The Methodist Minister Reverend George Lane (1784–1859) is one of many of the personalities who touched early Mormonism and whose initial role has drifted into comparative obscurity. Rev. Lane was, according to certain accounts, instrumental in moving Joseph Smith to make his epic inquiry of the Lord with the attendant vision of the Father and Son. The renewed research on Mormon origins has pointed out how very little we know of Rev. Lane and his contact with Joseph Smith, which fact has motivated this study of the man and his positive relationship to Mormonism.
