It was fun to sit down with Peggy Fletcher Stack about her time at Sunstone and Mark Hofmann. Peggy Fletcher Stack is a senior religion reporter at the Salt Lake Tribune with over three decades of experience. Peggy, also a co-host of the Tribune’s weekly “Mormon Land” podcast, discussed her extensive career, offering insights into her work, her background, and some of the pivotal moments she’s covered. The conversation quickly delved into the origins of her career, her time at the Sunstone organization, and even her connection to a notorious historical event.
Don’t miss our other conversations with Peggy: https://gospeltangents.com/people/peggy-fletcher-stack/
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Gospel Tangents
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Peggy’s long tenure in religion reporting at the Tribune spans 34 years. Before joining the paper, she was involved with Sunstone magazine and was the originator of the Sunstone Symposium. Recounting its beginnings, Peggy explained that as young people working on the magazine, they needed material to publish. She conceived the idea of holding a symposium where people could present, providing content for the magazin. Despite skepticism from some who felt they were “just kids,” the first symposium in the late 1970s or early 1980s was successful, leading it to become an annual event that has continued for over 40 years. Peggy noted that Sunstone often struggled financially but ultimately persevered.
Peggy’s early career included a period spent freelancing in Kenya. In 1985-1986, shortly after getting married, she and her husband used their wedding money to move to Kenya to do freelance writing and photography. They chose Kenya because it was English-speaking and stable at the time. While they hoped to sell stories, Peggy admitted they didn’t sell many. She described it as more of an adventure that provided a reason to travel and learn. She recently returned to Kenya for a conference with the International Association of Religion Journalists (IARJ), a group she helped found in 2012 and now serves as executive director.
Sunstone and Mark Hofmann
One of the most compelling parts of the early discussion was Peggy’s connection to Sunstone and Mark Hofmann bombings. Hofmann, known for forging historical documents related to Mormonism, had his “findings” discussed extensively at Sunstone. Peggy knew Mark Hofmann personally and conducted the only print interview he ever gave. Looking back at that interview, she realized he was lying throughout, something she didn’t recognize at the time. Peggy described Hofmann as socially awkward, noting he wouldn’t look her in the eye during the interview, which she initially attributed to social skill issues but now sees as a sign he was fabricating information. Remarkably, the Hofmann bombings happened on the same weekend as Peggy’s wedding, October 12, 1985. One of the victims, Steve Christensen, was a close friend, a major Sunstone donor, and a columnist. After the bombings, Peggy received calls from national media and initially suspected a business connection. However, when Mark Hofmann himself was injured in a bombing the next day, it became clear the events were tied to the documents. Peggy and her husband were warned they might be in danger, even checking their wedding presents for bombs and staying away from their apartment. This personal connection means Peggy always knows how long it’s been since the bombings by her wedding anniversary. Reflecting on that time, she acknowledged her lack of training as a journalist then and the difficulty of knowing Hofmann was lying. Even LDS Church leaders were fooled.
Path to Salt Lake Tribune
Peggy’s path to the Salt Lake Tribune was somewhat unexpected. After her time in Kenya, she and her husband moved to New York City, where she worked various jobs, including editing at a medical ethics think tank, working for the United Methodist Church communications department, proofreading at a law firm, and working at an Episcopal Church magazine. In the summer of 1991, while visiting Utah, Pat Bagley at the Tribune told her about a religion reporter opening. Despite living in New York, having no daily paper experience, and holding degrees in English and Sociology (with graduate study in American religious history) rather than journalism, she applied. She proposed helping launch the coverage for the summer, expecting to return to New York and help them find someone else, but the editor hired her immediately. Her first day on the job was the day after Salt Lake lost its bid for the 1998 Winter Olympics, and she was sent to cover the announcement that the Southern Baptist National Convention would come to Utah that same year. This first story, which connected the Southern Baptists’ decision to Utah’s abortion law and was placed on the front page, made her feel she might be good at the job. She initially committed to just a year but ended up staying for 34 years (so far.)
Discussing her academic background, Peggy emphasized the value of her English and Sociology degrees. While writing came easily due to her English background, writing quickly for a daily paper was a challenge. She highlighted how sociology, particularly the study of big themes, social trends, and cultural analysis from thinkers like Weber and Durkheim, helped her approach reporting. Although modern sociology often involves statistics, which she admits isn’t her strength, she appreciates how data analysis by others helps her understand and report on social dynamics. She advises aspiring journalists to study other subjects alongside journalism to gain a broader perspective.
What are your thoughts on Peggy’s career?
Don’t miss our other conversations with Peggy: https://gospeltangents.com/people/peggy-fletcher-stack/
Copyright © 2025
Gospel Tangents
All Rights Reserved
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