Description

“It Is The Truth. I Can Feel It”

Levi Ward Hancock was born at Springfield, Massachusetts April 7, 1803, the seventh child of Thomas and Amy Hancock. At an early age, Levi showed an unusual interest in spiritual things
and in the salvation of his soul. By 1830, Levi was a successful craftsman and visiting family in Chagrin, Ohio. In his history, Levi records,

“I arrived at his house that evening…. I set down and presently Alvah came in and asked me if I had heard the news? ‘What news’, asked I. “Why,” said he, “four men have come and have brought a book [Book of Mormon] with them that they call history, and a record of the people that once inhabited this land.” ‘Oh,’ said I to myself, ‘that sounds interesting and I would like to hear more.’ I began to inquire about it. Alvah said, “Why, do you not recollect of reading what the Savior said, how he had other sheep which were not of this fold at Jerusalem?” ‘Oh, yes I do,’ said I. “Well,” said he, “they were here and he [The Savior] came and taught them the same doctrine that he taught them at Jerusalem. “And,” said he, “they baptize for the remission of sins and are building up the church as the apostles used to do in the days of Christ. Tomorrow they are to hold a meeting at Mr. Jackson’s in Mayfield.” “Yes,” said he, “they lay hands on those they baptize and bestow on them the Holy Ghost.” At these last words I gathered faith and there seemed to fall on me something pleasant and delightful. It seemed like a wash of something warm took me in the face and ran over my body which gave me a feeling I cannot describe. The first word I said was, ‘It is the truth, I can feel it. I will go and hear for myself tomorrow.’”

Levi and members of his family went the next day and listened to the testimonies of Parley P. Pratt and Oliver Cowdery. Members of Levi’s family joined that day and Levi was baptized shortly after in Kirtland by Parley P. Pratt.

Levi Ward Hancock stayed on the covenant path throughout his days. He marched with the Prophet Joseph in Zion’s Camp in 1834, and again with the Mormon Battalion in 1846. He served as a missionary, colonizer, and general authority for more than 50 years. He passed away in 1882 at the age of 79 in Washington, Utah.

Source:

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWJZ-DLC