July 24, 2015
In honor of Pioneer Day I reflect on William (Grandy) and Margaret (Granny) McFarland my 3rd Great Grandparents who joined the Church in Scotland the spring of 1842. William and his friend, James Cunningham, attended a meeting in which Elder George D. Watt preached of the restored gospel. Elder Watt held the distinction of being the first man baptized in England into the L.D.S. church. Now as a missionary in Scotland he preached to a congregation in which my ancestor attended. Elder Watt's energetic testimony and promise of personal assurance of the truth to any earnest seeker was taken to heart by both William and his friend James. William considered it logical that God would speak to man in their day via angels for He had in days prior. At the conclusion of the meeting William told Elder Watt, "If you will only give me that knowledge, you may dip me in any mud hole you please, for I have been hunting for that knowledge all my life and have been unable to find it."
William and his wife, Margaret, were members of the Presbyterian church, deeply religious and very involved in the church. William was an Elder and as such a leader in the governing body. Because he did not feel deeply satisfied he studied other religious sects. Certainly he was being prepared to recognize the truth of the restored gospel when it would be presented to him. It did not take William long to discern the truth and choose baptism. After study and prayer he received the certain knowledge he desired and was baptized by Elder Watt along with his friend Mr. Cunningham.
Just two weeks after baptism William McFarland was ordained an Elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He considered this a great honor. His enthusiasm for his new found faith led him to share the gospel truths with others. It was said of him in his obituary, many years later, "He was diligent in spreading a knowledge of the truth in the surrounding region, and many who are now gathered here [Utah] from other parts acknowledge him as the instrument in God's hand of leading them into the fold of Christ." William's wife, mother and oldest son joined the church just days after William.
The Charles Buck, a clipper ship, carried 400 saints, including the McFarland family, to America to join the Saints in their move west. The year was 1855. Richard Ballantyne, a native Scot, was appointed president of the group and later became known as the first general Sunday School president.
Pioneers they were. They came to America to join with those of like minded belief in God. They gave their heart and soul to tame the earth in Ogden, Utah. Together Grandy and Granny raised a righteous posterity. Their son Archie wrote of them, "thus has passed away my mother and father. They were deeply religious ans strictly honest and virtuous in all their sojourn in life. My father was one of the most remarkable men of this or any age,
Thank you, Grandy and Granny. I too love the Restored Gospel. I honor you and promise to carry the torch of faith which first was embraced by you so long ago.
