Father Tanner's Journey

Father Tanner's Journey

Father Tanner’s Journey

David Matthew Clark, a 5th great-grandson

Throughout his life John tanner was no stranger to democracy. The Tanner family has resided in the Americas since its first years in existence. William Tanner, the great-grandfather of John Tanner, is believed to have come to Rhode Island in the year 1682, if not earlier. Francis Tanner , the son of William Tanner, was a greatly respected citizen of south Kingston, Rhode Island. He served in several positions of governmental responsibility, including membership in the Town Council and the Justice of Peace. Francis’s son Joshua also was a respected citizen. On December 24, 1757 he married Thankful Tefft, whose ancestors came to the Americas in the Mayflower. In his lifetime, John Tanner followed in the footsteps of his ancestors as a well-respected citizen and an honest farmer. He married Lydia Stewart, a descendent of Miles Standish of the Plymouth Colony. It is interesting to note the events that comprise his early childhood. John Tanner was born just two years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on August 15, 1778 in Hopkinton, Rhode Island. He was raised during a time of revolution. The United States government was being formed and defined just as John’s body and mind grew and were strengthened. His beliefs and values were shaped at the same time a young nation searched to establish her own identity. Yet, just as the ideals of democracy emphatically defined the John Tanner’s character, the principle of revelation – communication between God and man – would have even a greater influence on the trail of events that would eventually determine the course of John Tanner’s life.

The beautiful Lake George are of New York became the home of John Tanner and his family of six in the year 1818. The values of democracy would soon be manifested in a visual display as the hard work resulting from a strong belief in the power of one individual to determine his own destiny resulted in great wealth. With a farm of some 2,200 acres of land, houses and barns, orchards, livestock and even a hotel of “some considerable note”, John Tanner was a prominent citizen of the town of Bolton. It was there that the Mr. Tanner and his family had their first contact with the Mormons.

Several accounts of his conversion exist. Given the nature of this paper, it is not necessary to discuss and analyze the slight differences, but to focus on the important events that occurred during the process. In the book John Tanner and His Family, seven different versions are given. All tell of his desire as a devout Baptist and leader in the community to do his part and silence the Mormon elders. He went to one of the meetings and was impressed with the preaching of the missionaries. Nathan Tanner, John’s son, discussed in his account the importance of the Book of Mormon played in his conversion. When Mr. Tanner was convinced of the truth, he expressed his desire to be baptized, but insisted that he would not be able to fo through with the ordinance. Six months earlier, an unknown disease had attacked his left leg, leaving it immobilized and covered with black sores that constantly oozed liquid. During the time of his sickness, john did not even let his foot tough the floor. After John Tanner’s comments, Elder Jared Carter commanded him to arise and walk. Mr. Tanner obeyed, rose to his feet and walked to the lake where he was baptized by Simeon Carter. According to Nathan, the healing caused “a wonder and surprise, and the news went far and wide.” Here we have the first indications of the willingness of John Tanner to obey the voice of revelation, whether it was a personal revelation received through the Holy Ghost, the convincing power of the words of the prophets written in sacred books, or the voice of a servant of God commanding the will of the Lord.

From this point on in his life, Father Tanner, as he soon came to be known, looked for and relied on revelation to guide him through this difficult journey. Following the voice of the Lord is not easy. John Tanner and his family would quickly realize this eternal truth. The effects of his decision to obey revelation were felt immediately. Even though he still wielded great economic strength, the family did not hold the same social status as it once did. Onne year after his baptism John Tanner sent two of his sons to inquire of the Prophet as to whether or not he should move to Kirtland or Zion. After consulting with the council, Joseph Smith sent word that he should go to Ohio to build up the church.

As mentioned earlier, John Tanner was a man of considerable wealth. He was a prosperous farmer and businessman. He brought all of this with him on his move to Kirtland. In the winter of 1834, the Tanner family set out with the six wagons to relocate their possessions. Before the move, Father Tanner also sent out his two boys to Missouri with Zion’s Camp, furnishing three teams and, according to Nathan, “very near half the money that paid the expenses of the camp.” These figures are stated to help us understand the extent of John Tanner’s wealth.

One of the great benefits of living in our democratic society is that of having a capitalist economy, one that allows each man the opportunity to make as much money as he is capable of earning. What happens to a man that has lived for so long in such conditions when he is called upon to sacrifice that which he has rightfully earned, and even more so when done in the name of God?

