Learning in the Light

by John S. Tanner

The talks collected in this volume are drawn from John S. Tanner’s later years at Brigham Young University, prior to his appointment as president of BYU–Hawaii. They contain a record of how, as an administrator, he tried to keep the dream of BYU alive. More broadly, they speak to a vision of learning that has been central to Latter-day Saint doctrine and practice from the earliest days of the Church. He calls it learning in the light (see Psalm 36:9). Bruce C. Hafen observes, “Since I began teaching at BYU forty-five years ago, I have heard many talks and read many essays about BYU’s spiritual and intellectual mission. I’ve not heard that mission described more eloquently or with more insight than in John’s work. At his best, he is reminiscent of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, with whom he has much in common—intuitive confidence in gospel premises as the best foundation for sound reasoning; a high degree of awareness about cultural context; equally fluent, even native-tongued, in both the language of the scriptures and the language of liberal education; meek, bright, and empathic.”

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 5, 2017

Reviews

[Chrisanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An acquaintance once told me years ago that they were going to be hosting Susan Tanner. "Do you know who Susan Tanner is?" they asked me, after sharing that intimidating information. "Yes," I said, but added "Do you know who John Tanner is?"

They didn't.*

I discovered John Tanner while listening to all the BYU Speeches during one of my deathly dull jobs. Like Jeffrey Holland, Neal A Maxwell, Tad Callister, and Bruce Hafen, he has the ability to weave all that is lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy into a tapestry of meaning. It fed my weary soul as I sat in a dingy ER, walked in an over-stimulating gym, and was bombarded by AI images this week. I missed the opportunities to have him as a professor by months. Don't get me wrong, the professors I did study with were great. But they didn't know Donne like he did.

I wish I could purchase a hard copy of this.



*side note, I like Susan Tanner. In fact, I put her on par with Pat Holland.