Through the Camera Lens, Part 3
The Faces of the Saints in Russia
A Photographic Essay by Scot Facer Proctor

We could not get over how full of the Spirit these Saints in Russia are. They are just bright and shining lights, full of light and joy. So many of them wanted to be photographed it was hard to not just pass a message around in Russian for all of them to line up and I would photograph each one. It brought me so much joy to record their faces and now to share them with you. As we started to do yesterday, here today we introduce you to your brothers and sisters in Russia.

I took three photos of this family---one while they weren’t looking, two after they responded to the first shot and this, the third shot where they lined up like a family group shot—all of which took place in about three seconds.

I saw this brother a number of times through the afternoon and just wish I would have time to learn his story. He just seemed like he had a story (as all of these Saints have).

This family was so beautiful and these young girls were full of light and energy. I could not communicate very much to them except saying the word, ‘fotograf?” and putting my hand over my heart. They immediately agreed.

I just wanted so much to sit down and talk to these two woman. I knew they would have great stories to tell about WW II, living through Communism, joining the Church, etc. I only had time to photograph them.

The more I looked around the more I thought I had seen various people before, but then I realized I had photographed them coming into the hall or outside. I truly loved getting to know these, my brothers and sisters.

I love studying these pictures and just seeing how much the Saints here are the same as the Saints in the States. I love seeing that one sister holding her Russian copy of the Book of Mormon. I love the reservations on the face of the sister on the left.

Everyone came dressed in their best cloths. The brother on the right was one of the ushers at the meeting with the Prophet.

This sweet couple kept signaling to me to take their picture. I gladly did so. I was not sure if they were married or engaged, although I believe the ring on her right hand would indicate they are married.

This sweet missionary was helping this young brother tie his tie. I tried to talk to as many of the missionaries as I could. I always ask where each is from and usually I can make a connection somehow with a mutual friend. I got into a group of six missionaries and went around the circle and found that one was from my boyhood hometown of Rolla, Missouri. It’s truly a small world.

Click here to go to Part 4, The Russian Saints Come Marchin’ In

 

Come every day to Meridian so that you too can follow the Prophet through Europe. And please…spread the word about Meridian to your friends and family around the world.