Mission guide
California Riverside Mission
The California Riverside Mission serves in a city known for citrus, history, and Southern California culture.
- English
- Spanish
California Riverside Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
California Riverside Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
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California Riverside Mission Heart Map Shirt
$29.00
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California Riverside 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 spoken in the mission setting, making both languages useful for missionaries and families.
At a glance
- Country
- United States, California
- Main city
- Riverside, 314,998 people (2020 census)
- Mission created
- July 1990
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (UTC-8)
- Climate
- Hot, dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters
- Church in California
- 725,648 members, 145 stakes, 1,085 congregations
A short history of the area
John W. North purchased land and formed the Southern California Colony Association. Riverside was founded in the early 1870s and incorporated on October 11, 1883. The city became known for citrus after Brazilian navel orange trees arrived in 1874.
The Church here
- 1846The 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.
- 1850California’s first Church building was completed.
- 1851Church leaders encouraged colonization in San Bernardino to strengthen a travel route from the coast to Utah.
- July 1990The California Riverside Mission was created as one of seven new missions in the United States.
- Early 1990Jerry M. Hess was called to preside over the new mission and began organizing it.
Temples nearby
Redlands California Temple
Dedicated September 14, 2003 · Near Riverside
Yorba Linda California Temple
Dedicated June 7, 2026 · About 25 miles from Riverside
Newport Beach California Temple
Dedicated August 28, 2005 · About 40 miles from Riverside
Los Angeles California Temple
Dedicated March 11, 1956 · About 50 miles from Riverside
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
- ¿Cómo estás?How are you?
- GraciasThank you
- Por favorPlease
Foods to try
- Brazilian navel oranges (introduced to Riverside in 1874)
- Navel oranges (the citrus fruit connected with Riverside’s historic industry)
- Citrus (the crop that shaped Riverside’s agricultural history)
Fun facts
- Riverside is home to the Mission Inn, described as the nation’s largest Mission Revival Style building.
- The Riverside Fox Theater hosted the first showing of the 1939 film Gone with the Wind.
- Riverside has a 68.10-foot concrete structure known as the “World’s Largest Paper Cup.”
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.