Mission guide
Ecuador Guayaquil West Mission
A Spanish-speaking mission in Guayaquil, Ecuador, a port city known as the Pearl of the Pacific.
- Spanish
Ecuador Guayaquil West Mission shirts
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Ecuador Guayaquil West Mission T-Shirt
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Ecuador Guayaquil West Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Ecuador Guayaquil 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 mission's main language. Missionaries serve in a warm coastal setting influenced by the Humboldt Current and seasonal El Niño rains.
At a glance
- Country
- Ecuador
- Main city
- Guayaquil, 2,650,288 people (2022)
- Language
- Spanish
- Time zone
- Ecuador Time (UTC-5)
- Climate
- Tropical savanna, with hot, rainy months from January to April and drier, cloudier months from May to December
- Church in Ecuador
- 269,200 members, 44 stakes, 334 congregations, 7 missions
A short history of the area
Guayaquil declared independence from Spain on October 9, 1820. On July 26, 1822, José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar met in the city to discuss the completion of Peru's independence and the independence of Spanish South America.
The Church here
- 1965The first missionaries arrived in Ecuador, after Elder Spencer W. Kimball encouraged the beginning of missionary work there.
- 1966Missionary work began in Guayaquil on January 28. The first sacrament meeting was held in the city, and the Sotomayor family became Guayaquil's first Church members on April 1.
- 1970The Ecuador Mission was organized in Quito.
- 1978Ecuador's first stake was organized in Guayaquil on June 4, with Lorenzo Garaycoa as president.
- 1980The Church published a Kichwa translation of selections from the Book of Mormon.
- 1982The First Presidency announced plans to construct a temple in Guayaquil on March 31.
- 1999The Guayaquil temple was dedicated.
- 2018Ecuador had more than 300 congregations, with a Church presence in every major city and many rural areas.
Temples nearby
Guayaquil Ecuador Temple
Dedicated August 1, 1999 · Near Guayaquil
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
- Encebollado (a fish soup with onions and yuca)
- Ceviche (seafood prepared with citrus, onions, and other seasonings)
- Bolón (mashed fried plantain formed around cheese or other fillings)
- Encocado (shrimp or tuna in coconut sauce served with rice)
Fun facts
- Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city, main port, and economic capital.
- About 70% of Ecuador's private exports leave through the Port of Guayaquil, while 83% of imports enter through it.
- The Las Peñas neighborhood has approximately 444 steps leading to a viewpoint over the city.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.