Salt Lake City

This time, our road trip in the American West takes us to Salt Lake City, Utah. Salt Lake City is known for two things: the mountains that surround it - good place for skiing in winter, and Mormons. After fifteen days of hiking and spectacular scenery, it was a bit groggy on arrival, but still has the opportunity to feel the crazy atmosphere of the city and discover Temple Square, the Vatican of the Mormons.

Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah, and Utah is the Mormon State - 57% of the population say Mormon. This is also the youngest state of the United States (Maine is the oldest). It had already passed in the south last year, Bryce Canyon and Zion Canyon.

Who are the Mormons?

Religions, especially the variety of religions, is a fairly common thing in the United States, in fact, what we called cult sect said while sect denotes more a religious group, not necessarily sectarian. We can cross around churches on behalf developed the "church of jesus savior of the world" or in this taste, with a sign inviting them to come and be part of the community.

Mormons were born in the early 19th century with Joseph Smith. Joseph "translated" stories sent to earth by an angel, and it gave the book of Mormon (which is found in all hotel bedside tables in the American West - if you ever have insomnia) . After being driven from Missouri, Mormons settled in the Rocky Mountains and founded Salt Lake City in the mid-19th century. We met other farms mormonnes from the first settlements west to Grand Teton in the Mormon Row. The Mormon religion is based primarily Christianity, they believe in the power of Jesus, pronounced Djizeusse. Mormons have been criticized for their polygamy (see Big Love series on this), which is however illegal for many years. Mormons are perfectly integrated in the life of every day, they do not wear costumes like the Amish. They often walk in pairs around the world to spread their good word (we sometimes see in the Paris metro in black suit, smiling, with a "Jesus" badge on the sleeve). 

The heart of Salt Lake City is Temple Square, Vatican true Mormon, consisting of buildings full of the strange architecture, preserved behind large gates, but open to public visit (and it's free). There are such a huge white temple built you would think sugar, a tabernacle, small chapels. We also passed by the famous Mormon genealogy library (their big dada is the posthumous baptism the Mormon religion, as has been Edith Piaf). The park everywhere, walking by two smiling young, skirt below the knee and affable. One hesitates to make a site visit, but we are caught by the torpor of summer heat and lack of interest in religion in general we away from this part of the story - albeit quite funny - State UNite. In addition to all these young people who show so much joy and happiness, it makes us as a bit spooky.

In wandering the wide avenues of Salt Lake City (the rest of the city is absolutely classic), it falls on a very blue French pastry, which is allowed to sample some delights. They are eaten in the middle of a square where a huge fountain throne - wave Proust's madeleine geysers we just left Yellowstone.

You can take  your time to go to the airport, through the capitol of Utah and a park commemorating the Mormon pioneers again founders of the city.