Mission guide
California San Bernardino Mission
The California San Bernardino Mission serves in a historic Southern California city shaped by Spanish, Mexican, and Latter-day Saint settlement.
- English
- Spanish
California San Bernardino Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
California San Bernardino Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
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California San Bernardino Mission Heart Map Shirt
$29.00
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California San Bernardino 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.
More shirts in the language of this mission
Press Forward, in the language of this mission
"Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" (2 Nephi 31:20) 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 expect both languages to be part of daily life and community service.
At a glance
- Country and state
- United States, California
- Main city
- San Bernardino, 222,101 people (2020)
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (UTC−8/UTC−7)
- Climate
- Hot-summer Mediterranean, with hot dry summers, warm winters, and occasional Santa Ana winds
- Nicknames
- SB, San Berdoo, Gate City, and The Friendly City
- Church in California
- 725,648 members, 145 stakes, 1,085 congregations
A short history of the area
In 1851, Latter-day Saint pioneers established the first Anglo-American colony in the area and founded the town of San Bernardino. The city later became known for citrus, railroads, and businesses such as McDonald’s and Taco Bell.
The Church here
- 1846The Mormon Battalion arrived in San Diego after beginning its long march west.
- 1848Six Mormon Battalion members were at Sutter’s Mill when gold was discovered.
- 1851Church leaders encouraged colonization in San Bernardino to help strengthen a travel route from the California coast to Utah.
- 1851About 450 Latter-day Saint settlers under Amasa M. Lyman and Charles C. Rich settled in what is now San Bernardino.
- July 6, 1851The San Bernardino Stake, California’s first, was organized.
- 1854The first Church building in California was completed.
- 1857The San Bernardino colony was dissolved as Johnston’s Army advanced toward Salt Lake City, and settlers were instructed to return to Utah.
Temples nearby
Redlands California Temple
Dedicated September 14, 2003 · Near San Bernardino
Yorba Linda California Temple
Dedicated June 7, 2026 · About 35 miles from San Bernardino
Newport Beach California Temple
Dedicated August 28, 2005 · About 50 miles from San Bernardino
Los Angeles California Temple
Dedicated March 11, 1956 · About 55 miles from San Bernardino
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 está?How are you?
- GraciasThank you
- Por favorPlease
Foods to try
- Tacos (San Bernardino food history includes Glen Bell’s 1955 taco stand and Mitla Café)
- Hamburgers (Richard and Maurice McDonald founded McDonald’s in San Bernardino in 1940)
- Oranges and citrus (the city hosts the National Orange Show Festival)
Fun facts
- The governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico established the metropolitan area’s only consulates in downtown San Bernardino.
- The San Manuel Amphitheater, originally called Glen Helen Pavilion, is described as the largest amphitheater in the United States.
- San Bernardino International Airport occupies the former site of Norton Air Force Base, which operated from 1942 to 1994.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.