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Show The Tanners Embrace Mormonism representing Carter with other along the Church of Jesus Christ of missionaries, began canvassing 55 Latter-day the Saints area. August 23, 24, 25, and 26, they held meetings within easy driving distance of the Tanner residence at Bolton Landing. On August 28, by special invitation the Carters conducted a funeral service for a child of the Tanner neighbors, and from Elizabeth's account it seems probable that she and John and possibly other members of the family were present. J ared Carter's comment that the Lord enabled him to the indicates his speak satisfaction with his endeavers, and Elizabeth's comments show that the elder had scored heavily. This funeral discourse by Jared Carter may have been decisive in the conversion of John Tanner and a number of his neighbors. Eliza by spirit complete beth states that a number of the Bolton folks joined the church and the work of the missionaries became controversial among John's friends. She also states that John remained calm and advised his acquaintances, as that if the work Gamaliel had done in the New Testament times, of God it was foolish to fight it, but if it was was not of God it would fall of its own weight. Following the funeral service, John Tanner took more interest meetings being held and together with members of his family he attended a number of them. While he did not appear in any hurry to join the new religion, at least eighteen of his neighbors had joined by September 1. in the According to Nathan, the Book of Mormon had a lot to do with the conversion of John Tanner. This should not be surprising in view of the emphasis the church has always placed upon it as one of its most important missionary aids. Nathan does not seem certain when where his father secured his copy, but it could have been 5 the meetings he may have attended. He further states that the missionary had promised him that if he believed the book when he read it, he would see a change in the condition of his leg. Nathan follows his story by saying, "He read the book over and over again and compared it with the Bible." or at any of It is fair to assume that the missionaries were in the Tanner home a number of times before the important meeting September 16. The Biographical Encyclopedia indicates they were there two weeks earlier, but gives no details. Knowing John Tanner's generous nature and the fact he was near a great decision, one can hardly rule |
