Mission guide
Bolivia La Paz Mission
The Bolivia La Paz Mission serves in a highland country shaped by Indigenous heritage, Spanish history, and strong Church growth.
- Spanish
Bolivia La Paz Mission shirts
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Bolivia La Paz Mission T-Shirt
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Bolivia La Paz Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Bolivia La Paz 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 mission language. Missionaries may also encounter Aymara and Quechua in parts of the country.
At a glance
- Country
- Bolivia
- Main city
- La Paz, 755,732 residents (2024)
- Time zone
- Bolivia Time (UTC-4)
- Climate
- Subtropical highland climate with rainy summers and dry winters
- Church in Bolivia
- 229,006 members, 33 stakes, 285 congregations
- Family history
- 72 FamilySearch Centers
A short history of the area
In 1781, Túpac Katari led a six-month siege of La Paz. On July 16, 1809, Pedro Domingo Murillo began an independence revolution there. La Paz became the de facto seat of Bolivia’s national government in 1898, while Sucre remained the historical and judicial capital.
The Church here
- 1927J. Vernon Sharp preached for a short time in La Paz but baptized no converts.
- 1963Latter-day Saints in La Paz and Cochabamba began holding weekly meetings in their homes and successfully petitioned for legal status.
- October 1964Missionaries from the Andes Mission arrived in Bolivia.
- December 1964The first Bolivian convert was baptized.
- 1966The Andes South Mission was organized with headquarters in La Paz. It was later renamed the Bolivia Mission and then the Bolivia La Paz Mission.
- 1967Desiderio Arce Cano became the first Bolivian to serve a mission for the Church.
- 1968A mission was established in La Paz, and missionaries began preaching in cities and towns across Bolivia.
- 1979The La Paz Stake was established, with Jorge Leano as president.
Temples nearby
La Paz Bolivia Temple
Announced · Near La Paz
Cochabamba Bolivia Temple
Dedicated April 30, 2000 · About 145 miles from La Paz
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
- Buenos díasGood morning
- ¿Cómo está?How are you?
- GraciasThank you
Foods to try
- Marraqueta (a crusty bread roll)
- Plato Paceño (a traditional La Paz plate with corn, potatoes, and cheese)
- Salteña (a baked pastry filled with savory stew)
- Fricasé (a spicy pork soup)
Fun facts
- La Paz is the highest administrative capital city in the world, at roughly 3,650 meters above sea level.
- La Paz is home to Mi Teleférico, the largest urban cable car network in the world.
- The city is overlooked by Mount Illimani, a triple-peaked mountain that remains snow-covered throughout the year.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.