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John Sears Tanner

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For other people named John S. Tanner, see John S. Tanner (disambiguation).

John S. Tanner (born 1950) is the current Academic Vice President of Brigham Young University (BYU). Tanner is the husband of Susan W. Tanner, a former general president of the Young Women organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Biography

John Tanner grew up in southern California, one of 13 children. He served an LDS mission in Brazil.[1] Tanner received his bachelor's degree in 1974 from BYU. This same year he married Susan. He then began studies at the University of California at Berkley where he received his Ph.D. in 1980.[1]

Tanner began his academic career as an assistant professor at Florida State University. He has also been a Fulbright Scholar in Brazil.[2] Tanner became a member of the BYU faculty in 1982.[3] Tanner has focused much of his studies on John Milton. He wrote a book entitled Anxiety in Eden that received the Best Book Award from the Milton Society of America in 1992.[1] Tanner was also a contributor to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Tanner's article "The Body as a Blessing" (Ensign, July 1993) has even been quoted in General Conference, however the quoting was done by his wife.[4]

From 1992 to 1998 Tanner was the Associate Academic Vice President for Undergraduate and International Education at BYU. In this capacity he developed the Freshman Academy program to better transition new freshmen into BYU. He was also involved with developing BYU's current policy on academic freedom.[1] Tanner also oversaw changes in BYU's General Education requirements, including a reduction in the Physical Education requirement.[5]

From 1998 to 2003 Tanner served as the chair of the BYU English Department. In 2004 he was made the Academic Vice President of BYU. In this position Tanner normally announces changes in the administration under him.[6]

Tanner has served as both a bishop of the BYU 111th Ward.[7] He has also served as a stake president in the LDS Church.

Music

Tanner wrote the words to "Bless Our Fast We Pray", which is hymn # 138 in the 1985 English-language edition of the LDS Church hymnal. Tanner also wrote a "Sacrament Sonnet" that was published in The Ensign in 1981. [8]

Tanner was also involved with putting to music "Nephi's Psalm," a chapter[9] in the Book of Mormon. The first one, "I Love the Lord" was written to the tune of "Be Still My Soul" and was sung at the Priesthood Session of the April 2007 General Conference. His other adaption, "Sometimes My Soul," is based on the American folk tune "Poor Wayfaring Stranger."[10] Tanner also wrote an article in the Ensign on the power of hymns. [11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Academic Vice President Biographical Sketch: John S. Tanner, byu.edu, accessed 2008-02-22.
  2. ^ “Susan Winder Tanner Young Women General President,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, p. 123.
  3. ^ Mormon Literature & Creative Arts: John S. Tanner, byu.edu, accessed 2008-02-22.
  4. ^ Ensign, November 1995, p. 13
  5. ^ LDS Church News, May 13th, 1995
  6. ^ LDS Church News, January 5, 2008.
  7. ^ LDS.org - Liahona Article - Reflections on the Sacrament Prayers
  8. ^ Poetry Ensign, Sep. 1981, p. 5.
  9. ^ http://scriptures.lds.org/2_ne/4 2 Nephi 4:15-35
  10. ^ http://farms.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=10&num=2&id=253 Two Hymns Based on Nephi's Psalm
  11. ^ Blessings upon Our Heads Ensign, February 2004, p. 16
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