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Show Appendix 375 "Reminiscences," By Elizabeth A paper read at at * I was raised near Beswick Tanner Tanner reunion held in a Payson, Utah, Christmas, 1884. * Bolton, N.Y. * on *' the banks of Lake George. In November 1825 at the age of twenty I was married to John Tanner whose wife had died leaving him with a large family of children. He had a comfortable home and was considered a wealthy man in that part of the country. our In the winter of 1832-33 elders Simeon and Jared Carter came to preach the gospel. Shortly after other elders came, but Mr. house to Tanner did not think much about their doctrine until the death of one of our neighbor's children when one of them preached the funeral sermon. Some of our neighbors joined the church and we attended some of the meetings. He was a man given to hold his opinions strenuously and not easily led by new doctrines. OUT sectarian neighbors made considerable stir and attracted Mr. Tanners attention through their controversies. He told them at the time that if the principles were of God they would stand if not they would fall to the ground. In the meantime he had been afflicted for several months with a sore leg. He had to ride when he went out and carry his leg on a pillow, not being able to put his foot to the ground and many thought he would lose it. Bro's Jared and Simeon Carter visited him one day and after talking with him awhile administered to him and commanded him to arise and walk which he immediately done, throwing away his crutches and never using them any more. The following day, Sept. 17, 1833 we were both in Lake George and confirmed on the waters edge, by Jared and Simeon Carter. Our house was opened from that time as a home for the elders who came to that part of the country. When the word of wisdom was preached we discarded the use of tea, coffee, and spiritous liquors, he being strenuous in observing all of the laws of the church. As soon as he could sell his farm and arrange his business and move to Kirtland. In the mean time he determined to take his baptized family he had fitted out two of his sons, Nathan and John (J) Tanner who went to Kirtland and joined Zions Camp in their expedition into M.O. He also fitted our three of his neighbors with their families to go to Kirtland. Dec. 25 1834 he started with his family bringing his sons and their wives also four neighbors families numbering in all about forty five souls. He had several good teams a stock of merchandise and con siderable money. When we arrived the church was in great difficulty for want of money to pay for the farm which the temple was being built on, it being under mortgage, the mortgage having matured and notice been given that the money must be paid the next day after we arrived in the evening. He immediately loaned two thousand dollars for that purpose. He also |