Though the question may be difficult for many to answer, it was in fact without debate in the mind of John Tanner. The Tanner family arrived in Kirtland about the 20th of January 1835. Immediately upon his arrival he was asked by the prophet to appear before the High Council, where he learned that the mortgage on the farm where the temple was being built was about to be foreclosed. Without question, he loaned $2,000 to the prophet and the lot was redeemed. He continued to donate another $13,000 in merchandise to the Temple Committee. With devotion to the Lord, John Tanner followed the voice of revelation which he received in New York at the time of his conversion, doing what was asked of him to further the work. Onn March 7, 1835 a special meeting was called for the purpose of “blessing, in the name of the Lord, those who have heretofore assisted in building by their labor and other means, the House of the Lord”. After receiving instruction from the Prophet Joseph Smith, Father Tanner received of this blessing and and also of the ordinances of the Kirtland Temple. John Tanner continued to donate time, energy and materials until the completion of the edifice. Establishing the precedent for the rest of his life, John Tanner sacrificed that which was asked of him and received not only the temporal blessings, but also the spiritual blessings that come from such selflessness.

On January 2, 1837, a special meeting of the Kirtland Safety Society was called to write a new constitution for its management. The Prophet’s venture to obtain a charter for a bank in Kirtland was denied earlier in 1836, leading to formation of the new ‘Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company” in that meeting. Lacking an official charter, wide acceptance of the notes in circulation and with corruption from within, most would say that the bank was destined to fail from the beginning. In an article in the Messenger and Advocate, the Prophet announced, “we invite the brethren from abroad, to call on us, and take stock in our Safety Society.” John Tanner was not an unwise businessman. He proved this by producing such a large estate in New York and would continue to demonstrate his abilities as a successful farmer in Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa. We do not know id he could foresee the losses that would be sustained by all those who were a part of the Society, but surely he knew of the risks undertaken by those involved in the bank. Regardless, he heeded the call of the Prophet once again, showing his support by investing greatly in the bank. The bank eventually went under, leaving investors with losses reaching $100,000, according to one study. It is further stated in the study that those who held leadership positions no doubt suffered much heavier losses.

Just as Father Tanner invested greatly in the Prophet and the bank, he lost greatly. He came to Kirtland with an abundance of physical means and an eagerness to follow the voice of the Lord. As the persecution mounted, John Tanner began to look to Missouri where his sons and their families had already established homes. After making every effort to rid himself of debt, paying off several obligations acquired by signing on behalf of the church, he gathered together all of his possessions and headed to Zion. His impoverished situation is described by his son Nathan who said that they left for Missouri with a “borrowed team and one old broken down stage horse, and an old turn pike cart, a cag of power, and $7.50 in cash.” Never before had Father Tanner experienced such poverty as he did when he left Kirtland.

John Tanner would meet with his sons in Missouri where he met the persecution known to all the faithful Saints during that time period. Driven from the state, his family relocated for one year in New Liberty, Illinois. They later proceeded to Montrose, Iowa where they lived and once again prospered for another six years. There, John Tanner once again was called upon to settle the claims of a note for the sum of $30,000, which he signed for with the Prophet Joseph while still in Kirtland. Once again, the accounts vary as to how the claim was settled. Given his character, John Tanner undoubtedly assumed the responsibility and did whatever was necessary to fulfill his promise as co-signer of the note. Continuing his life of service, Father Tanner donated resources and energy to the building of the temple in Nauvoo. He also was influential in providing many with the crops and other necessities in preparation for the arduous journey to Salt Lake City.

Despite being a prominent citizen of the community everywhere he went, John Tanner led a simple life. He governed himself by true principles and was loyal to his personal convictions. He gained his prosperity through hard work coupled with honesty and respect for his fellow man. As to how he dealt with the struggle between revelation and democracy, the response is clear: John Tanner places his confidence in the Lord in all his decision. He accepted the instruction given to him through revelation received by a prophet of God.

Where many of the great early Saints fell, Father Tanner remained steadfast. The stumbling block of wealth in the path to the kingdom of God was but a small pebble under his feet. In a society that instills the desire to “succeed”, John Tanner was an exception. There was nothing of higher value to him than his faith and love for the work of God. He was tried and proved willing to sacrifice even all that he had to further that work. Reaching the depths of poverty before leaving Kirtland, he said of his journey to Missouri “Well if others have come up easier, they have not learned as much.” Such wwas the spirit of John Tanner.

An account given in Biographical Encyclopedia is a wonderful depiction of the life of John Tanner. After being called on a mission to the East to campaign for Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, he went to see the Prophet. He presented to Joseph the note for $2,000 to redeem the Kirtland Temple lot. The story continues as follows:

The Prophet, not understanding what he meant by it, asked what he would have him do with it, and Father Tanner replied: “Brother Joseph you are welcome to it.” The Prophet then laid his right hand heavily upon Father Tanner’s shoulder and said: “God bless you Father Tanner, your children shall never beg bread.”

John Tanner did not place importance on money. He rejected the idea that wealth is of greater value than worthiness of the blessings of the Lord. He was worthy of that blessing which was given to him by revelation through the Prophet and in this manner he projected the same blessing upon all of those who follow in his footsteps.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 1948 History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Period 1. History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet. Vol. II. Salt Lake City, UT.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 1967 History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Period 1. History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet. Vol. I. Salt Lake City, UT.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 1971. The Latter Day Saint biographical encyclopedia. Vol. II. Salt Lake City, UT.