The Vision of the Yoke and Lamps — Levi Hancock's Spirit Leaves His Body

In December 1830, just weeks after his baptism, Levi Hancock was praying in a house he was working on in Rome, Ohio, when he received one of the most remarkable visions of his life:

'As I was praying a personage stood before me with a small yoke in his hands, said he, "This is the yoke of Christ." There were many lamps placed on the top of this small yoke. I thought it was the Lord talking to me and I felt willing to obey him and put forth my hand and laid it on one lamp and saw a smoke rise from it. I then touched two more and saw a blue blaze, then some more and some smoked and others burned blue. Three shone as bright as any lamp I ever saw in my life. He stood and held them a short time and then said, "These I will take into heaven and give you a sign that you may know that you are my servant." He then drew in his breath and blew in my face and said, "You will tarry till I come again." As he breathed on me, faith came, the heavens sent forth a shower of spirit, it took me in the face and filled me until I ran over with it. No person could feel better than I did. My spirit took its flight and left my body on the floor. I thought I was dead.'

His spirit left his body; he perceived and understood many things he could not express in words. He was then told by the spirit to return and bear testimony of the truth. He re-entered his body and related the vision to Mr. Baldwin, his companion. When he later told Joseph Smith, the Prophet interpreted it as an omen that Levi would one day ordain three great men to do a particular work in the Church.