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Show CHAPTER 1 Meet John Tanner John Tanner is the progenitor of one of the large families of Utah and the West. Before the time when overpopulation became a controversial issue, his descendants insisted his was the largest in the church. Other families have made similar claims and this book will not attempt to settle the question, but it is a large and vigorous family, widely scattered and articulate. (See article at family close of chapter.) Most of the descendants cestry, and can quickly recite proud of their John Tanner an number of faith promoting incidents are a intended to set him apart as an unusual person who received a num ber of divine favors. Among the oft-repeated stories, that relating to his miraculous cure of a lame leg at the time of his conversion Mormonism is the most common, but John and two of his child recovered from the bite of a mad dog under circumstances which reflected a smiling providence.' to ren Of of this equal importance in conversational value is the generosity saintly ancestor. A successful farmer, stockman, and indus trialist in the local area, he amassed a modest fortune which he ad ministered with an open hand, greatly endearing him to the Prophet Joseph Smith and others who received of his generosities. He was, indeed, the first church financier-philanthropist. After giving away his entire fortune to the financially distressed church in Kirtland and accepting a $2,000 personal note from the Mormon Prophet, family members like to relate that some nine years later, upon the occasion of his making a present of the overdue note to the prophet, he received from a promise that his children should never beg bread." im So often have the stories been repeated and so great is the vari- |
