Guest Post By Jennifer Gardner
On this Day in Church History (June 24, 1844) Joseph and Hyrum Smith set out on what would become to be known as “their last ride.”
Introduction: It’s All “Relative“
This February, I was a presenter at the annual Untold Nauvoo Stories Symposium. My presentation was called, “The Hancock Family in Hancock County.” While researching my family history, I discovered that I was related to a family by the name of Hancock that had once lived in Nauvoo. One of these relatives was named Solomon Hancock (1793–1847). My friend Jennifer Gardner is also a relative of Solomon. She graciously agreed to share this amazing story in her first ever blog post on Nauvoo Blog! Thank you Jennifer and enjoy reading!
As a current resident of Nauvoo, I enjoy learning about my ancestors who lived here in the days of the early Church. One of those ancestors is Solomon Hancock, my fourth great-grandfather. I remember reading this story when I was young in a genealogy, a family-remembrance book from my mother’s side of the family. It has also been printed in the April 1978 issue of the Ensign magazine.
Solomon Hancock was a faithful member of the early Church. He joined in 1830 and remained loyal through difficult times. By 1844, he and his wife, Phoebe, were living near Nauvoo in Hancock County, Illinois. Their lives, like many early Saints, were filled with sacrifice, hard work, and faith in the Lord’s guidance.
One day, Solomon and Phoebe traveled to Quincy, Illinois, to buy food and clothing. Their wagon carried butter and eggs to sell, and Solomon had promised Phoebe five dollars to purchase items for their growing family. It was not a small amount to them, and Phoebe had carefully planned how to use it.
But as they neared town, Solomon told his wife that he did not feel right about spending the five dollars. He explained that he had received multiple spiritual impressions that the money would be needed for something else. Though disappointed, Phoebe used what little money they had from selling their goods to buy only the most essential items.
As they began their journey home, Phoebe sat quietly, saddened and confused. Soon, at a crossroads, they encountered the Prophet Joseph Smith, who was on his way to prison in Carthage. The meeting was unexpected and sobering.
Joseph called out to Solomon and asked, ‘Have you got five dollars?’ Solomon replied that he did. The Prophet said that he had told the men with him that they would be able to get something to eat before reaching the jail. Without hesitation, Solomon gave him the five
dollars.
In that moment, the earlier prompting became clear. What had seemed confusing now felt divinely directed. Phoebe wept and expressed sorrow for having wished to keep the money. Not long afterward, Joseph and his brother Hyrum were martyred at Carthage Jail.
For Solomon and Phoebe, their grief was deep, but it was accompanied by a quiet peace. They had been guided by the Spirit to help the Prophet in one of his final moments. Their simple act of obedience became a sacred memory.
Living in Nauvoo today, I find this story especially meaningful. It reminds me that faith often requires trust before understanding. Even small acts of obedience can have eternal significance when we listen to the promptings of the Spirit.
Sources
- Family Remembrance Book
- Spencer J. Palmer, ‘Five Dollars for Joseph Smith,’ Ensign, April 1978.
- Joseph Smith Papers – Solomon Hancock biography and historical records.
