Mission guide
Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission
A Spanish-speaking mission serving in the historic Caribbean capital of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
- Spanish
Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission shirts
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Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission T-Shirt
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Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West 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
Spanish is the main language spoken in the mission area and throughout the Dominican Republic.
At a glance
- Country
- Dominican Republic
- Main city
- Santo Domingo (1,029,110 people, 2022)
- Time zone
- Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4)
- Language
- Spanish
- Climate
- Warm, humid, and tropical, with a rainy season from May through November
- Church in the Dominican Republic
- 153,000 members, 22 stakes, 202 congregations
A short history of the area
The city is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. Its Colonial Zone became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, and Santo Domingo remains the capital of the Dominican Republic.
The Church here
- 1978Dominican members who had joined the Church while living in the United States returned to the Dominican Republic, and missionaries arrived soon afterward.
- 1978The first branch was organized in Santo Domingo on September 12.
- 1980A mission was organized in Santo Domingo, and the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic District was organized one week later.
- 1986The Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Stake was organized on March 23.
- 1992Dominican members received satellite transmissions of General Conference.
- 1998Church members and missionaries donated many hours to relief efforts after Hurricane George in September.
- 2000The Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple was dedicated on September 17, the first Church temple in the Caribbean.
Temples nearby
Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple
Dedicated September 17, 2000 · Near Santo Domingo
Santiago Dominican Republic Temple
Announced · About 80 miles from Santo Domingo
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
- La bandera (rice, beans, and stewed meat, often served with salad)
- Sancocho (a hearty stew made with meats and root vegetables)
- Mangú (mashed green plantains, often served with onions and breakfast foods)
- Tostones (slices of green plantain that are fried, flattened, and fried again)
Fun facts
- Santo Domingo is known as the “First City of America” and the “Gateway to the Caribbean.”
- The Ozama Fortress is recognized as the oldest military construction of European origin in the Americas.
- The city has the first university, cathedral, castle, monastery, and fortress in the New World.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.