Southern Saints : Making a Mormon Community in the San Luis Valley
San Luis Valley Historian
2003
35
no.3
2003
5-17
Many Southern Mormon converts were poor and were seemingly attracted to join the Church because of the persecution and injustice that they witnessed. They were particularly incensed over the lack of justice that they witnessed in regard to the murder of Joseph Standing. In 1878, the first Southern Mormon converts traveled to the San Luis Valley in Colorado. They established the town of Manassa. Danish Saints from Utah were sent to help these Southern Saints learn how to farm by irrigation and dry farming. They also helped these new Southern Mormons establish themselves and become rooted in Mormonism. After a time, discord developed because of cultural differences and imbalances and perceived unfairness in ecclesiastical leadership.