Scott and Julie Tanner: A Mission of Faith and Service

Scott and Julie Tanner were late to an interview recently, but that was a good thing. In late 2023, they were called to lead the Texas Dallas South Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dallas South is one of two new missions in Texas and joins three existing ones in the Dallas area. They said yes and moved to DeSoto to open the mission on July 1.

The reasons for that “yes” were deeply felt. Although such a decision is difficult, the Tanners have made covenants to dedicate themselves to building up the kingdom of God. And those promises mean they will serve when, where, and how they are asked. The benefits of being able to do this are many: an exciting look at the future, new friends, and new places. The Tanners last moved 30 years ago! Becoming an expert in so much technology is a challenge, though.

Beyond benefits are blessings, of course. Sis. Tanner said working with these missionaries, both young and seniors, is incredible: “To be around so much consecration is powerful. The missionaries aren’t perfect, but they are striving to live the gospel.”

The Tanners’ interview was scheduled one Sunday when they visited a congregation in the small Texas town of Corsicana. After speaking briefly at the end of the service, they attended Sunday school. People were excited to meet them because mission presidents and their wives spend most of their time working with the full-time missionaries. It was a treat to learn more about them.

One man, a visitor to church, was from Iran. He had come to learn more about what the local missionaries had taught him. He explained that he had been a member of other faiths but was hoping to find more truth. A young African American girl stood near Sister Tanner for a bit, too shy to speak at first, and waited while Sister Tanner quietly asked her name. Down the hall, the young women’s group leader explained how special the girls are, how insightful and spiritual. “They inspire me every single week,” she said.

When the Tanners did arrive for a quick conversation, they expressed joy at being in Corsicana and in Texas. “People in the south have loving natures,” Pres. Tanner noted. They’ve received warm welcomes everywhere. In their DeSoto neighborhood, people are kind and friendly. The Tanners began visiting neighbors on the 4thof July. They often left with gifts of food. “Our missionary badges create interest and spark questions,” Sis. Tanner explained.

One woman opened her heart to the Tanners. She is a widow and misses her husband. They have invited her to learn about the plan of salvation. As with many others, she already loves the Savior. They hope to teach her about the restoration of His Church.

The new mission covers a broad area of Texas: The city of Dallas south of University Park, down to just south Corsicana with a line down and around Palestine and Tyler, to the east of Shreveport, then up to Texarkana, south to Longview, and then back to Dallas via Mesquite. It is quite a puzzle piece. Within its boundaries are some great names of small Texas towns: Coushatta, Lufkin, Hemphill. The mission home is in DeSoto, relatively close to the other three missions in north Texas and to the DFW Airport.

Both the Tanners grew up in the Pasadena, California area. Their parents introduced them at a ward dance. After Pres. Tanner’s mission in Guatemala, they began dating. Pres. Tanner has worked in various businesses, using his finance and business management background. Sis. Tanner studied education and Spanish in college, so both Tanners speak that language.

The couple raised six children. Sis. Tanner loved serving on her local school board as an elected official. Not only did she learn how to knock on doors, but she also learned much about listening to people who are upset. Sharing ideas is another skill the two have developed.

Pres. Tanner explained how a mission differs from when he first served years ago in Central America. In 2024, scriptures are available on devices at everyone’s fingertips, he began. “About 21 years ago, missionaries began using Preach My Gospel, a tool for learning and preaching the gospel, which has recently been updated. It is still an extremely effective resource to help us invite others to come unto Christ by helping them to receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.” Communication is often digital now, and missions field hundreds of inquiries from social media—with people essentially knocking on the missionaries’ doors instead of the other way around.

The Tanners are new, but they already have advice for missionary success. They believe the key is collaboration between members and full-time missionaries in weekly meetings. Church youth are also essential. The Tanners are hosting a fireside for them on August 4th using the theme of “love, share, invite.”

Finally, the Tanners said that “a brave and courageous life is always better. There is more evil and more good in the world than ever before. Almost everyone is searching for joy and truth.” Clearly, the Tanners are ready to help seekers find those most precious things.