Mission guide

Uruguay Montevideo Mission

The Uruguay Montevideo Mission serves in a country shaped by coastal history, welcoming communities, and Spanish-speaking culture.

  • Spanish
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Uruguay Montevideo Mission Heart Map design

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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.

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About the mission

The Uruguay Montevideo Mission is based in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. Montevideo is the country's largest city and an important center for government, trade, culture, and travel.

Spanish is the main language of daily life and missionary work. Missionaries will hear the friendly, clear Spanish spoken across Uruguay.

At a glance

Country
Uruguay
Main city
Montevideo, 1,287,452 people (2023 city proper)
Time zone
Uruguay Time (UTC-3)
Climate
Humid subtropical, with mild winters, warm to hot summers, and rainfall throughout the year
Church in Uruguay
112,449 members, 18 stakes, 132 congregations
Church organization
100 wards, 32 branches, 2 districts, and 2 missions

A short history of the area

Portuguese forces established a garrison at the site of modern Montevideo in November 1723. Spanish forces took control soon afterward, and the city was settled by families from Buenos Aires and the Canary Islands. Montevideo's foundation is dated to December 24, 1726, and the city became fully independent from Buenos Aires as a real city in 1730.

Montevideo became Spain's main naval base for the South Atlantic in 1776. The city endured an eight-year siege from 1843 to 1851 and later became the capital of independent Uruguay in 1828. In 1930, Montevideo hosted every match of the first FIFA World Cup, which Uruguay won.

The Church here

  1. 1927Missionaries from the South American Mission traveled to Montevideo to assess opportunities for preaching.
  2. 1940The Church received publicity in Uruguay when missionary Rolf Larson played for Argentina in the South American basketball championship held in Montevideo.
  3. 1944The first congregation in Uruguay was organized for North Americans working in the country.
  4. 1947The Uruguay Mission was organized, with Frederick S. Williams as its president.
  5. 1948Four branches had been organized in Montevideo, and a branch had also been established in Treinta y Tres. By the end of the year, 14 congregations had been organized.
  6. 1948The first local converts in Uruguay were baptized on November 4.
  7. 1952Uruguay granted legal recognition to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 21.
  8. 1967The Montevideo Uruguay Stake was organized.

Temples nearby

Montevideo Uruguay Temple

Dedicated March 18, 2001 · Near Montevideo

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
  • ¿Cómo estás?How are you?
  • GraciasThank you
  • Por favorPlease

Foods to try

  • Chivito (a sandwich made with sliced beefsteak)
  • Torta frita (a circular pan-fried cake made with wheat flour)
  • Asado (grilled meat, central to Uruguayan cuisine)
  • Gnocchi (traditionally eaten in Uruguay on the 29th of each month)

Fun facts

  • Montevideo's Rambla runs along the coastline for 27 kilometers, making it one of the longest esplanades in the world.
  • Palacio Salvo stands 100 meters high, including its antenna, on the former site of the café where "La Cumparsita" was written in 1917.
  • Montevideo's Solís Theatre is Uruguay's oldest theater and is described as the oldest in South America.

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