Mission guide
California Bakersfield Mission
The California Bakersfield Mission serves in a city known for agriculture, Basque food, and the Bakersfield sound.
- English
- Spanish
California Bakersfield Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
California Bakersfield Mission T-Shirt
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California Bakersfield Mission Heart Map Shirt
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California Bakersfield 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
Missionaries speak English and Spanish.
At a glance
- Country
- United States, California
- Main city
- Bakersfield, 403,455 residents (2020)
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (UTC−8 in standard time; UTC−7 in daylight time)
- Climate
- Hot arid climate with very hot, dry summers and mild winters
- Church in California
- 725,648 members, 145 stakes, 1,085 congregations
- Languages
- English and Spanish
A short history of the area
Bakersfield became the Kern County seat in 1873 and was officially incorporated that year. The railroad arrived in 1898 after residents and investors raised about $3,500,000 to bring it to the city. Today, Bakersfield is a major agricultural center and the ninth-most populous city in California.
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.
- 1951The first Church stake in Bakersfield was organized.
- 2013The California Bakersfield Mission was organized.
- 2024The Bakersfield California West Stake was organized on September 8.
Temples nearby
Bakersfield California Temple
Announced · Near Bakersfield
Los Angeles California Temple
Dedicated March 11, 1956 · About 100 miles from Bakersfield
Fresno California Temple
Dedicated April 9, 2000 · About 105 miles from Bakersfield
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
Foods to try
- Grapes (a major Kern County crop)
- Citrus (widely grown in Kern County)
- Almonds (a major local crop)
- Carrots (an important Kern County crop)
Fun facts
- Bakersfield is described as the birthplace of the Bakersfield sound, an electric guitar-driven style of country music associated with Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam, and Merle Haggard.
- Bakersfield is home to the world’s largest ice cream plant.
- The heavy-metal band Korn formed in Bakersfield, and the city named a road Korn Row.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.