Mission guide

California San Jose Mission

The California San Jose Mission connects missionary service with the history and diverse communities of the San Jose area.

  • English
  • Spanish
Shop the shirts
California San Jose Mission Heart Map design

California San Jose Mission shirts

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

California San Jose Mission T-Shirt in Solid White, front view

California San Jose Mission T-Shirt

$29.00

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California San Jose Mission Heart Map shirt in White: California outline with a red heart, front view

California San Jose Mission Heart Map Shirt

$29.00

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California San Jose Mission Flag Map shirt in White: California state flag in the outline of California with navy lettering, front view

California San Jose Mission Flag Map Shirt

$29.00

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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.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in English on White: “I glory in my Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in English, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “I glory in my Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink)

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Spanish on White: “Me glorío en mi Jesús”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Spanish

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Spanish, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Me glorío en mi Jesús”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Spanish

$29.00

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See every mission language →

About the mission

The California San Jose Mission is associated with San Jose, California, in the northern part of the state. San Jose is the largest city in the region and the center of Silicon Valley.

Missionaries use English and Spanish as they serve and teach in the area.

At a glance

Country
United States, California
Main city
San Jose, 1,013,240 residents (2020)
Time zone
Pacific Time (UTC−8 in standard time, UTC−7 in daylight time)
Climate
Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters
Church in California
725,648 members, 145 stakes, 1,085 congregations
Mission organization
December 11, 1966

A short history of the area

The area around San Jose was inhabited by the Tamien nation of the Ohlone people from about 4,000 BC. San Jose was officially founded on November 29, 1777, as the Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe by José Joaquín Moraga under orders from the viceroy of New Spain. It was California’s first civilian settlement and the first city founded in the Californias.

The settlement moved about one mile south in 1791 because of flooding. San Jose became part of the First Mexican Empire in 1821 and was incorporated on March 27, 1850. After California entered the Union, San Jose became the state’s first capital. Today, it is known as the Capital of Silicon Valley.

The Church here

  1. 1846Latter-day Saint immigrants first arrived in San Francisco.
  2. January 1847The Mormon Battalion arrived in San Diego.
  3. January 1848Six Mormon Battalion members were at Sutter’s Mill when gold was discovered.
  4. 1850The Church’s colony of New Hope was founded in California, and the first Church building was completed.
  5. 1851Church leaders encouraged colonization in San Bernardino to support a travel route from the coast to Utah.
  6. 1920sA land boom attracted many Church members to California.
  7. December 11, 1966The California San Jose Mission was organized.

Temples nearby

Sunnyvale California Temple

Announced · Near San Jose

Oakland California Temple

Dedicated November 17, 1964 · About 40 miles from San Jose

Modesto California Temple

Opening soon · About 55 miles from San Jose

Sacramento California Temple

Dedicated September 3, 2006 · About 90 miles from San Jose

The Book of Mormon here

Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.

English Read it free → Spanish 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

Fun facts

  • San Jose is home to one of the world’s largest overseas Vietnamese populations.
  • The city has the largest Sikh Gurdwara outside India.
  • The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies houses the largest collection of Ludwig van Beethoven materials in the world outside Europe.

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