Mission guide
Guatemala Guatemala City Central Mission
Serve in Guatemala City, a highland capital with deep Maya roots and a growing Latter-day Saint community.
- Spanish
Guatemala Guatemala City Central Mission shirts
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Guatemala Guatemala City Central Mission T-Shirt
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Guatemala Guatemala City Central Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Guatemala Guatemala City Central 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 of the mission and the country. Missionaries may also encounter Mayan languages, which Church missionaries began studying in 1956.
At a glance
- Country
- Guatemala
- Main city
- Guatemala City, 1,221,739 people (2023 projection)
- Time zone
- Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Climate
- Warm, springlike weather, 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
- Family history
- 144 FamilySearch Centers
A short history of the area
After earthquakes destroyed Antigua Guatemala in 1773, the capital moved to its present location in 1776. Guatemala City is now known as Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción and sits in a mountain valley called Valle de la Ermita.
The Church here
- 1942John F. O’Donnal moved to Guatemala and foresaw a time when the gospel would be preached to the country’s native peoples.
- 1947The first Latter-day Saint missionaries arrived in Guatemala and began organizing the Church with help from John F. O’Donnal.
- 1952Elder Spencer W. Kimball organized the Central American Mission with headquarters in Guatemala City.
- 1956Missionaries began studying Mayan languages.
- 1962More than 10,000 Guatemalan Latter-day Saints lived in the cities and highlands.
- 1967Elder Marion G. Romney organized the Guatemala City Stake, the first stake in the country, with Udine Falabella as president.
- 1984Saints filled 11 dedicatory sessions for the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple.
- 1990The Central America Area was created with headquarters in Guatemala City.
- 1991Guatemala was individually dedicated for missionary work.
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 stew often made with meat and vegetables)
- Kak'ik (a traditional turkey soup seasoned with spices and herbs)
- Tamales (seasoned dough and fillings wrapped in leaves and steamed)
- Rellenitos de plátano (sweet plantain fritters filled with beans)
Fun facts
- Kaminaljuyu, located in Guatemala City, was a major Maya settlement and ceremonial center beginning around 300 BCE.
- Four stratovolcanoes can be seen from the city: Agua, Fuego, Pacaya, and Acatenango. Pacaya is the nearest and most active.
- A sinkhole 100 metres deep 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.