Levi W. Hancock | |
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First Seven Presidents of the Seventy | |
September 3, 1837 | – June 10, 1882|
Called by | Joseph Smith |
First Seven Presidents of the Seventy | |
March 1, 1835 | – April 6, 1837|
Called by | Joseph Smith |
End reason | Honorably released because it was mistakenly thought he had been previously ordained a high priest |
Personal details | |
Born |
Levi Ward Hancock April 7, 1803 Springfield, Massachusetts, United States |
Died | June 10, 1882 Washington, Utah Territory, United States |
(aged 79)
Resting place | Washington City Cemetery 37°07′55″N 113°30′11″W / 37.132°N 113.503°W |
Spouse(s) | Elizabeth W. Hovey Emily M. Richey Clarissa Reed Anna Tew Mary Morgan (Maren) |
Children | 18 |
Parents | Thomas Hancock III Amy Ward |
Levi Ward Hancock (April 7, 1803 – June 10, 1882) was an early convert to Mormonism and was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for nearly fifty years. He was also one of the witnesses of the Book of Commandments.
Hancock was born in Springfield, Massachusetts to Thomas Hancock III and Amy Ward. In 1830, while living in Ohio, Hancock heard Latter Day Saint missionaries Parley P. Pratt, Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery preaching in Mayfield. Convinced by their words, Hancock was baptized in the Latter Day Saint church on November 16, 1830. He was ordained an elder shortly after his baptism and in 1831 he served a proselyting mission to Missouri with Zebedee Coltrin.
In 1834 Hancock participated in Zion's Camp, traveling from Ohio to Missouri in an effort to assist Church member who were experiencing trouble there. On March 1, 1835, Hancock was ordained a seventy in the Church and was selected as one of the first seven presidents of the Seventy. On April 6, 1837, Hancock was released from this position because it was mistakenly believed that he, like five of the other presidents of the Seventy, had already been ordained a high priest. When it was discovered that this was not the case, Hancock was restored to his position on September 3, 1837. Hancock would serve as one of the presidents of the Seventy until his death. Following the death of Joseph Young, Hancock was the senior president of the Seventy from July 1881 until his own death in June 1882.