Mission guide
Brazil Santa Maria Mission
The Brazil Santa Maria Mission serves a Portuguese-speaking part of southern Brazil from its headquarters in Santa Maria.
- Portuguese
Brazil Santa Maria Mission shirts
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Brazil Santa Maria Mission T-Shirt
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Brazil Santa Maria Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Brazil Santa Maria Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Brazil Santa Maria 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 main language for missionary work. Church services in Brazil shifted from German to Portuguese during the 1930s.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Main city
- Santa Maria
- Language
- Portuguese
- Time zone
- Brasília Time (UTC-3)
- Church in Brazil
- 1,573,360 members, 289 stakes, 2,008 congregations
A short history of the area
People of the region are commonly referred to as Gaúchos, a name that distinguishes them as natives of the area.
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. Church services soon shifted to Portuguese, and some German-language materials were destroyed.
- 1940The Portuguese translation of the Book of Mormon was first 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.
- 1978 onwardHundreds of thousands of people were baptized in Brazil, and wards and stakes became established throughout the country.
- 2017The Brasília Brazil Temple was announced on April 2 as Brazil's 10th temple.
Temples nearby
Rivera Uruguay Temple
Announced · About 135 miles from Santa Maria
Porto Alegre Brazil Temple
Dedicated December 17, 2000 · About 155 miles from Santa Maria
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
- Feijoada (black bean stew commonly made with pork)
- Pão de queijo (small cheese bread)
- Coxinha (savory dough filled with shredded chicken)
- Brigadeiro (soft chocolate confection)
Fun facts
- Santa María del Buen Ayre was an old name for Buenos Aires.
- Santa Maria Island is part of the eastern group of the Azores.
- Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, is home to the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.