Mission guide
Texas Houston West Mission
The Texas Houston West Mission serves the Houston area, where Texas history, space exploration, and a diverse culture meet.
- English
- Spanish
Texas Houston West Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Texas Houston West Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
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Texas Houston West Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Texas Houston 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
Missionaries speak English and Spanish. Houston is a large, diverse city with communities from many cultural backgrounds.
At a glance
- Country
- United States, Texas
- Main city
- Houston, 2,304,580 residents (2020 census)
- Languages
- English and Spanish
- Time zone
- Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild winters
- Church in Texas
- 395,964 members, 83 stakes, 756 congregations
A short history of the area
Houston served as the capital of the Republic of Texas until the capital moved to Austin in 1839. The city later developed as a major port, medical center, and center for space exploration. NASA established its Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston in 1961, and it was renamed the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in 1973.
The Church here
- 1850sMissionaries preached in Texas.
- 1875Proselytizing resumed in Texas.
- 1921The first branch in Houston was organized on December 5.
- 1933A home willed to the Church became Houston's first official Church-owned meetinghouse and was dedicated on November 19.
- 1953A stake was created in Houston on October 11, with Jack B. Trunnell as president.
- 1984The Dallas Texas Temple was dedicated in October as the first temple in Texas.
- 1993Richard A. Searfoss of League City became the first Latter-day Saint to pilot a space shuttle.
- 2017Church members responded to Hurricane Harvey.
- 2021The Houston Family Transfer Center opened in partnership with several Christian, charitable, and community organizations.
Temples nearby
Houston Texas Temple
Dedicated August 26, 2000 · Near Houston
Fort Bend Texas Temple
Announced · About 19 miles from Houston
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
- Texas barbecue (smoked meats, especially beef brisket)
- Tex-Mex (Texas-style Mexican food such as tacos, enchiladas, and chile con queso)
- Kolaches (pastries with fruit or sausage fillings)
- Vietnamese pho (noodle soup that reflects Houston's diverse food culture)
Fun facts
- Houston is the largest city in the United States without formal zoning regulations.
- The Texas Medical Center is the world's largest medical center and the world's largest concentration of health care and research institutions.
- The Astrodome, opened in 1965, was the world's first indoor domed sports stadium and was nicknamed the Eighth Wonder of the World.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.