Anti-Christs are always deceived by the devil (see Jacob 7:18–19; compare the case of Korihor in Alma 30:52–53). In our day the devil seeks to deceive people in a variety of ways. Some are captured strategically and chained by the devil in subtle and delicate ways. Some instances are more dramatic, as described by Newel Knight in the following account:
After the close of the meeting Brother Hyrum [Smith] and myself intended going to spend the night with one of the brethren who lived a short distance from my uncle’s, 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 [Electa Peck] 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. 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. 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?”
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. (Scraps of Biography, 66–67; Jack M. Lyon, Jay A. Parry, and Linda R. Gundry, eds., Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People, vol. 2 [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1999], 155–156.) (Ed J. Pinegar)