Mission guide
Brazil Sao Paulo West Mission
The Brazil São Paulo West Mission serves in Brazil’s largest city, where Portuguese, deep history, and a growing Church community come together.
- Portuguese
Brazil Sao Paulo West Mission shirts
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Brazil Sao Paulo West Mission T-Shirt
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Brazil Sao Paulo West Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Brazil Sao Paulo West Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Brazil Sao Paulo West 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 local language. Missionaries will hear it in homes, churches, shops, and neighborhoods throughout the mission.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Main city
- São Paulo, 11,451,245 inhabitants in 2022
- Languages
- Portuguese
- Time zone
- Brasília Time (UTC-3)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical, with warm summers and mild winters
- Church in Brazil
- 1,573,360 members, 289 stakes, 2,008 congregations
A short history of the area
São Paulo became the capital of the Captaincy of São Vicente in the 1680s and was elevated to city status in 1711. Today, it is Brazil’s most populous city and a major center for business, culture, science, and immigration.
The Church here
- 1928Missionaries began preaching in southern Brazil in response to requests from German Church members living there.
- 1930sChurch services began to be held in Portuguese after the government banned the public use of German.
- 1935The Brazilian Mission was organized, with Rulon S. Howells as its first president.
- 1940The Portuguese translation of the Book of Mormon was first published.
- 1966The first stake in South America was created in São Paulo on May 1.
- 1978The São Paulo Brazil Temple was completed, becoming the first temple in Brazil and South America.
- Since 1978Hundreds of thousands of people have been baptized in Brazil.
- 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 40 miles from Sao Paulo
Campinas Brazil Temple
Dedicated May 17, 2002 · About 50 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.
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 or obrigadaThank you
Foods to try
- Bauru (a toasted sandwich with roast beef, cheese, tomato, and pickles)
- Beirute (a São Paulo sandwich made with flatbread and filled with meat, cheese, and salad)
- Coxinha (a teardrop-shaped chicken croquette)
- Pastel de feira (a thin, crisp pastry filled with meat, cheese, or other fillings)
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.
- São Paulo’s region has about 6,000 pizzerias that produce about 1 million pizzas each day.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.