By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

Mary Reeder Hurren Wight (July 29, 1848 – January 27, 1937) was a courageous pioneer, beloved mother, and enduring example of faith through adversity. Born in Linstead Parva, Suffolk, England, Mary was the eldest daughter of James and Eliza Reeder Hurren. In 1856, at just eight years old, she traveled with her family to the Salt Lake Valley as part of the ill-fated Willie Handcart Company—a journey that became one of the most harrowing in the history of the Latter-day Saint migration. 

Artist Julie Rogers has beautifully captured a moment from pioneer history in her painting of Mary Hurren and her friend Agnes Caldwell walking hand in hand across the plains. The two young girls would hold hands and jump together as they traveled. In one memorable episode, they encountered rattlesnakes on the trail. Agnes later recalled that it felt like they were jumping for more than a mile to avoid the snakes. Miraculously, they remained unharmed. As Agnes recorded in her account, “Due to the protecting hand of the Lord, we were not harmed.” 

I grew up hearing stories about Mary from my Uncle David Hurren Jeppson, her grandson. He often shared with us the hardships Mary endured as a member of the destitute Willie Handcart Company. Both the Willie and Martin Companies faced early winter storms as they crossed the plains of Wyoming, leading to immense suffering and loss. When rescue teams finally arrived from Salt Lake City, the survivors were filled with joy and relief. Mary later described the scene: “Tears streamed down the cheeks of the men, and the children danced for joy. As soon as the people could control their feelings, they all knelt down in the snow and gave thanks to God.” Of the approximately 1,100 people in the two companies, more than 200 died during the journey.

One of the most striking parts of her story was how she suffered severe frostbite during the trek. Her feet were so badly damaged that doctors considered amputation. However, her father refused to allow it. Instead, he used natural remedies, including beef poultices and sweet oil. These treatments saved her feet, though she lost her toes and suffered the effects of her injuries for the rest of her life. 

 Mary and her family arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in November 1856 after being rescued. In her journal, she later wrote about that miraculous moment when help finally came. Her words remain among the most moving accounts of the handcart experience: “Tears streamed down the cheeks of the men, and the children danced for joy. As soon as the people could control their feelings, they all knelt down in the snow and gave thanks to God.” 

 After recovering from her injuries, which took years, Mary settled in Brigham City, Utah. She was baptized at age 13 and married Joseph Moroni Wight in 1864 at the age of 16. Together they raised thirteen children and built a home known for its kindness and hospitality. 

Mary never turned away someone in need. On one occasion, when a stranger’s child was seriously ill, she took the child in and cared for it until its passing. When offered money, she simply said, “Doors were made to let people in.” 

 Mary lived a life of service, resilience, and deep testimony. She was proud to have met every president of the Church except Joseph Smith and was visited on her 88th birthday by President Heber J. Grant. Mary passed away in Salt Lake City on January 27, 1937, and is buried in Brigham City. Her life and legacy, passed down through stories by her descendants like Uncle Dave Jeppson, continue to inspire with messages of faith, compassion, and gratitude in adversity. 

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 References: 

 1. FamilySearch. (n.d.). Mary Reeder Hurren KWNV-7BG. Retrieved June 22, 2025, from https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/about/KWNV-7BG 

 2. Church History Biographical Database. (n.d.). Mary Reeder Hurren. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved from https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/chd/individual/mary-reeder-hurren-1848 

 3. Saints by Sea. (n.d.). Mary Reeder Hurren Voyage Details. Retrieved from https://saintsbysea.lib.byu.edu/ 

 4. Find A Grave. (n.d.). Mary Reeder Wight Memorial. Retrieved from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14452677/mary-reeder-wight

5. Tell My Story Too. (n.d.). Mary Reeder Hurren. Retrieved from https://www.tellmystorytoo.com/fine-arts/julie-rogers/the-steps-we-have-taken

6. Mary Hurren, in Andrew D. Olsen and Jolene S. Allphin, Follow Me to Zion: Stories from the Willie Handcart Pioneers (2013), 131.

Keywords: pioneer, faith, LDS Church, handcart company, resilience 

Hashtags: #PioneerHeritage #LDSHistory #FaithInAdversity #HandcartCompany #WomenOfFaith