Exorcisms

Mormon History: 1830 to 1839

Exorcisms


April 1830		Draft History Scribe: James Mulholland 1839 draft history [June 11, 1839 to commencement of MH-A version. 1:101–105.		Manuscript History Scribe: James Mulholland MH-A, [after work on 1839 draft history to Nov. 3, 1839] 1:101–105.
		Joseph Smith casts devil out of Newel Knight

April Joseph visits Knights	¶	During this month of ~~June~~ <April> I went ~~in company with Oliver Cowdery~~ <on a visit> to the residence of Mr Joseph Knight's—of Colesville—Broom Co. N.Y. with whom I had been forme[r]ly acquainted … Mr Knight and his family were Universalists, …We held several meetings in the neighborhood, we had many friends and some enemies—our meetings were well <attended> however, and many began to pray fervently to Almighty God to give them wisdom to understand the truth	¶	During this month of April I went on a visit to the residence of Mr. Joseph Knight, of Colesville, Broome co., N.Y., with whom and his family I had been previously acquainted … Mr. Knight and his family were Universalists, but were willing to reason with me upon my religious views …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.
Newel Knight Unable to pray in public	¶	Among those who attended our meetings regularly, was Newel Knights, He and I had frequent conversations on the important subject of the plan of man's eternal salvation, we had got into the habit of praying much at our meetings and Newel had ~~said~~ promised me on a certain day, that he would that evening take up his cross and pray vocally in the meeting the [102] same evening—	¶	Amongst those who attended our meetings regularly was Newel Knight son to Joseph Knight. He and I ~~now~~ had many 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;
		The evening came and the meeting was held, but when ~~it came to~~ Newels was asked to pray he begged to be excused. I tried to prevail upon him …		but when we again met together, he rather [102] excused himself; I tried to prevail upon him …
Tries, becomes agitated		… he deferred praying untill next morning—when he then retired into the woods, where, according to [103] his own account afterwards he made several attempts to pray, but could scarcely do so, feeling as he said, that he had not done his duty, but that he should have taken uip his cross pray in the presence of others,		… he deferred praying until next morning, when he retired into the woods, where (according to his own account afterwards) he made several attempts to pray, but could scarcely do so, feeling that he had not done his duty, but that he should have prayed in the presence of others.	TS 4 (Nov. 15, 1842): 12: his duty, in refusing to pray in the presence of others.
		he began to feel uneasy and felt worse both in mind and body, untill upon reaching his own house, his appearance was such as to alarm his wife very much—he requested her to go and bring me to him,		He began to feel uneasy, and continued to feel worse both in mind and body, until upon reaching his own house, his appearance was such as to alarm his wife very much. He requested her to go and bring me to him.
Distorted appearance, tossed about in the air		I went and found him suffering very much in his mind, and his body acted upon in a most strange manner, his visage and limbs distorted & twisted in every possible shape and appearances, and finally he was caught up off the floor of the apartment and tossed about most fearfully.		I went and found him suffering very much in his mind, and his body acted upon in a very strange manner. His visage and limbs distorted and twisted in every shape and appearance possible to imagine; and finally he was caught up off the floor of the apartment, and tossed about most fearfully.
Witnesses		his situation was soon made known to his neighbors and relatives and in a short time as many as eight or nine grown persons had got together to witness the scene.		His situation was soon made known to his neighbors and relatives, and in a short time as many as eight or nine grown persons had got together to witness the scene.
Newel asks Joseph to cast out devil		After he had thus suffered for some time, I succeeded in getting hold of him by the hand, when almost immediately he was able to speak, and with great earnestness that I should cast the Devil out of him, that he knew that he was in him, and that he also knew that I could cast him out,		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.
