Leader Biography

Brother John Sears Tanner

John Sears Tanner, 63, was serving as mission president of the Brazil São Paulo South Mission when he was called as the first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency. He has served in numerous other Church callings including Primary teacher, seminary teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, stake Young Men president, bishop, and stake president.

John Sears Tanner received a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University and a Doctorate in English from the University of California-Berkley. He has worked as a professor of English at Florida State University and Brigham Young University and as academic vice president of BYU. He and his wife Susan Winder are the parents of five children.