TREASURE IN HEAVEN – The John Tanner Story – Today a film by T.C. Christensen



Neal A. Maxwell has explained that: “Consecration is the only surrender that is also a victory.” We might say the same thing about sacrifice.


In 1834, making money was not a problem for a Bolton, New York businessman named John Tanner. His challenge was his heath, with a badly infected and probably gangrenous leg. Seven different esteemed doctors told him that his leg must be amputated or he would die.


But a chance meeting with Mormon Elders would change his health and life forever. He had not put weight on his damaged leg for six months. However, because of his faith, he was commanded by Mormon Elder Jared Carter to and rise up and walk. He did so and was immediately healed and walked the quarter mile to be baptized in Lake George, that very evening.


His association with the Prophet Joseph Smith was one of mutual respect and friendship. When John Tanner was asked to give, he gave everything. He sold his hotels, two large farms, a dairy, an island, several homes, orchards, a sawmill and over 2200 acres of timberland. Tanner was largely responsible for donating the money that saved the Kirtland Temple property from foreclosure.


His story is not only about what he gave but also about what he gave up. Even though the word of wisdom at that time was not a commandment, he freely gave up alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee.


In fact he gave all he had, presenting us an example of sacrifice and generosity in serving the Lord.


In a few short years he went from vast wealth to begging bread for his family. He gave over 50,000 dollars to the Church, the equivalent of over 250 million today. In the 1840s, he was called on a mission to the eastern states and Joseph Smith promised him that his family would never again beg bread.


John had found the Pearl of Great Price and did not bother about the cost. He died six years later in the Salt Lake Valley.


John Tanner’s descendants include: N. Eldon Tanner, Marion D. Hanks, Hugh B. Brown and James E. Faust.


Leonard J. Arrington, in a 1979 Ensign article said, “John Tanner gave the Church two fortunes; his wealth and a family that has built the kingdom ever since.”


Brother Tanner is quoted as saying, “If other people had an easier life than I did, then they didn’t learn as much.”

Carla’s Story


I recently went to a funeral for a relative and a gal named Carla told the following story:



“Now that Dad has died, I have been asked to say a few words about the memories I have of him. I remember as a little girl I would ride with Dad through some of the desolate roads in Nevada. He would take me along to look at sites for the Agriculture Extension Program. He had a humorous way of looking at life and would make up songs of his own. One of the songs I remember included the lyrics of: “Never hit your mother in the head with a shovel, for it could leave a bad impression on her mind.”


Dad had a funny way of driving. The isolated Nevada roads were long, straight and boring and he frequently did not get much sleep between trips. There were no speed limits then and he would start out at 90 mph and slowly drop to 60 mph before he would suddenly wake up and resume his speed and after a time, do it again. I was too timid to say anything about it and he always kept the car straight. Thank goodness that this was before cruise control.


On one occasion he started out at 90 and slowly decreased his speed to zero with me holding on to the steering wheel during the last of the distance. When we finally came to a stop I screamed, ‘Dad!” and he woke up.


During one road trip, I was asleep on the back seat and my brother was in the front seat, visiting with Dad. We stopped for gasoline and a bathroom break; the stop woke me up and while they were gone, I left for the girl’s bathroom.


When they came out they were talking and thought that I was still asleep in the back seat. They left without me. I watched them disappearing into the distance and started walking in the direction they were traveling. About a half hour later they returned down that same road and we were together again. It was a pretty scary experience for me but I learned later that my brother said to my Dad, where is Karla? Dad looked at the back seat and said, ‘What the heck,’ and turned around. I love you, Dad and I’ll never forget you!!”

JUST SHOW UP



A member of the stake presidency shared with us the following:


“We were at the Salt Lake Temple to do baptisms for the dead. Fourteen laurel age girls had pledged to be there, but, for whatever reason, six of the girls did not show up. After the baptisms were over, a temple worker informed us that if we would just stand in the hallway, The First Presidency and the Twelve would be walking by on their way to another meeting. With wet hair, the girls and their leaders stood there as two security people approached and said that when the Brethren came by we were just to smile and say nothing unless they spoke to us, because the group had many matters of business to attend to that day.


