Mission guide
Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission
The Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission serves in a city rich in Argentine history, culture, and Church beginnings.
- Spanish
Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission shirts
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Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission T-Shirt
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Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
Spanish is the main language spoken in the mission and throughout Argentina.
At a glance
- Country
- Argentina
- Main city
- Buenos Aires (3,121,707 people in the city proper, 2022 census)
- Time zone
- Argentina Time (UTC-3)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers and cool winters
- Church in Argentina
- 491,160 members, 80 stakes, 732 congregations
A short history of the area
The city became the seat of Argentina’s national government in 1880. Buenos Aires gained autonomy through a constitutional amendment in 1994, and its residents elected their first chief of government in 1996.
The Church here
- 1923German immigrants Wilhelm Friedrichs and Emil Hoppe began preaching the gospel in Buenos Aires.
- December 1925Apostle Melvin J. Ballard arrived in Buenos Aires to dedicate South America for the preaching of the gospel and establish the South American Mission.
- December 12, 1925Elder Ballard baptized five people in the Río de la Plata, the first ordinances performed in South America since Book of Mormon times.
- December 25, 1925Elder Ballard dedicated South America for the preaching of the gospel.
- 1940sForeign missionaries were withdrawn from Argentina, and local members assumed leadership of branches and the mission organization.
- 1946Foreign missionaries returned to Argentina.
- 1966A stake was created in Buenos Aires.
- 1986The Buenos Aires Argentina Temple was dedicated.
- 2015A second temple in Córdoba was completed.
Temples nearby
Buenos Aires Argentina Temple
Dedicated January 17, 1986 · Near Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires City Center Argentina Temple
Announced · Near Buenos Aires
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- HolaHello
- ¿Cómo está?How are you?
- GraciasThank you
- Por favorPlease
Foods to try
- Asado (Argentine-style grilled meat)
- Empanadas (savory filled pastries)
- Choripán (grilled chorizo served in bread)
- Dulce de leche (sweet milk caramel spread)
Fun facts
- Buenos Aires has the oldest underground system in the Southern Hemisphere and the oldest in the Spanish-speaking world. It opened in 1913.
- The city has more than 280 theaters and is described as the World’s Capital of Theater.
- Tango was declared part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO on September 30, 2009.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.