John Tanner and his family

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4 .Iohn Tanner and His Family This independent spirit has usually manifested itself in one of two areas: In spirited debates over technicalities in certain doc­ trines not entirely agreed upon in the early days of the church but more clearly defined with the passing of time. Or in matters church practice, particularly evident following the Manifesto l 1890. The family had its full share of those who resisted the termi­ ?f plural marriage. In more recent times this independent spirit is to be found among some who choose to side with men of science on such questions as the age of the earth, the method of creation, and the equality of races. But the author knows of none of these liberals who feel impelled to challenge church officials or to urge their opinions and make themselves controversial. They are quite content to hold their opinions privately, if not crowded into a corner. nation of Dr. Joseph M. Tanner once told the author that the John Tanner had furnished more bishops to the church than any other. We have made no attempt at verification, but if true, it would seem the skepticism in the family has been more than offset by faithfulness to the cause. The author's brother Rollin C. Tanner of Phoenix, has a complete stake presidency within the family." A sister, Eva Shelley, has a stake president and one counselor in her family." These cases family may not be of the family at large, but they are by no means the descendants of John Tanner have furnished an abundance of church leadership. John Tanner's daughter, Louisa Maria, married Amasa M. Lyman who later became an apostle and counselor to the prophet. A son, Francis M. Lyman, became an apostle and was for many years the president of the quorum. And a grandson, Richard R. Lyman, became an apostle. At the time of this writing a great-great­ grandson of Louisa Maria, Marion D. Hanks, is an assistant to the Twelve. Other family members who are presently General Authorities are Hugh B. Brown, apostle and one-time counselor to President David O. McKay, and Nathan Eldon Tanner, apostle and counselor to four presidents." Presiding bishop of the church, Victor L. Brown is a descendant of John Tanner through Nathan. typical uncommon; Fern Tanner Lee, granddaughter of Nathan Tanner, was the first wife of president Harold B. Lee, and the mother of his children. A number of other Latter-day Saint families have played larger roles in the highest echelon of the church, but the Tanners have furnished their share of devoted and efficient leadership on this level as well as on the stake and ward levels.