The Mormons

In the wild West of the United States, a land of frontier and conquest, the roots of North America intertwine with the stories of pioneers, cowboys, and religious communities seeking a place to settle and freely practice their beliefs. Among them, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith, faced persecution before migrating west under Brigham Young, leading to the founding of Salt Lake City in 1847, which remains the center of the Church today.

In the vast and geographically dispersed Western United States, physical distance can intensify social isolation, especially in rural and suburban areas. In this context, religious communities play a key role in providing connection and belonging.

The Church offers not only a place of worship but also a refuge from isolation, fostering support and connection in response to individualism. Central to this is the importance of family, considered a sacred institution and the foundation of spiritual life. Families are encouraged to participate together in church activities, strengthening bonds and reinforcing a shared sense of purpose.

This photographic project, carried out in February 2024 in Utah, across Salt Lake City, Midway, Park City, Saint George, and Hurricane, focuses on Italian-origin families, documenting their lives and their relationship with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.