and ordained him to the office of high priest; according to Levi Hancock's recollection, Whitlock "turned as black as Lyman was white."

According to the account of Levi Hancock, the manifestation involving Harvey Whitlock was physically distinct: he was seized by a power that contorted his body, his hands became like claws, his mouth was stretched into an oval shape, and he was struck dumb. Hancock also recorded that Hyrum Smith intervened during the episode, calling out, 'Joseph, that is not God,' prompting Joseph Smith to command the spirit to leave. Additionally, Hancock noted that another individual, Harvey Green, was similarly bound by an evil spirit during the same conference.