Elder Wayne M. Hancock

Of the Seventy

Wayne M. and Connie Hancock wanted to make sure that their lives were headed in the right direction and would often fast and pray for guidance. “I was working as an attorney in Arizona and was trying to determine what kind of a career path to take,” explains Elder Hancock, who was born in Safford, Arizona, on 16 July 1931, and was raised in Glendale, California.

“Through a series of seemingly insignificant events, we were led to Midland, Michigan, where I worked 27 years with the Dow Chemical Company. The still, small voice and the power of fasting and prayer have always played a crucial role for us in obtaining the guidance we seek.”

A former stake president, stake president’s counselor, mission president’s counselor, and bishop, Elder Hancock of the Second Quorum of the Seventy has often sought guidance in his callings and professional life. He and his wife have also fasted and prayed often for assistance as parents of eight children. This trust in the Lord has been reassuring during hard times.

“After some of the biggest disappointments in my life have come some of the biggest blessings,” he notes. “Early on, I planned on serving a mission. I had my mission interview and even had a missionary farewell. Then I was notified that the draft board had denied my mission request and said I must be available if needed for military service. I was sorely disappointed but decided to transfer from the University of Arizona to Brigham Young University that summer. Fortunately, there I met my wife.”

After Wayne and Connie graduated from BYU in 1953, they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on 25 June that year. They headed to California to serve in the military, then were dismayed to find that the call had been postponed. Again disappointment led to blessings, when Brother Hancock ended up attending the University of Arizona law school, where he received his degree three years later.

Elder Hancock feels that with that degree and with the Lord’s guidance, he was able to be of greater service throughout his career.

“I am so grateful that through life’s experiences I have learned to trust in the Lord,” says Elder Hancock.