Joseph rebukes devil Newel sees hum leave		I replied "If you know that I can, it shall be done". And almost unconsciously I ~~commanded~~ rebuked the Devil, and commanded him ~~to leave 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—		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.
First miracle		<This was the first [104] 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.		This was the first miracle which was done in this Church, ~~and it~~ 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 honour and the praise, the dominion and the glory be ascribed to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for ever and ever Amen.
Newel's vision of eternity		The scene was now entirly changed, for ~~very~~ <as> soon as the Devil, had departed, from this our friend his countenance became natural, his distortions of body ceased, and almost immediately the Spirit of God descended upon him, to such a degree that the visions of eternity were opened to his view and he beheld great and glorious things—he afterward related his experience of this as follow[s],	¶	This scene was now entirely changed for as soon as the devil had departed from our friend, his countenance became natural, his distortions of body ceased, and almost immediately the Spirit of the Lord descended upon him, and the visions of eternity were opened to his view. He afterwards related his experience as follows.	TS, op. cit.: This scene
Newel: visions, caught up to ceiling		"I now began to feel a most pleasing sensation resting on me, and immediately the visions of Heaven were opened to my view. I felt <myself> attracted <up>wards ~~it,~~ and remained for some time enwrapt in contemplation in so much that I knew not what was going on in the room, but by and by I felt some weight pressing upon my shoulder and the side of my head, which served to recall me to a sense of my situation—and I found that the Spirit of the Lord had actually lifted me off the floor, ~~and that I had removed the floor of the Chamber above,~~ and that my shoulder & head were pressing against the beams"	¶	"I now began to feel a most pleasing sensation resting on me, and immediately the visions of heaven were opened to my view. I felt myself attracted upward and remained for some time enwrapt in contemplation in so much that I knew not what was going on in the room. By and by I felt some weight pressing upon my shoulder and the side of my head; which served to recall me to a sense of my situation, and I found that the spirit of the Lord had actually caught me up off the floor, and that my shoulder and head were pressing against the beams."	Note the similarities (italicized) in the same sources reporting the conference of June 1, 1830: ""The Holy Ghost was poured out upon us in a miraculous manner, many of us in a miraculous manner, many of our number prophesied, others had the heavens opened to their view, and whilst several were so overcome that we had to lay them on beds, &c. Amongst the rest, was the aforementioned Brother Newel Knights, who was overcome, and laid on a bed because he was unable to help himself— according to his own relation of his experience, … his heart filled with Love, Glory & pleasure unspeakable, and could, (as he thought) discern all that was going on in the room, … When their bodily strength returned to them, they shouted Hosannas to God, and the Lamb, …" 1839 draft history (see Minutes of June 1, 1830).
Witnessed		All this was witnessed by many [104] to their great astonishment, and satisfaction when the[y] Saw the Devil thus Cast out of a human being and the power of God and His Holy Spirit thus made manifest.	¶	All this was witnessed by many, to their great astonishment and satisfaction when they saw the devil thus cast out; and the power of God and his holy spirit thus made manifest.
		So soon as consciousness returned, his bodily weakness was such that we were obliged to put him to bed and wait upon him some time.		So soon as consciousness returned, his bodily weakness was such that we were obliged to lay him upon his bed, and wait upon him for some time.
		As may be expected such a scene as this contributed much to make believers of those who witnessed it, and finally, the greater part finally became members of the Church.		As may be expected, such a scene as this contributed much to make believers of those who witnessed it, and finally, the greater part of them became members of the Church.

