Description
Truth Will Prevail
Mary Farren Harrison “was born at the foot of little Ingleboro Hill, Ingleton, Yorkshire, on Jan 25th, 1803.” The daughter of James Farren and Mary Harrison. Little is known of her childhood. She married William Rogerson on December 23, 1826, and they would become the parents of eleven children.
The couple settled in Preston, Lancashire, England where William labored as a gardener. They were not a wealthy family in the things of this world, but they loved the Lord and were members of the Baptist faith. Mary was later described by her son as:
“…devoted to the study of the scriptures. Inherently a worshipper of God, and devoted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as contained in the New Testament. In her girlhood she joined the Baptists, was a punctual and faithful member of their Sunday School, and a class teacher or leader for years, continuing steadfast in the faith of the Baptists.”
Mary and William worshipped in the congregation of Reverend James Fielding in Preston. In time, Mary became dissatisfied with her faith and felt that something was lacking. She prayed and received a dream in which she saw two men dressed in black suits, each holding a book. The one book she recognized as the Bible. The other book she did not know. It was made known to her that these men brought the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sunday July 23, 1837, Heber C. Kimball and his missionary companions, newly arrived from America, sat in the congregation of the Reverend Fielding praying that the way would be opened for them to preach. Suddenly “Mr. Fielding announced that an elder of the Latter-day Saints would preach at three o’clock in the afternoon.”
That afternoon, true to the invitation, Heber stood to speak and was instantly recognized by Mary Rogerson as one of the two men from her dream. The other was Willard Richards and the strange book they carried was the Book of Mormon. According to the family records Mary “stood up and testified that she had seen these two young men in a dream, that they had the truth, and she applied for baptism right there.”
Mary was baptized August 10, 1837. In time, six of her children also joined the Church, but Mary’s husband, William, refused the faith, as did three of her children. This created difficult circumstances, especially when the spirit of gathering took hold and Mary desired to go to Zion and join the Saints. She, with others, pleaded with Church authorities for a way to come to Zion.
Finally, those prayers were heard and in December 1855, President Brigham Young invited all who could to come to Zion pulling handcarts. William gave his permission for her to go and allowed the children the opportunity to choose which parent they would stay with. Six decided to go with Mary, while three stayed with their father in England.
William is reported to have said, “You’re tearin the very heart out of me, Mary.” To which she replied, “It’s me life, William, it’s me life.” She left and they never saw each other again. The family departed Liverpool on May 25, 1856, on board the ship Horizon.
Mary and her children arrived in Iowa City, Iowa and on July 28, 1856, the family departed for Zion as part of the Martin Handcart company. After unspeakable privations all of the family arrived in Salt Lake City safely. Mary lived out her days and passed away in Parowan, Utah, August 26, 1888. Her fervent desired fulfilled.
One more thing, on that day that Heber C. Kimball and company arrived in Preston, England it was during the coronation celebration of young Queen Victoria. It is reported that the missionaries entered the town and saw persons carrying a banner that read “Truth will Prevail.” According to family legend, Mary was one of those carrying that banner.
Indeed, truth did prevail with Mary Farren Harrison Rogerson.
Source:https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWJW-RRY
https://latterdaysaintmag.com/tag/heber-c-kimball/
