Mission guide

Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission

The Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission serves in a high-altitude city shaped by railway growth, migration, and Andean culture.

  • Spanish
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Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission Heart Map design

Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission shirts

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

Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission T-Shirt in Solid White, front view

Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission T-Shirt

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Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission Heart Map shirt in White: Bolivia outline with a red heart, front view

Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission Heart Map Shirt

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Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission Flag Map shirt in White: flag of Bolivia in the outline of Bolivia with navy lettering, front view

Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission Flag Map Shirt

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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.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Spanish on White: “Me glorío en mi Jesús”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Spanish

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Spanish, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Me glorío en mi Jesús”, 2 Nefi 33:6

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

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About the mission

The Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission is associated with El Alto, Bolivia’s main city. El Alto sits on the high plateau above La Paz and is one of Bolivia’s largest urban centers.

Spanish is the mission language. Missionaries and families will also encounter strong Aymara cultural influence in the region.

At a glance

Country
Bolivia
Main city
El Alto (885,035 people, 2024 census)
Time zone
Bolivia Time (UTC-4)
Climate
Cold subtropical highland climate, with cool days and nights that often approach or fall below 0 °C
Church in Bolivia
229,006 members, 33 stakes, 285 congregations
Family history
72 FamilySearch Centers

A short history of the area

On 23 October 1548, Alonso de Mendoza paused near what is now La Ceja after arriving from Laja. The Spanish later called the area “Altos de Nuestra Señora de La Paz.” El Alto remained largely uninhabited until railways reached the canyon rim in 1903.

Railway workers, an airfield, schools, and new water connections helped the settlement grow. El Alto separated politically from La Paz in 1985 and was formally incorporated as a city in 1987. Today it is Bolivia’s second-largest city and is known for its high-altitude setting and Neo-Andean architecture.

The Church here

  1. November 1964Missionaries preaching in the Andes Mission arrived in Bolivia.
  2. December 1964The first convert was baptized in Bolivia.
  3. 1967Desiderio Arce Cano became the first Bolivian to serve a mission for the Church.
  4. 1973Aymara became an official proselytism language for the Bolivia Mission, along with Spanish and Quechua.
  5. 1974Audio translations of selected Book of Mormon passages became available in Aymara.
  6. 1977A printed edition of selected Book of Mormon passages was published in Aymara.
  7. 1986A complete printed Book of Mormon translation was published in Aymara.
  8. 2015The Bolivia La Paz El Alto Mission was organized on July 1.

Temples nearby

La Paz Bolivia Temple

Announced · Near El Alto

Cochabamba Bolivia Temple

Dedicated April 30, 2000 · About 145 miles from El Alto

The Book of Mormon here

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

Spanish 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

  • Salteñas (juicy baked pastries filled with meat or vegetables)
  • Api con pastel (warm purple corn drink served with a fried pastry)
  • Anticuchos (grilled beef-heart skewers with potatoes)
  • Pique macho (a hearty dish of meat, sausage, potatoes, onions, and peppers)

Fun facts

  • El Alto is described as the highest major city in the world, with an average elevation of about 4,000 meters.
  • Three lines of the Mi Teleférico cable-car system connect El Alto with La Paz.
  • Colorful Neo-Andean buildings called cholets became a distinctive part of El Alto’s architecture.

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