Mission guide
Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission
A Spanish-speaking mission in Bolivia with deep Church roots and a growing community of Latter-day Saints.
- Spanish
Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →
Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission Heart Map Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →
Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission Flag Map Shirt
$29.00
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 for missionaries and members in this mission.
At a glance
- Country
- Bolivia
- Main city
- Santa Cruz
- Language
- Spanish
- Time zone
- Bolivia Time (UTC-4)
- Church in Bolivia
- 229,006 members, 33 stakes, 285 congregations, 6 missions
- Family history
- 72 FamilySearch Centers
A short history of the area
Santa Cruz is also connected with several geographic and cultural names, including the Santa Cruz Islands in the Solomon Islands and Santa Cruz, the Spanish name for Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands.
The Church here
- 1926Melvin J. Ballard obtained permission from the Bolivian government for the Church to pursue missionary work in Bolivia.
- 1927J. Vernon Sharp distributed tracts and preached for a short time in La Paz.
- 1963Latter-day Saints working in La Paz and Cochabamba began holding weekly meetings in their homes and successfully petitioned for legal status.
- October 1964Missionaries arrived in Bolivia, and branches were soon established in La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and Oruro.
- December 1964The first convert was baptized in Bolivia.
- 1967Desiderio Arce Cano became the first Bolivian to serve a mission for the Church.
- 1977The Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission was organized.
- 1979The Santa Cruz Bolivia Stake, the first stake in Bolivia, was organized on January 14.
- 1982The Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission was renamed the Bolivia Cochabamba Mission.
Temples nearby
Santa Cruz Bolivia Temple
Under construction · Near Santa Cruz
Cochabamba Bolivia Temple
Dedicated April 30, 2000 · About 200 miles from Santa Cruz
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
- Salteña (a baked Bolivian pastry filled with savory meat or vegetables)
- Silpancho (a dish of rice, potatoes, meat, egg, and vegetables)
- Pique macho (beef and sausage served with fries and vegetables)
- Majadito (a Bolivian rice dish often made with meat and plantain)
Fun facts
- Santa Cruz means “holy cross” in Spanish or Portuguese.
- Santa Cruz is also the Spanish name for Saint Croix, an island in the United States Virgin Islands.
- Santa Cruz is the name of a crater on Mars.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.