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October 1950. Salt Lake City, Utah. "Mormon boys receiving Communion." Acetate negative from photos by Jim Hansen for the Look magazine assignment "Mormons: We Are a Peculiar People," written by Lewis W. Gillenson. View full size.
Every LDS Church's wards and branches have Sacrament meeting on Sunday. Nowadays, it's generally about an hour long. Members of the congregation give talks. We sing, as well. The bishop conducts any ward business. The most important part is taking the sacrament, which is bread and water, signifying, of course, the body and blood of Christ. These boys are deacons, who are usually ages 12-14. The older priests behind them have just blessed the sacrament, and the deacons are going to distribute it to members of the congregation. This has been going on since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in 1830 by Joseph Smith.
Maybe it's just me, but I'm getting a young Jonathan Harris (Lost in Space's Dr. Smith) vibe from the fellow on the left – the one in the natty Norfolk jacket.
Such a variety of styles: double-breasted suit, V-neck sweater and pleated trousers, untucked rumpled shirt. And seasons: wool, tropical shirts. But snappy hair on all the lads! That tall fellow on the left does scare me a bit, though.
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