Mission guide
Brazil Rio de Janeiro South Mission
The Brazil Rio de Janeiro South Mission serves in the Cidade Maravilhosa, where Portuguese, coastal history, and a warm tropical climate shape daily life.
- Portuguese
Brazil Rio de Janeiro South Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Brazil Rio de Janeiro South Mission T-Shirt
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Brazil Rio de Janeiro South Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Brazil Rio de Janeiro South Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Brazil Rio de Janeiro 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.
More shirts in the language of this mission
Press Forward, in the language of this mission
"Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" (2 Nephi 31:20) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
Portuguese is the mission language. Missionaries and local members use Portuguese in church, daily conversations, and community life.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Main city
- Rio de Janeiro (6,730,729 people, 2025)
- Language
- Portuguese
- Time zone
- Brasília Time (UTC-3)
- Climate
- Tropical, with hot, humid, stormy summers and warm, drier winters
- Church in Brazil
- 1,573,360 members, 289 stakes, 2,008 congregations
A short history of the area
Rio became the colonial capital in 1763. In 1808, the Portuguese royal family moved there while fleeing Napoleon's invasion of Portugal. Brazil's capital moved to Brasília in 1960, and Rio hosted the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
The Church here
- 1928Missionaries began preaching in southern Brazil after German members requested help.
- 1930sChurch services changed to Portuguese after the government banned German in public life, and some German-language materials were destroyed.
- 1940The first Portuguese translation of the Book of Mormon was published.
- 1966The first stake in South America was created in São Paulo.
- 1978The first temple in South America was dedicated in São Paulo, 12 years after the first South American stake was created.
- Since 1978Hundreds of thousands of people have been baptized in Brazil, and wards and stakes became established throughout the country.
- 2017The Brasília Brazil Temple, identified as Brazil's 10th temple, was announced on April 2.
Temples nearby
Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple
Dedicated May 8, 2022 · Near Rio de Janeiro
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? or Is everything well?
- Obrigado / ObrigadaThank you
Foods to try
- Feijoada (a hearty black bean and meat stew)
- Pão de queijo (small cheese breads made with cassava flour)
- Coxinha (a teardrop-shaped fried pastry filled with shredded chicken)
- Brigadeiro (a soft chocolate sweet made with condensed milk)
Fun facts
- Rio de Janeiro was the only European capital outside Europe while the Portuguese royal court was based there.
- Christ the Redeemer, on Corcovado Mountain, was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- More than 2.5 million people gather at Copacabana Beach each December 31 for New Year's celebrations.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.