1970, Hunter and Cannon became founding editor and assistant editor of The Utah
Independent: The Conservative Marketplace of Utah which was written by and for Mormon
members of the Birch Society.
See Byron Cannon Anderson, "Open Letter to Utah Citizens,"
Mar. 1966, folder 5, box 184, Frank E. Moss papers, Western Americana, Marriott Library;
"Young, But Eager, He Looks for Political Chance," Deseret News, 30 Sept. 1965, B-l; "Welch
Raps "Senseless' U.S. Policy," Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Apr. 1966, B-l; Anderson, "Church and
Birch In Utah"; "David O. McKay: Prophet-Patriot," and staff list, Utah Independent, 12 Feb.
1970,1-2; "Birch Society PR Speaker," Utah Independent, 9 Apr. 1970,1; "What Is The John
Birch Society," Utah Independent, 28 May 1971, 6-7,9; "The Communist Attack on The John
Birch Society," Utah Independent, 21 Apr. 1972, 4-7; "Birchers Ask Economic Sanctions on
Communists," Utah Independent, 19 May 1972, 4; and the regular column from Birch
headquarters in Belmont, Massachusetts,
......
The newspaper published by Mormon members of the Birch Society
was significant for what lay between the lines of its report of April 1970
conference. The Utah Independent began with the comment that church
members will remember this general conference "for decades to come" and
noted: "Despite persistent rumors to the contrary, no violence took place
at the conference. No opposition was manifest by Church members when
the names of general authorities were presented for sustaining." Of Lee's
talk two days before this vote, the Utah Independent observed: "Special
interest has centered around the talk given by President Harold B. Lee at
the Saturday evening general priesthood session," and quoted excerpts
....
281. Byron Cannon Anderson, "LDS General Conference Sustains Pres. Smith," Utah
Independent, 9 Apr. 1970, 1, 4. Mormon Birchers had edited this newspaper since its
founding in 1970. Its connection with the national society became obvious in 1976 when its
regular column from national headquarters in Belmont, Massachusetts, was formally
named "The Birch Log" as of Utah Independent, 5 Aug. 1976, 3.