Mission guide
California Arcadia Mission
The California Arcadia Mission serves in a historic Southern California community shaped by Tongva, Spanish, Mexican, and American history.
- English
- Spanish
California Arcadia Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
California Arcadia Mission T-Shirt
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California Arcadia Mission Heart Map Shirt
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California Arcadia Mission Flag Map Shirt
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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
English and Spanish are the mission languages. Families can use simple Spanish phrases to greet people and show courtesy.
At a glance
- Country
- United States, California
- Main city
- Arcadia, 56,681 people in 2020
- Mission organized
- July 7, 1969
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (UTC−8 in standard time, UTC−7 in daylight time)
- Languages
- English and Spanish
- Church in California
- 725,648 members, 145 stakes, 1,085 congregations
A short history of the area
Elias Jackson “Lucky” Baldwin acquired 8,000 acres of Rancho Santa Anita in 1875 and developed the land for farming, orchards, and ranches. Arcadia became a city on August 5, 1903, with Baldwin overseeing the incorporation and serving as its first mayor. The city motto is “Community of Homes.”
The Church here
- 1846Latter-day Saint immigrants first arrived in San Francisco.
- January 1847The Mormon Battalion arrived in San Diego.
- January 1848Six Mormon Battalion members were at Sutter’s Mill when gold was discovered.
- 1850The Latter-day Saint colony of New Hope was founded in California.
- 1850The first Church building in California was completed.
- 1851Church leaders encouraged colonization in San Bernardino to support a travel route from the coast to Utah.
- 1969The California Arcadia Mission was organized on July 7.
- 1974The California East Mission was renamed the California Arcadia Mission on June 20.
Temples nearby
Los Angeles California Temple
Dedicated March 11, 1956 · Near Arcadia
Yorba Linda California Temple
Dedicated June 7, 2026 · About 20 miles from Arcadia
Newport Beach California Temple
Dedicated August 28, 2005 · About 35 miles from Arcadia
Redlands California Temple
Dedicated September 14, 2003 · About 50 miles from Arcadia
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
- HolaHello
- Buenos díasGood morning
- ¿Cómo está?How are you?
- GraciasThank you
Fun facts
- Peafowl roam freely around the Los Angeles County Arboretum and nearby neighborhoods. They were brought to Lucky Baldwin’s farm to help control snakes and snails.
- The Queen Anne Cottage at the Arboretum served as the house with the bell tower in the television series Fantasy Island.
- Santa Anita Park was used as a filming location for Seabiscuit, Grey’s Anatomy, a Claritin commercial, and a Lexus commercial.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.