I’ve gone according to the contemporary newspaper accounts as to the “wrestling” part. I even wondered, but no one I asked knew for certain, if the trumpet was actually cast as a separate piece.

The bombing of the Temple doors took place early on 14 November 1962. I don’t know what happened to the bombers, but this interesting report is recorded in David O. McKay’s office diary:

As I left the Hotel to take a morning’s walk, I learned of the explosion which occurred on the outside of the east door of the Salt Lake Temple at 1:30 a.m. by a bomb planted by someone unknown. I immediately went over to see what damage had been done. The explosive, which was probably attached to the right hand doorknob of the large, double oak doors, blasted a five-inch hole through the righthand entrance door. Flying fragments of metal and debris were shot through glass panels into a set of interior doors several feet behind the large entrance doors. Nine exterior windows were shattered. Fortunately, the heavy oak doors can be repaired, and the windows replaced. I was dismayed to learn that there is no watchman on duty between the hours of 12 o’clock midnight and 6 o’clock in the morning.

I directed that all “crank letters” which have been received during the past year be turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation officials. I also called Bishop Victor L. Brown of the Presiding Bishopric’s office and told him that I was surprised to learn that the Temple grounds were unguarded between the hours of midnight and 6 o’clock in the morning; that that must not be – that someone should be on guard every minute and especially during the night and early morning hours.

Bishop Brown said that he is holding a meeting of all the outside attendants and workers this morning and that he would report to me later. I said that the men of the FBI and local Police Department had [been] instructed to keep in touch with me about their findings in this case.

Fun times.

Surely this unique event must have been photographed. Have you ever heard of, or seen, any photographs of this ascent to Moroni’s shoulders?

Also, if my memory serves me correctly, isn’t the original Moroni a copper or bronze statue? If so, I would think that it would take much more than just wrestling the trumpet back to Moroni’s lips in order for it to withstand some of the high winds of the valley. I would think that the trumpet would have had to be either soldered or perhaps even welded back into place to be sure that it stayed put.

Fascinating story. By the by, did they ever catch the bomber who placed a bomb in front of the eastern doors of the Salt Lake Temple? (In the mid to late 50′s, I believe.) I understood that the explosion shattered the doors but they did not open. The present pair (SE corner, if memory serves me) are replacements.