Coalville Tabernacle 4 story, 1971 March 03

Item — video: 18

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Coalville church members begin demolition of tabernacle. 03:03.

Louise Degn's note: Viewing the stand-up with 30 years of hind-sight, I think it is biased and one-sided. The stand-up did not run in the 6pm version of the story, however I showed it to my supervisor (Ted Capener) before editing it into the 10pm version. He advised against using it, but said I could if I wanted to. So I did. The story angered Church leaders who thought their own station had betrayed them. By Friday, their displeasure had rumbled down through the hierarchy to my supervisor who sternly reprimanded me. Specifically, he asked why I had neglected to include the statement issued on Wednesday (the day of the demolition) by the First Presidency of the LDS Church. I had seen the statement on the newswire but had dismissed it because it contained no new information. I have since learned in my journalism career that the fact that a statement is issued is news itself, regardless of the content. Historical Note: The building in the background of the Fitzen interview is the three-story Bank of Utah building on the southwest corner of State and South Temple, which was later torn down. Original script available.

Dates

1971 March 03

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