He developed the freshman academy program to better transition new freshmen into BYU and helped write the current university policy on academic freedom.
It was a scholarly attempt to deal with, among other things, issues surrounding archaeology study of ancient American societies portrayed in the Book of Mormon.
Tanner wrote BYU's educational aims (spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging, character building, lifelong learning and service).
On May 12, 2015, Russell M. Nelson, chairman of the executive committee of the BYU–Hawaii Board of Trustees, announced that effective July 27, 2015, Tanner would succeed Steven C. Wheelwright as the president of BYU-Hawaii.
[11] On May 12, 2020, Jeffrey R. Holland, chairman of the executive committee of the BYU–Hawaii Board of Trustees, announced that Tanner would be succeeded as the institution's president by John S. K. Kauwe III, effective July 1, 2020.
[12] Tanner wrote the words to "Bless Our Fast We Pray," which is hymn #138 in the 1985 English-language edition of the LDS Church hymnal.
[14] The first adaption, "I Love the Lord" was written to the tune of "Be Still My Soul" and has been sung at the priesthood session of both the October 1999 and April 2007 general conferences.