The Healing of Joseph Hunting, and his Return to Sickness

Ruth W. Tyler was born in 1820, and was the wife of Daniel Tyler. As a young girl living in Kirtland, she became acquainted with a family named Hunting.  Joseph Hunting "had been a raving maniac for sixteen years," and was kept chained in a barn. Ruth remembered that he once said, "I have got Joe Smith in one corner and the devil in the other, and am trying to get them together, but cannot do so."

Joseph Smith Sr., father of the prophet, became aware of the situation. He noted that healing the man of the spirits possessing him would require fasting and prayer, and invited the family and close friends (including Ruth) to prepare with him. Ruth recorded that Patriarch Smith also challenged the family to "covenant to keep the commandments of God, especially the Word of Wisdom."
For five days, the group ate only once a day, spending the rest of the day in fasting and prayer. They met at the family's home and the brother was administered to. "When the Elders went in and administered to him the last time, his strength left him, as did also the evil Spirits, and he wept like a child."

The chains were removed. The man was so weak from the long experience that he had to be helped back to the house. Ruth recorded: "You, dear reader, can better imagine than I can describe the humility and gratitude we all felt in seeing this maniac, who had been a terror to the neighborhood, relieved in this manner. His relatives felt to thank the Lord with all their hearts, and there was not a dry eye in the house where this miracle was performed."

Joseph Hunting gradually recovered and regained his strength. He was frequently seen at meetings in the Kirtland Temple with his mother. However, Ruth recorded this sad ending to the story:
"But, alas! After a time the family began to indulge in those things which they had covenanted not to touch, thereby becoming covenant-breakers, and Satan took advantage of this and again entered the body of Joseph Hunting. The family also, after a time, became indifferent to their holy religion and apostatized, and the man who had been so miraculously healed, died a raving maniac.

"We think this incident should stimulate us to keep our covenants, live humbly and receive the blessings promised to the faithful."

(Compiled and written by David Kenison