Mission guide

Belgium/Netherlands Mission

The Belgium/Netherlands Mission connects Dutch- and French-speaking communities with the rich history of the Low Countries.

Dutch
French

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Belgium/Netherlands Mission shirts & apparel

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

Belgium/Netherlands Mission T-Shirt

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Belgium/Netherlands Mission Heart Map Shirt

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Belgium/Netherlands Mission Flag Map Shirt

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission and English

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Dutch on Heather Grey: “Ik roem in mijn Jezus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Dutch

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Dutch, white ink on Midnight Navy: “Ik roem in mijn Jezus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Dutch

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus shirt in French on Heather Grey: “Je mets ma gloire en mon Jésus”, 2 Néphi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – French

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in French, white ink on Midnight Navy: “Je mets ma gloire en mon Jésus”, 2 Néphi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – French

$29.00

Choose size & color →

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in English, white ink on Maroon: “I glory in my Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink)

$29.00

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Weak Things Become Strong, in the languages of this mission and English

"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

Weak Things Become Strong shirt in Dutch on Heather Columbia Blue: “Ik zal maken dat zwakke dingen sterk worden”, Ether 12:27

Weak Things Become Strong Shirt – Dutch

$29.00

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Weak Things Become Strong shirt in French on Heather Columbia Blue: “Je rends les choses faibles fortes”, Éther 12:27

Weak Things Become Strong Shirt – French

$29.00

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Weak Things Become Strong shirt in English on Dark Heather Grey: “I make weak things become strong”, Ether 12:27

Weak Things Become Strong Shirt – English

$29.00

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About the mission

The Belgium/Netherlands Mission serves Belgium and the Netherlands. Leiden is listed as its main city, placing missionaries near one of the Netherlands’ historic university cities.

Dutch and French are the main mission languages. Dutch is widely used in the Netherlands and northern Belgium, while French is important in southern Belgium and Brussels.

At a glance

Country: Belgium and the Netherlands
Main city: Leiden, 127,046 people in the municipality on 31 January 2023
Languages: Dutch and French
Time zone: Central European Time (UTC+1)
Church in Belgium: Approximately 6,000 members

A short history of the area

Leiden grew on an artificial hill called the Burcht van Leiden, where the Oude Rijn and Nieuwe Rijn meet. The settlement was called Leithon, a name linked to the Germanic word leitha, meaning “canal.” The city is also known as Sleutelstad, or “Key City.”

Leiden supported the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule in 1572 and survived a Spanish siege in 1574. William I of Orange founded the University of Leiden in 1575 as a reward for the city’s defense. The city later became known for science, medicine, and learning.

The Church here

1840Elder Orson Hyde stopped in Amsterdam and Rotterdam while traveling to Jerusalem and preached to Jewish rabbis.
1861Missionaries were assigned to the Netherlands in August, beginning regular missionary work there.
1864The Netherlands Mission was organized on 1 November.
1888Mischa Markow baptized Henrietta Esselmann and her children in Antwerp, among the first Belgian Latter-day Saint conversions.
1891Belgium was added to the Netherlands Mission, which became the Netherlands-Belgium Mission.
1890sMissionaries established branches in Antwerp, Liège, and Brussels by the middle of the decade.
2002The Netherlands Amsterdam Mission was consolidated with the Belgium Brussels Mission to form the Belgium Brussels/Netherlands Mission.
2018The Belgium Netherlands Mission was presided over by its first native Belgian mission president.

Temples nearby

The Hague Netherlands Temple

Dedicated September 8, 2002 · Near Leiden

Brussels Belgium Temple

Under construction · About 90 miles from Leiden

The Book of Mormon here

Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.

Dutch Read it free → French Read it free →

Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Before you go

Phrases to learn

GoedendagHello or good day
Dank uThank you
BonjourHello or good day
MerciThank you

Foods to try

Hutspot (a mashed potato dish with carrots and onions, traditionally served during Leiden’s 3 October celebration)
Stroopwafels (thin waffles joined with a sweet syrup filling)
Belgian waffles (light, crisp waffles often served with toppings)
Belgian fries (thick-cut fried potatoes commonly served with sauces)

Fun facts

Leiden’s annual 3 Oktober festival celebrates the end of the Spanish siege in 1574 and includes parades, historical events, a hutspot feast, and a funfair.
Rembrandt van Rijn was born and educated in Leiden.
The Leyden jar, an early capacitor, was invented in Leiden by Pieter van Musschenbroek in 1746.

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