Levi Hancock Rebukes the Destroyer and His Cholera-Stricken Brother Recovers

During Zion's Camp's stay in Missouri in 1834, Levi's brother Joseph Hancock was struck with a severe case of cholera — the same scourge that was killing many in the camp. Levi stayed alone to nurse him through what seemed a hopeless illness:

'I would shoot squirrels and cook them and then give him the broth and it would run right through him like quick silver. I did this until I thought I could endure no more. I could not sleep, for his call for to do this and do that. He said he was going to die. I told him, "No you shan't die." I then laid my hands on his head and rebuked the destroyer. A darkness would sometimes come over me that I could feel like smoke.'

After Levi exercised his priesthood and rebuked the destroyer, help arrived providentially — first Brother David Evins, then his brother Solomon Hancock — and Joseph was eventually carried to safety. He survived, while many others in the camp died of the same disease.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I was left alone with my brother Joseph and such a time I never before experienced neither did I ever think I could endure what I then endured. One continual call for Levi, day and night. 'I want this and I want that.' I would shoot squirrels and cook them and then give him the broth and it would run right through him like quick silver. I did this until I thought I could endure no more. I could not sleep, for his call for to do this and do that. He said he was going to die. I told him, 'No you shan't die.' I then laid my hands on his head and rebuked the destroyer. A darkness would sometimes come over me that I could feel like smoke. When I thought I could endure no more and must have rest, who should come but Brother David Evins. I was glad to see him. I told him I must have some rest. He said he would stay. I laid down and slept. When I awoke I felt refreshed. I then went to work again. We did this for sometime when to my astonishment my brother Solomon Hancock came and he gave us relief by taking Joseph off with him. I then felt that I could go on with the camp.