Item Detail
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18143
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0
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2
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English
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Leo Haefeli, Utah's Chameleon Journalist
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Utah Historical Quarterly
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Spring 2007
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75
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no.2
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149-163
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In Utah history, Leo Haefeli was known for his newspaper articles, poetry, and teaching. Haefeli was born in Switzerland and later in life immigrated to Utah, where he eventually joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Although English was not Haefeli's native tongue, he had a particular flair for the English language. Haefeli first began his career as a newspaperman when he was hired by the pro-Mormon newspaper Ogden Junction, later known as the Ogden Herald. During his employment by the Ogden Junction and Ogden Herald, Haefeli's literature was in tune with pro-Mormon viewpoints. Only six years later, Haefeli changed employment and began writing for the Ogden Daily News, a non-Mormon newspaper. Haefeli's stance flip-flopped with his change of employment. Instead of writing from a pro-Mormon viewpoint, Haefeli's writings became more liberal. At this time in his life, Haefeli was excommunicated from the Church for apostasy. Before his accidental death in 1892, Haefeli once again changed his literary stance and began writing pro-Mormon literature. He wrote poems and short stories for The Contributor, a journal published specifically for young LDS members. Despite his flip-flopping views and troubled life, Haefeli was a great journalist and educator, learning more of the techniques of leading American and European authorities than many others in Utah.