John Tanner and his family

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62 John Tanner and His Family of Mormon history began and was to occupy in Mormon history for more than a decade. chapter In as July 1831, a revelation was announced by a central Joseph place Smith follows: who have assembled your­ Hearken, 0 Ye Elders of my church selves together, according to the commandments, in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land I have appointed and con­ secrated for the gathering of the Saints. Therefore this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom, here is wisdom; and the spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far ... from the courthouse. 2 It is doubtful that any revelation published by the prophet so stirred the imagination of the Saints as the notion that the "New Jerusalem" had been designated by the Lord and that they were to be permitted to assist in the building of the great temple in these latterdays. On August 3, 1831, a spot for the temple a short distance west of Independence, was dedicated, in the presence of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and a number of the brethren. All through the latter months of 1831 and into the years 1832 and 1833, the Saints were busy making purchases of land in and around Independence, Missouri, and at other sites in Jackson County. During this same period there developed strong opposition to the Mormon settlers which was to culminate in their expulsion from the county, and finally from the state. There has been much controversy about the cause of the friction between the Mormons and the people of Missouri, each blaming the other for the trouble. It was charged by the Missourians that the Mormons claimed the right to the land in Missouri by divine decree, and that if they could not purchase it on favorable terms, would move in and take it. The noted Mormon historian, Brig­ ham H. Roberts conceded that some Mormon enthusiasts may have been carried away and made unwise claims which alarmed some of the local residents. they On the other hand many of the Missouri settlers were a tough lot. They were on the very fringe of civilized society and were in­ clined to be a law unto themselves. People of this sort are frequently looking for a fight and it does not take much to set them off.