Never to Be Eraised

The most prominent signature on the Declaration of Independence is that of John Hancock because of its size. As the legend goes, “Hancock signed his name largely and clearly so that King George could read it without his spectacles.” Though it is not certain that this was indeed the reason for his large signature, clearly he was not afraid to put his name to the document declaring that he supported the cause of independence and freedom for the colonies. He was among those who was willing to pledge his life, fortune and sacred honor in support of separating from the king and establishing an independent free society.

                I thought of John Hancock’s signature yesterday because of another signature I viewed on a historical document yesterday. In the Joseph Smith Papers we have this 1831 document, declaring the truthfulness of the revelations Joseph Smith had received which were to be printed in the Book of Commandments. Eighteen men declared, “We the undersigners feel willing to bear testimony to all the world of mankind to every creature upon all the face of all the Earth upon the Islands of the Sea that god hath born record to our souls through the Holy Ghost shed forth upon us that these commandments are given by inspiration of God & are profitable for all men & are verily true we give this testimony unto the world.” Of the signatures on this declaration, I was touched by the one by another man named Hancock. Levi Hancock was the only one to write something beside his signature, and it was this: “never to be eraised.” Apparently when he saw others had written with pen, he wanted to make sure his pencil writing was not removed. But I see it as more than just about what writing instrument he was using: he was putting his name to the revelations and he never wanted that name to be taken away—like the signers of the Declaration of Independence, he was giving his name to the world for good and for his whole life. Indeed, he did stay faithful, serving in Zion’s Camp, and moving with the saints to Missouri, Nauvoo, and Utah. He served as a president of the Seventy for over forty-four years and died in the faith in southern Utah.

                I hope that my life can be as devoted to the gospel and to the scriptures as was Levi Hancock’s and as was the life of those signers of the Declaration of Independence were to the cause of freedom. I hope that my name will be “written in the book of life,” never to be “blotted out” but to stand forever (Alma 5:57-58). And of course, for that to be the case I must “take upon [me] the name of Christ” and ensure that this “name be not blotted out of [my] heart” as King Benjamin instructed his people. I must follow the final invitation of that great prophet: “Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all” (Mosiah 5:10-11).