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Abstract

This thesis examines the religious participation of three immigrant sisters, Agustina Rivera de Torres, Dolores Rivera de Torres, and Domitila Rivera de Martínez, who were long-term members of Rama Mexicana, the first known Spanish-speaking congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah. During Rama Mexicana’s existence from the 1920s through 1960 (when it was converted from a branch into a ward), many of its members believed themselves to be descendants of Book of Mormon Lamanites through their indigenous heritage. This belief in a sacred Lamanite lineage, in part, allowed Rama Mexicana to become a place of racial and religious meaning and practice.Incorporating evidence from oral histories, church minute books, newspaper articles, and other materials, this study seeks to highlight the Rivera sisters’ influence in the development of a Lamanite religio-racial identity within Rama Mexicana. Through missionary work, temple and family history work, cultural celebrations, food, performances, and an investment in language and cultural preservation, the Rivera sisters’ devotion was an integral part of Rama Mexicana. Such practices and beliefs assisted in helping Rama Mexicana to retain a Latin American distinctiveness within broader Mormon and American culture in Salt Lake City.

Details

1010268
Title
“Sé Exactamente de Donde Vine”: The Rivera Sisters and the Development of a Lamanite Religio-Racial Identity in Salt Lake City’s Rama Mexicana
Number of pages
60
Publication year
2025
Degree date
2025
School code
0047
Source
MAI 86/12(E), Masters Abstracts International
ISBN
9798280720916
Committee member
Ramírez, Daniel
University/institution
The Claremont Graduate University
Department
School of Arts and Humanities
University location
United States -- California
Degree
M.A.
Source type
Dissertation or Thesis
Language
English
Document type
Dissertation/Thesis
Dissertation/thesis number
31939279
ProQuest document ID
3216760302
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/sé-exactamente-de-donde-vine-rivera-sisters/docview/3216760302/se-2?accountid=208611
Copyright
Database copyright ProQuest LLC; ProQuest does not claim copyright in the individual underlying works.
Database
ProQuest One Academic