In April 2003 President Susan W. Tanner said, "To be steadfast in Christ implies keeping covenants. Each week we renew our baptismal covenants to take His name upon us, to "always remember him," and to "keep his commandments". We are steadfast in Christ when we do these things, and our spirits are lifted and our hearts are filled with love. Simply stated, when I keep my covenants, I feel hope and I feel love."
We felt hope and love as we visited with Sister Tanner for this episode. Listeners will remember her from her time as the Young Women's general president from 2002 to 2008.
In this conversation, Sister Tanner shares about nurturing and ministering in her family and in the church. She also shares personal interactions with President Oaks, including how he came to minister to her and her husband, John, following a serious bike accident.
Susan Tanner, daughter of Richard and Barbara Winder, grew up with her three brothers on a dairy farm in Granger, Utah, surrounded by her extended family. Susan graduated from BYU with a degree in Humanities with an emphasis in English and French. She loves to read, run, hike, cook, and sew. She and her husband, John, have lived in California, Florida, England, Brazil, Utah, and Hawaii. Sister Tanner is the mother of five children, including one son and four daughters. More than anything, she loves being a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Sister Tanner has presided over all the women's auxiliaries at both the ward and stake levels and has served as a temple ordinance worker. She has been on Church writing committees and was a member of the Relief Society General Board for a few months before being called as Young Women General President in 2002. In 2009, she was called to write a book about the history and purpose of Relief Society, Daughters in My Kingdom. Sister Tanner served with her husband as mission leaders in the Brazil, São Paulo South Mission. Later, Brother and Sister Tanner enjoyed serving as president and companion at BYU Hawaii.
