Mosiah Hancock

Who was Mosiah Hancock?

Mosiah Lyman Hancock was an early member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was son of general authority Levi W. Hancock and Clarissa Reed Hancock. Mosiah is well known for his vision of the pre-earth life and of his first-hand account of a prophesy of Joseph Smith, Jr. His first-hand account reports that Smith prophesied the settlements of the Mormon people in Utah and Arizona. His vision of the pre-earth life is recorded in many books and is one of the most complete visions on the pre-earth life in LDS theology. Although not accepted as official LDS doctrine, it has been a primary resource for some writers. Mosiah's other journal writings also provide insight into early LDS culture and beliefs touching such topics as plural marriage, Mormon life in Kirtland, early dealings with the Utah natives, and early establishment of Mormon settlements in Arizona.

Hancock was born in Kirtland, Ohio. His journal reports living in a house Kirtland which had two rooms. As one of the early children of Levi W. Hancock, a prominent early member of the LDS Church, Mosiah was baptized on April 10, 1842, by John Taylor. As a young boy, Mosiah had close associations with Joseph Smith and has accounts of him in his journal. As a young boy, Mosiah crossed the plains with the Mormon pioneers and later became one of the original Mormon settlers of Arizona.