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Pondering the tremendous Tabernacle accomplishment, one can only feel to honor all who gave of talent, time, or means to make it possible, and to particularly remember the four men whose vision, ingenuity and artistry thrust them up as leaders in the challenge, each one adding a different dimensions:
President Brigham Young for his foresight in realizing the need for such a building, his inspiration regarding its design and his watchful eye and persuasive influence in seeing it brought to desired completion.
Architect William H. Folsom for his ability in translating President Young’s vision into well-drawn plans and masterfully executing the architect’s duties in seeing the vision properly interpreted in the building exterior.
Henry Grow for so ably superintending construction of the unique roof.
Architect Truman O. Angell for designing the balcony and the beautiful and functional interior, and for assuming the architect’s role in bringing the ediface to completion.
With each man’s contribution so great and necessary and so specialized, and the need for harmonious effort so vital, it seems unfortunate that controversy arose. From our vantage point a century later, it is useless to conjecture all that was involved, but it seems fair to acknowledge that part of the problem was connected with the title of architect. Folsom consistently maintained that he was the architect and that he drew the Tabernacle plans, but no one seems to know why these plans were inadvertently left with his many other plans and drawings in the cupola room of his home when he sold it. As of 1972, some members of the family who purchased the Folsom home verify the fact that the Tabernacle plans were in this room, that they saw and handled them, and that they were among the items which the Fire Department ordered burned.
That these plans really did exist is verified in an article published by the Salt Lake Herald of March 31, 1901, just two weeks after Folsom’s death. It alluded to the controversy, by stating that Henry Grow carried business cards with a picture of the Temple, Tabernacle, and Assembly Hall on one side and a signed statement by Mr. Grow in which he says he is the Architect of the Tabernacle.
The Herald maintained, however, that the Folsom family has "documentary evidence in the shape of original plans and drawings of the Tabernacle which bear the signature of William Harrison Folsom".
The Bancroft document is the Berkeley Library contains these verified statements from William H. Folsom:
"I was six years architect for the church on Salt Lake Temple and architect of the Tabernacle and drew the plans for the same, but Brigham Young gave me the idea and explained to me what he wanted, and I drew the plans and they were accepted..."