Provo

When a coup overthrew the government of Sudan in 1989, Ahmed Gallab’s family fled to the United States. He was just five. In the 23 years since, Gallab has become a musician. And while his music is infused with the sounds of his heritage, it transcends far beyond that.

Mitt Romney often talks about his heritage in Mexico, and his faith in the Mormon Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a complicated history in Mexico — it’s growing rapidly today, but more than 100 years ago it was a place Mormons went to avoid a prohibition on polygamy.

As the Republican Party prepares to nominate its first Mormon candidate for president next week, there’s growing interest in Mormon practice — especially young Mormons serving missions around the world. Though numbers are down from the 1990s, many young Church members are still going abroad.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has over a million members in Mexico. And as Mexican Mormons move to the US, they bring their faith north with them.

As the Republican Party prepares to nominate its first Mormon candidate for president next week, there’s growing interest in Mormon practice, especially young Mormons serving missions around the world.