Mission guide
Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission
The Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission serves in a highland city known as Xela and surrounded by volcanoes.
- Spanish
Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission shirts
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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 language. Spanish is widely used in daily life, while Quetzaltenango also has strong Maya cultural roots.
At a glance
- Country
- Guatemala
- Main city
- Quetzaltenango, 180,706 people in the municipality and city (2018)
- Time zone
- Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Climate
- Subtropical highland, mild to chilly, with a rainy season from late May through late October
- Church in Guatemala
- 292,639 members, 51 stakes, 437 congregations, 7 missions, 144 FamilySearch Centers
- Mission language
- Spanish
A short history of the area
From 1838 to 1840, Quetzaltenango was the capital of Los Altos, a state of the Federal Republic of Central America. Coffee later helped the city's economy grow. Today, the city stands at 2,330 meters above sea level and is known as one of Guatemala's coolest major cities.
The Church here
- 1942Church member John F. O’Donnal moved to Guatemala and foresaw a time when the gospel would be preached to the country’s native peoples.
- 1947Four missionaries were assigned to Guatemala as part of the Mexican Mission.
- 1948Carmen Galvez de O’Donnal was baptized on November 13, becoming the first Guatemalan baptized in the country.
- 1952The Church organized the Central America Mission, headquartered in Guatemala City, with 12 missionaries.
- 1956Missionaries began studying Mayan languages.
- By 1962More than 10,000 Guatemalan Latter-day Saints lived in the cities and highlands.
- 1977The Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission was created on July 1, with John F. O’Donnal as president.
- 1984Saints filled 11 dedicatory sessions for the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple.
- 1991Guatemala was rededicated for the preaching of the gospel on October 19 by Elder Marvin J. Ashton.
Temples nearby
Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple
Dedicated December 11, 2011 · Near Quetzaltenango
Retalhuleu Guatemala Temple
Announced · About 25 miles from Quetzaltenango
Huehuetenango Guatemala Temple
Under construction · About 35 miles from Quetzaltenango
Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple
Opening soon · About 65 miles from Quetzaltenango
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 Guatemalan stew with meat, vegetables, and roasted spices)
- Kak'ik (a traditional turkey soup seasoned with spices and chiles)
- Chuchitos (small tamales wrapped in corn husks)
- Tamales (corn dough filled with meat or other fillings and steamed in leaves)
Fun facts
- Quetzaltenango is surrounded by volcanic complexes, including Santa María, Santiaguito, and Cerro Quemado.
- The Ferrocarril de Los Altos was Guatemala’s only electric railway. It had 14 train cars and was built by AEG and Krupp.
- In 2008, PARLACEN announced that September 15 would make Quetzaltenango Central America’s capital of culture.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.