Mission guide

Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission

A mission centered in São Paulo, Brazil, where Portuguese, deep history, and a large Church community meet.

  • Portuguese
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Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission Heart Map design

Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission shirts

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

Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission T-Shirt in Solid White, front view

Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission T-Shirt

$29.00

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Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission Heart Map shirt in White: Brazil outline with a red heart, front view

Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission Heart Map Shirt

$29.00

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Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission Flag Map shirt in White: flag of Brazil in the outline of Brazil with navy lettering, front view

Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission Flag Map Shirt

$29.00

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Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission Flag Map shirt in Dark Chocolate: flag of Brazil in the outline of Brazil with cream lettering, front view

Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission Flag Map Shirt (Dark)

$29.00

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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 Portuguese on White: “Glorio-me em meu Jesus”, 2 Néfi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Portuguese

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Portuguese, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Glorio-me em meu Jesus”, 2 Néfi 33:6

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

$29.00

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About the mission

The Brazil São Paulo South Mission is in Brazil, with São Paulo as its main city. São Paulo is one of the world’s largest urban areas and a major center of culture, business, and learning.

Portuguese is the mission’s language. Missionaries and families will encounter a busy city shaped by many cultures, including Italian, Japanese, Arab, Portuguese, and Indigenous influences.

At a glance

Country
Brazil
Main city
São Paulo, 11,451,245 inhabitants in 2022
Language
Portuguese
Time zone
Brasília Time (UTC-3)
Climate
Humid subtropical, with warm summers, mild winters, and about 1,658.3 mm of annual rain
Church in Brazil
1,573,360 members, 289 stakes, 2,008 congregations

A short history of the area

São Paulo was founded by Jesuit priests on 25 January 1554. The Colégio de São Paulo de Piratininga was established by twelve Jesuits, including Manuel da Nóbrega and José de Anchieta, near the Tietê River. The area was originally inhabited by Tupi peoples, including the Tupiniquim, Guaianás, and Guarani.

São Paulo became a city on 11 July 1711. In later centuries, it received many immigrants, especially Italians, Japanese, and Portuguese. Today, the municipality has more than 11 million residents, and the metropolitan area has more than 20 million.

The Church here

  1. 1928Missionaries began preaching in southern Brazil after German members requested Church assistance.
  2. 1935The Brazilian Mission was organized in São Paulo, with Rulon S. Howells as mission president.
  3. 1939Portuguese became the official language of the Brazilian Mission.
  4. 1940The Portuguese translation of the Book of Mormon was first published.
  5. 1959The Brazil South Mission was formed when the Brazilian Mission was divided.
  6. 1966The first stake in South America was created in São Paulo.
  7. 1978Hundreds of thousands of people began to be baptized in Brazil from this year onward.
  8. 2017The Brasília Brazil Temple, identified as Brazil’s 10th temple, was announced on April 2.

Temples nearby

São Paulo Brazil Temple

Dedicated October 30, 1978 · Near Sao Paulo

São Paulo East Brazil Temple

Announced · Near Sao Paulo

Santos Brazil Temple

Under construction · About 25 miles from Sao Paulo

Campinas Brazil Temple

Dedicated May 17, 2002 · About 60 miles from Sao Paulo

The Book of Mormon here

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

Portuguese 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

  • Bauru (a sandwich with roast beef, melted cheese, tomato, and pickles)
  • Beirute (a large sandwich commonly made with flatbread, meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomato)
  • Coxinha (a teardrop-shaped fried pastry filled with shredded chicken)
  • Pastel de feira (a thin, crispy fried pastry with savory or sweet filling)

Fun facts

  • São Paulo is the most populous Portuguese-speaking city in the world.
  • The city is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan.
  • About 6,000 pizzerias in the São Paulo region produce about 1 million pizzas per day.

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