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Show Into Troubled Missouri 85 It is not known if the advice "to tarry" applied to other mem bers of the Bolton party, but apparently not as "Elder Tanner" was singled out. Sidney and John Joshua remained in Kirtland but a rela tively short time and then departed for the Missouri fall of 1835 or the spring of 1836. scene either in the But little is known of the circumstances of John Tanner in Kirtland for the years 1835 through 1838, except that he purchased a couple of farms outside the city limits where he busied himself with the production of food to help care for the hungry and needy who into Kirtland. The desperate plight of many of the vividly portrayed by Elizabeth who tells of dividing their provisions to assist the needy, even her personal clothing. The poor sought succor in the home of the supposedly wealthy John Tanner, who, because of his generosity, soon became almost as poor were streaming new converts is as the rest." In the winter of 1836, John showed his affection for his beloved prophet who was faring as poorly as others, by taking him "half a fatted hog," an account which the prophet recorded in his journal. How many others John furnished with half a fatted hog, or a ham, or sack of potatoes, is not known, but during these distressing years he lived in Kirtland, the saints were constantly below the poverty line and his home was always open and his hand extended.' 3 It would be \ activities of controlled by the prophet's coun seling. In all probability most of the faithful sought his advice before making important decisions. In the absence of records, however, it is not known for certain whether Sidney and John Joshua, the first of the Tanners to move to Missouri, were "called" to go to assist the hard-pressed Saints, but it would seem so. interesting to know how much the the individual church member were the oldest of the boys Sidney, at this time who embraced Mormonism, was years of age, had been married five years, and had three children. John Joshua was two years younger, mar twenty-six ried only a few months, and had but recently returned from Missouri where he had served in Zion's Camp. They were vigorous, aggressive men whose loyalty the church leaders could count on, and they would See plenty of action in Missouri. With the unerring Tanner instinct, Sidney chose some excellent farm and timberland some distance from the city of Far West and set about to get it plowed and fenced. In every instance the Tanners |
