While some may view Jerald and Sandra Tanner only as Despised Critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is impossible to trace the course of Mormon history over the past sixty years without acknowledging their contribution.
Despised or beloved, the influence of Jerald and Sandra Tanner cannot be underestimated or ignored..
Utah Lighthouse was long the only source for Mormon scholars to obtain crucial historical reprints, which they still happily or begrudgingly purchase; for others, the Tanners\' writings have been the source of disillusionment with the church.
The Tanners consistently challenged the church\'s position on many historical issues.
Jerald died in 2006 but Sandra continues to oversee the ministry.
Their Utah Lighthouse Ministry has operated for decades only blocks from church headquarters, where their many works on Mormonism are still printed and sold.
Many both inside and outside of Mormonism respect them for their unflinching quest for truth no matter the cost, as when Jerald declared Mark Hofmann\'s notorious Salamander Letter a forgery months before some experts declared it authentic.
While some may view Jerald and Sandra Tanner only as Despised Critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is impossible to trace the course of Mormon history over the past sixty years without acknowledging their contribution
