"...His left left from the tigh down was covered with black sores, through which the msucles of the limb, having formed into hollow tubes, or pipes, projected outward to the surface, out of which , matter was constatnly oozing. 

He had employed seven of the most eminent physicians in the country, but all their efforts were unavailing; the last one, Dr. Black, frankly told him that he could run up a heavy bill for medical attendance; "but," said he, "you are beyond the reach of medicine, and I can do you no good!"

For six months Mr. Tanner had neither let his diseaed limb hang down nor his foot touch the floor, but was obliged to keep the leg in a right angle with his body, resting it on pillows placed on some object directly in front of him. And yet, with all his bodily suffering, his mind was active and his noble, generous heart ever sympathizing with his fellow-man, beat with untiring zeal for the welfare of humanity. Feeling assured that he must soon die, he sought opportunities for doing good. 

He had a vehicle so constructed that he could move himself from place to place without assistance. In the forepart of September, 1832, a notice was circulated in the place where he lived, that two Latter-day Saint Elders would preach on a certain evening, at a place specified, not far from Mr.Tanners residence. He hailed the announcement with delight. It aforded him an opportunity (he thought) of doing an immense amount of good. He was conversant with the Bible and felt himself amply qualified to battle with heresy, especialy that of the Latter-day Saints, and by doing so, he could confer lasting benefit on his fellow-creatures. That was his aim and such his anticipations when the appointed evening arrived. He seated himself in his locomotive and wended his way to the meeting, feeling confident that he could silence the so-called "Mormons," whom he sincerely supposed were imposters; but long before the two Elders, who were Simeon and Jared Carter, finished their discourses, a wonderful change had comeover the mind of Mr. Tanner, and when they closed the evening services, he invited them to his home.

That evening a new era dawned upon his existence. After spending the evening in earnest conversation, when the clock struck the hour of eleven, he told the missionaries he was ready to be baptized, but that it would not be possible for him to receive the ordinance. They asked him, "Why not?" He said on account of his lameness, as he had not put his foot to the floor for the last six months, and could not possibly do it. One of the Elders asked him if he did not think there was power enough in the gospel of Jesus Christ anciently to heal all manner of diseases, to which he replied in the affirmative. He was then asked if he did not think that the same cause produced the same effect in all ages, and if there was not sufficient power in the gospel to heal him. Mr. Tanner replied that such a thought had not occured to him, but he believed that the Lord could heal him. Elder Jared Carter then arose and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to arise and walk, when, to use his own expression, "I arose, threw down my crutches, and walked the floor back and forth—back and forth, praising God, and I felt as light as a feather."

That same night he walked three-quarters of a mile to Lake George, and was baptized by Simeon Carter, and walked back, giving thanks to God, for his complete restoration to health."

[Scraps of Biograophy by vol. 10, pg. 10-11]