Date of Award

2025

Degree Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

History and Archival Studies, MA

Program

School of Arts and Humanities

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Matthew Bowman

Dissertation or Thesis Committee Member

Daniel Ramírez

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

© 2025 Kelsee Walker

Keywords

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormon, Rama Mexicana

Subject Categories

History

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.

ISBN

9798280720916

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