Mission guide
Guatemala Guatemala City Mission
A Spanish-speaking mission centered in Guatemala City, a mountain-valley capital shaped by Maya and colonial history.
- Spanish
Guatemala Guatemala City Mission shirts
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Guatemala Guatemala City Mission T-Shirt
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Guatemala Guatemala City Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Guatemala Guatemala City 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 by missionaries and local members.
At a glance
- Country
- Guatemala
- Mission
- Guatemala Guatemala City Mission
- Main city
- Guatemala City, 1,221,739 people (2023 projection)
- Time zone
- Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Climate
- Warm year-round, with a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October
- Church in Guatemala
- 292,639 members, 51 stakes, 437 congregations
A short history of the area
Guatemala City was founded in 1524 by Pedro de Alvarado. The capital moved to its present location in 1776 after earthquakes destroyed Antigua Guatemala in 1773. The city was later heavily damaged by earthquakes in 1917 and 1918.
The Church here
- 1942John F. O’Donnal moved to Guatemala and looked forward to the gospel being preached to the country’s native peoples.
- 1947The first missionaries arrived in Guatemala.
- 1948The first official Church meeting was held in a rented building on August 22, with 66 people attending. Later that year, John F. O’Donnal baptized his wife, Carmen, the first convert in Guatemala.
- 1952Elder Spencer W. Kimball organized the Central America Mission with headquarters in Guatemala City.
- 1956Missionaries began studying Mayan languages.
- 1967Elder Marion G. Romney organized the Guatemala City Stake, the first stake in the country, on May 21.
- 1974Guatemala gained its own mission, with headquarters remaining in Guatemala City.
- 1984The Guatemala City Guatemala Temple was dedicated after 11 dedicatory sessions filled to capacity.
- 1994A new missionary training center was dedicated in Guatemala City, with room for 102 missionaries.
Temples nearby
Guatemala City Guatemala Temple
Dedicated December 14, 1984 · Near Guatemala City
Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple
Opening soon · Near Guatemala City
Cobán Guatemala Temple
Dedicated June 9, 2024 · About 60 miles from Guatemala City
Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple
Dedicated December 11, 2011 · About 70 miles from Guatemala City
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
- Pepián (a thick, spiced meat and vegetable stew)
- Kak-ik (a traditional turkey soup seasoned with spices and herbs)
- Tamales (seasoned dough and filling wrapped in banana leaves)
- Rellenitos de plátano (sweet plantain pastries filled with beans)
Fun facts
- Guatemala City is divided into 22 zones, although Zones 20, 22, and 23 do not exist.
- Four stratovolcanoes can be seen from the city: Agua, Fuego, Pacaya, and Acatenango.
- A 100-metre-deep sinkhole opened in northeastern Guatemala City in February 2007 and killed five people.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.