Mission guide
Brazil Porto Alegre South Mission
A Portuguese-speaking mission in southern Brazil, centered on Porto Alegre and its rich immigrant history.
- Portuguese
Brazil Porto Alegre South Mission shirts
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Brazil Porto Alegre South Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Brazil Porto Alegre South Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Brazil Porto Alegre South Mission Flag Map Shirt (Dark)
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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
Portuguese is the language used in daily life and Church meetings. Missionaries began preaching in Portuguese after the Portuguese Book of Mormon was published in 1940.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Main city
- Porto Alegre, 1,332,845 people (2022 census)
- Language
- Portuguese
- Time zone
- Brazil Time (UTC-3)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical, with warm summers, mild to cool winters, and rain throughout the year
- Church in Brazil
- 1,573,360 members, 289 stakes, 2,008 congregations
A short history of the area
Porto Alegre became the capital of its province on July 24, 1773. German immigrants and people from Italy, Spain, Poland, the Jewish community, Lebanon, and other places arrived beginning in 1824. Today, the city is known for its hills, parks, public trees, and location beside Guaíba Lake.
The Church here
- 1928Missionaries began preaching in southern Brazil in response to requests from German members living there.
- 1930sAnti-German sentiment led to a government ban on German in public, and Church services soon began using Portuguese.
- 1940The first Portuguese translation of the Book of Mormon was published.
- 1959The Brazilian Mission was divided, creating the Brazilian South Mission, later renamed the Brazil Porto Alegre Mission.
- 1966The first stake in South America was created in São Paulo.
- 1978Hundreds of thousands of people began being baptized in Brazil from this year onward.
- 1991The Brazil Porto Alegre North Mission was created, leaving the Porto Alegre South Mission as a separate mission.
- 2017The Brasília Brazil Temple, identified as Brazil's 10th temple, was announced on April 2.
Temples nearby
Porto Alegre Brazil Temple
Dedicated December 17, 2000 · Near Porto Alegre
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
- OláHello
- Bom diaGood morning
- Tudo bem?How are you?
- Obrigado/ObrigadaThank you
Foods to try
- Churrasco (Brazilian barbecue, especially popular in Rio Grande do Sul)
- Chimarrão (hot, strong yerba mate served in a gourd)
- Arroz carreteiro (a rice dish traditionally made with dried beef)
- Cuca (a German-Brazilian crumb-topped sweet bread)
Fun facts
- Porto Alegre lies beside Guaíba Lake, where five rivers converge before forming the Lagoa dos Patos.
- The city became famous as the first city to implement participatory budgeting.
- Porto Alegre has hosted matches during both the 1950 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.