Mormon Springs, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mormon Springs, Mississippi
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 Mormon Springs, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Mormon Springs, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Monroe |
| Elevation | 266 ft (81 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 662 |
| GNIS feature ID | 709363 |
Mormon Springs is a small, unincorporated community in Monroe County, Mississippi. An unincorporated community is a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Mormon Springs is located southwest of Gattman.
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History of Mormon Springs
Mormon Springs got its name from a special spring located nearby. This spring was used for baptisms by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Baptism is a religious ceremony where someone is dipped in water.
The Mississippi Saints' Journey
A very important event happened here on April 8, 1846. A group of 43 people, led by a man named John Brown, left Mormon Springs. Their big goal was to travel all the way to the Salt Lake Valley, which is now in Utah.
Among these travelers were John Holladay and Hark Wales. Hark Wales was one of the earliest African-American members of the LDS church. This group of settlers became known as the "Mississippi Saints."
New Settlements
The Mississippi Saints were very important because they helped create one of the first settlements outside of Salt Lake City. This community grew into what is known today as Holladay, Utah.
Later, some of the Mississippi Saints also became the first American settlers of San Bernardino, California. They played a big part in settling new areas in the western United States.
Post Office and Monument
A post office operated in Mormon Springs for a few years, from 1854 to 1860. Today, you can find a granite monument in Mormon Springs. This monument tells the story of the community and the Mississippi Saints, helping people remember their history.