Pres. Uchdorf and Pres. Eyring were first and both smiled broadly and shook our hands, while Pres Monson, who had a box of chocolates, passed them out to all of us as he visited warmly. We then shook each of the hands of the Twelve. After a short time, they were gone and we were all thrilled to have met them, feeling like it would be a shame to wash our hands after greeting our wonderful leaders.


The next day was fast Sunday and each of the Laurels that were there bore their testimonies over what had happened. They were reminded again that we are led by prophets, seers and revelators. With tear filled eyes they praised God and thanked him for giving them such an opportunity.


Six other laurels in the congregation were crying too, but instead, scolding themselves for not being there. We know not what blessings await us if we will stay the course and just show up."

The Rescue


It happened off the coast of Vietnam. A group of Navy Seals moved silently onto the shore during a moonless night, their mission highly classified. It was a five man team and they had only 12 hours max to complete the assignment and rendezvous with the ship that would bring them back. Their stealthy approach eventually brought them to the outskirts of a small unnamed village, guarded by a detachment of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), many disguised as common villagers.

Intelligence reports had been delivered to friendly headquarters for some time and the NVA had divided their forces in order to retrieve supplies from a neighboring encampment. Now was the time to strike and then melt back into the jungle. The objective was a large cache of explosives, hidden in a cave near the village. The Seal Team was to take out the guards of the cave, set the timed detonations and be gone far from the area before the gigantic explosion took place. This was to be done in the dark with the most profound silence.

The team had practiced for months and no detail had been overlooked, or so they thought. When they arrived at the village, it was still several hours before dawn. They set up a make shift perimeter and two of team headed for the cave entrance. They found a sleeping guard just outside the front of the cave and began setting demolition devices, well past the entrance. Stores of ammunition and bombs could be seen everywhere, with the aid of their special flashlights. They finished the charges and were beginning to exit the cave. So far, everything had gone as planned; unfortunately, that was about to change.

“What are you guys doing?” The sound came from deep within the cave. The two demolition experts froze; one because no one was supposed to be in the cave and two because the question came in English. The team members quickly crouched and pulled their weapons, suspiciously shining their lights at the source of the question. There, within a steel cage, sat three, scrawny American prisoners in tattered uniforms. The seals stared at each other for only a moment and then put their fingers to their lips, gesturing for silence. Finding a nearby crowbar, they quietly spread the lock that held the three captive and bid them follow.

Outside, the other seal members were briefed at what had happened. The three former prisoners communicated that they were the only three captives in the area. Now, with a group of eight, the tiny caravan exited the village without a shot being fired. They reached the rendezvous point and informed the ship that eight would be boarding instead of five. After they were all safely on board the Navy ship, they could hear and see, in the distance, a tremendous explosion that lit up the dawn sky. Mission accomplished with three added bonuses.

WATCHED BY ANGELS



A friend told me the following:


It happened in 1998. We had just finished having family prayer and I had a strong feeling that we were being watched over by a group of angels. I asked my wife and our children if they felt the same way and they said they could definitely feel the protective gaze of heavenly beings.


My first thought was that we were soon to be involved in something dangerous or perhaps a tragedy was looming that we needed protection from. However, after a few days, this proved to be groundless. Not long after, however, I realized that we had been searching our family history for our ancestors on one side of our genealogy but had encountered several obstacles.


It was then that I realized that our family had been chosen to receive information that would lead to the ordinance work being performed for that part of our family. Through a series of events, we were put in touch with a family member that was able to provide the required information.


I know that there are those on the other side of the veil who want their work completed and we felt humbled that they chose to make us the instruments to get it done.