Mission guide
El Salvador Santa Ana Mission
The El Salvador Santa Ana Mission serves in a Spanish-speaking country with a growing Latter-day Saint history.
- Spanish
El Salvador Santa Ana Mission shirts
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El Salvador Santa Ana Mission T-Shirt
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El Salvador Santa Ana Mission Heart Map Shirt
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El Salvador Santa Ana 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 El Salvador and is the language missionaries will use every day.
At a glance
- Country
- El Salvador
- Main city
- Santa Ana
- Language
- Spanish
- Time zone
- Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Church in El Salvador
- 132,399 members, 154 congregations, 3 missions
- Congregations
- 126 wards and 28 branches
A short history of the area
Santa Ana is one of many places around the world with this name. The name is also connected with Owaraha in the Solomon Islands, where Owa is also known as the Santa Ana language.
The Church here
- 1949Latter-day Saint missionaries arrived in El Salvador. In June, missionaries from the Mexican Mission rented a hall in San Salvador for English lessons and Church films.
- 1951Ana Villaseñor, who had housed missionaries for several years, was baptized on March 2. She is the first baptism specifically identified in this history.
- 1960More Salvadoran Latter-day Saints began serving as leaders and missionaries. Primary, seminary, and institute classes were also organized.
- 1973The first stake in El Salvador was organized in San Salvador on June 3.
- 1976The El Salvador Santa Ana Mission was organized on July 1.
- 1980Civil war spread across El Salvador. North American missionaries were evacuated, and the mission closed.
- 1984The mission reopened with entirely local leadership and missionaries.
- 1992The civil war ended. By this time, six new stakes had been organized throughout El Salvador since 1984.
- 2011President Henry B. Eyring dedicated the San Salvador El Salvador Temple on August 21.
Temples nearby
Santa Ana El Salvador Temple
Announced · Near Santa Ana
San Salvador El Salvador Temple
Dedicated August 21, 2011 · About 30 miles from Santa Ana
Guatemala City Guatemala Temple
Dedicated December 14, 1984 · About 80 miles from Santa Ana
Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple
Opening soon · About 80 miles from Santa Ana
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
- GraciasThank you
- Por favorPlease
Foods to try
- Pupusas (thick corn cakes filled with ingredients such as cheese, beans, or pork)
- Yuca frita (fried cassava, often served with toppings or sauce)
- Panes con pollo (sandwiches filled with seasoned chicken and vegetables)
- Tamales salvadoreños (seasoned fillings wrapped in corn dough and banana leaves)
Fun facts
- Santa Ana is the name of places in many countries, including El Salvador, Mexico, Spain, and the United States.
- Santa Ana in the Solomon Islands is now known as Owaraha.
- Owa, a language spoken in the Solomon Islands, is also known as Santa Ana.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.