June, 1830		Newel's exorcism mocked
		JO's greatest as well as least miracle, as narrated by St. Martin, is his 'casting out a devil,' of uncommon size from a miserable man in the neighborhood of the "great bend" of the Susquehannah. The whole family of spirits, who are said to have possessed the fair Magdalene, were mere children, when compared to the imp in question. Such was his malignant disposition that before JO took him in hand, he had nigh demolished the frail tenement which had for a long time afforded him a comfortable shelter —the flesh was "about to cleave from my bones"—the muscles, tendons &c. could no longer perform their different functions—the habitation of Satan, was about to be laid open to the light of day, when the prophet interfered—went to prayer—the demoniac had faith—the devil was routed, and nature resumed her accustomed order.			Palmyra Reflector, June 30, 1830. Source St. Martin: Martin Harris

October 14, 1830		Newel Knight casts out Satan
		On October 14, 1830, Hyrum Smith preaches at the home of Newel Knights uncle, Hezekiah Peck. After the meeting, Hyrum and Newel intended to stay with a member nearby,			"Newel Knight's Journal," Classic Experiences and Adventures (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969).
Hezekiah Peck fears for his wife's life	¶	… but as we were ready to start, the Spirit whispered to me that I should tarry there at my uncle's all night. I did so, and retired to bed, where I rested till midnight when my uncle came to my room and desired me to get up, saying he feared his wife was about to die. This surprised me, as she was quite well when I went to bed. I dressed myself, and having asked my Heavenly Father to give me wisdom, and power to rebuke the destroyer from the habitation, I went to the room where my aunt lay.
Under the power of Satan		She was in a most fearful condition; her eyes were closed, and she appeared to be in the last agonies of death. Presently she opened her eyes, and bade her husband and children farewell, telling them she must die for the redemption of this generation, as Jesus Christ had died for the generation in His day. Her whole frame shook, and she appeared to be racked with the most exquisite pain and torment; her hands and feet were cold, and the blood settled in her fingers; while her husband and children stood weeping around her bed. This was a scene new to me, and I felt she was suffering under the power of Satan—that was the same spirit that had bound and overpowered me at the time Joseph cast him out.
Newel Knight prays		I now cried unto the Lord for strength and wisdom that we might prevail over this wicked and delusive power. Just at this time my uncle cried aloud to me, saying: "O, Brother Newel, cannot something be done?"
Commands Satan to depart		I felt the Holy Spirit of the Lord rest upon me as he said this, and I immediately stepped forward, took her by the hand, and commanded Satan, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to depart. I told my aunt she would not die, but that she should live to see her children grown up; that Satan had deceived her, and put a lying spirit in her mouth; that Christ had made the only and last atonement for all who would believe on His name; and that there should be no more shedding of blood for sin. She believed and stretched forth her hand, and cried unto me, and Satan departed from her.

December [7–11], 1830		Revelation
		And whoso shall ask it in my name in faith, they shall cast out devils …			¶ D&C 35:9

March 3–4, 1831		Joseph casts out Satan
March 4, 1831 Joseph casts out Satan		… after being Colled out of my bed in the night to go a small distance I went and had ~~and~~ an awful strugle with satan <but> being armed with the power of god he was cast out and the woman is Clothed in hir right mind			¶ Joseph to Hyrum, March 3–4, 1831

June 4, 1831		[Conference:] While the Lord poured out his spirit upon his servants, the Devil took occation to make known his power, he bound Harvy Whitlock <and John Murdock> so that he could not speak and others were affected but the Lord showed to Joseph the Seer the design of this thing, he commanded the devil in the name of Christ and he departed to our joy and comfort.			¶ Minutes of June [4], 1831 (John Whitmer account)

		Joseph and Lyman Wight cast out devil
		One man by the name of Lemon Copley, standing at the back side of the house was taken by a supernatural power, and thrown into the window. Then Joseph said to Lyman "Go and cast the devil out of Lemon." He did so, and the devil entered into a brother by the name of Harvey Green and threw him upon the floor in convulsions. Then Joseph laid hands upon him and rebuked the spirit from him and from the house, upon which the spirit left him, and went outside among a crowd of men standing near the door and made a swath among them several feet wide, throwing them violently to the ground. Joseph said this was a fulfillment of the scriptures, where it says that the man of sin should be revealed			¶ Minutes of June [4], 1831 (Zebedee Coltrin account)

