Group Blog #2: Religious District

Mitchell Cox

For our second walkabout, we went to SLC’s religious district, a group of buildings owned by the LDS church, on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, in the early evening. Our walkabout group was there, along with individuals who either worked or volunteered in the district, as well as tourists and simple passerby’s. Our role was similar to that of the tourists, taking in the buildings, the scenes, and learning about the district. We seemed out of place, however, as most of the other tourists were older couples or groups. Our tour guide, John, gave us a questioning look when we walked into the conference center, even asked us to elaborate on our reasons for our “school project.”

That evening, most of the individuals were employees or volunteers. There did not seem to be many people there for religious reasons. For example, I did not see individuals meditating or praying, which we noticed as odd, as it is the “religious district.” There were tourists, but most of the people were simply working or volunteering. They were, in a sense, people “on a mission.” There is a feeling of the district being public, but there were undertones of exclusiveness, even unwritten rules. Every employee and volunteer dressed formally, which relates to the questioning looks we received walking around, as we didn’t seem to belong in our normal attire. Andrew even said, “it feels weird being here and not in a suit,” which speaks to the unstated dress code of the area.

Everyone was respectful in their language and tone, and talked quietly, as if their voices would disturb some sort of sanctity of the place. Individuals or groups of individuals isolated themselves from others and didn’t seem to welcome others. Within the buildings, there were paintings and sculptures that conveyed specific religious messages of the church.

Overall, the district is gorgeous. It’s a very professional place as well, one where individuals don’t deviate from the “unwritten” rules. It is a place that screams of conservative views, lacking any sort of liberal influence. Our group was, in fact, almost out of place in our normal attire. Individuals were in suits, dresses, and other formal wear. We, in basketball shorts, jeans, and t-shirts, were treated nicely, but almost frowned upon for not being dressed up as well. That, too, added to the exclusive nature of the district.

The LDS district is very nice, pristine, and beautiful. However, the exclusive nature and the seemingly unwritten rules, take away from the public nature. Also, our group definitely seemed out of place, the only group of college age. Amidst the religious messages, many of us were lost. It is definitely a place built for those who are Mormon and a place that could be difficult to grasp for those who aren’t.