May 26, 1832		Jared Carter casts out Satan
		[Visiting Benson, Vermont, Jared Carter calls on the Redfields and find sister Redfield] under some peculier tryals of mind and in great distress of mind & unbelief so much so that she told me that she feared that she never should enjoy the presence of the lord again			Jared Carter diary, 72–73.
		I told hur that she would & that Satan in the name of the Lord should depart from hur I neeled down and Prayed for hur and while I was Praying the Spirit of power was with us & I felt to and did say to Satan in the name of Christ depart and the afflictions of hur soul began to leave hur and in a few minutes she felt to praise the Lord and she nelt down and prai[se]d the Lord
[September] 1832		Amasa Lyman and Zerubabel Snow rebuke the devil
		Early on their first missions, Amasa Lyman and Zerubabel Snow, in Chippewa township, Wayne county, Ohio begin a meeting at the home of brother Baldwin Welton, who has invited some neighbors over:			¶ Amasa Lyman (h)
Alarm		… we sang and prayed, and brother Snow proceeded to make some remarks, but in an instant a chilling sensation pervaded my entire body, and a cry of alarm from the bed attracted the attention of all.
Miss Smith seized		On stepping to the bedside we discovered that Miss Smith's face and her entire form were distorted in the most shocking manner, her eyes were glaring wildly, but apparently sightless, her respiration was very difficult and her limbs were rigid as iron;
Devil rebuked Seized again		the common restoratives were used without effect, we laid our hands upon her and rebuked the devil when she was instantly relieved, but in another moment she was bound as before,
Requests baptism		we kneeled down by her bed and prayed, when she was again released, and asked for baptism, stating that she had been acting against her convictions of right in some conversations we had held with her during the day;
First baptisms		we repaired to the water, and there under the mantle of night introduced the first souls into the Church as the fruits of our labors.

[November–December] 1837		Lunatic healed
	¶	There was a family by the name of Newcombe, residing about one mile south of the temple in Kirtland. His wife’s brother, (a man we should judge about thirty years of age,) was a raving maniac of the most violent kind. He had to be kept chained in an out house by himself, and clothed with strong coarse clothing, for when he could, he would tear his clothing from him. He would also rave and rage exceedingly whenever any person came near him excepting his sister, Mrs. Newcombe, she had control over him. We saw him different times, but it was a distressing sight.			Items 1, no. 8 (Aug. 1889): 115.
	¶	In the latter part of November or in December, 1836, several brethren took his case in hand, and went to brother Newcombe’s and commenced to fast and pray for power over the evil spirit, and deliverance for the man from his power. Joseph Smith Sen., (father of Joseph Smith, jr., the translator of the Book of Mormon,) had charge, assisted by brethren John P. Green[e], Oliver Granger, and others. They continued in fasting and prayer for three days and nights, with occasionally, one at a time, taking a little respite, when brother Smith, sen. told them to bring the man into the room where they were, which they did. They laid their hands upon him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and rebuked the evil spirit by which he had been bound, when the man wilted down, and became as a little child. Brother Joseph Smith, sen,* ordered them to take the chains from off him. He was healed, to the great joy of all, and they felt to render thanksgiving and praise to our heavenly Father, to who be glory and honor forever and ever, Amen.
	¶	The man continued sane and well and during the winter attended church with the family at different times. It was customary in the church in those days to give an invitation and opportunity for any one who wished to unite with the church by baptize, to make it manifest by rising to their feet. This invitation was given at the close of the morning sermon each Sunday. One Sunday in March, 1837, this man who had been healed, sat next to me at my right hand in the same pew with me, in the temple in meeting, and when the invitation for baptize was given out, he arose, and was afterwards baptized.

July 20, 1837		Willard Richards attacked by devils
En route to England	¶	Awoke this morning in the utmost horror. It appeared to me that evil spirits or devils had fastened on every muscle of my body, pinching it so severely as to completely stop the circulation of the fluids, and Satan himself held me so close by the throat, that I was gasping for breath. Doubtless it would have gratified the prince of the power of the air if he could have strangled me, but the Lord suffered him not.			¶ Willard Richards (h)
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