Mission guide
Washington Vancouver Mission
The Washington Vancouver Mission serves in a region shaped by Fort Vancouver, Pacific Northwest history, and a growing Church presence.
- English
- Spanish
Washington Vancouver Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Washington Vancouver Mission T-Shirt
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Washington Vancouver Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Washington Vancouver 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.
At a glance
- Country
- United States, Washington
- Main city
- Vancouver, Washington (190,915 people in 2020)
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (UTC−8 in standard time)
- Climate
- Warm-summer Mediterranean, with wet seasons and generally warm, dry weather from mid-June through September
- Church in Washington
- 278,576 members, 62 stakes, 473 congregations
- Congregations in Washington
- 425 wards and 48 branches
A short history of the area
The city grew around Fort Vancouver and was named for British sea captain George Vancouver. The town became the City of Vancouver on January 23, 1857. During World War II, a Kaiser shipyard operated in Vancouver and employed as many as 36,000 people by 1944.
The Church here
- 1854Four missionaries serving in California were sent to labor in the Washington and Oregon territories.
- 1854Enough converts joined to form a congregation along the Lewis River.
- 1897The Northwestern States Mission was organized to search out Latter-day Saints who had moved to Washington, Oregon, and Montana.
- 1899The first branch in Washington was organized in Tacoma with 21 members.
- 1902A branch was organized in Seattle.
- 1916A branch was organized in Spokane after a Sunday School had been established there in 1906.
- 1930Washington had 1,900 Church members in eight congregations, with chapels in Everett, Spokane, Seattle, and Olympia.
- 1980A temple was completed in Seattle.
- 1999The Spokane Washington Temple was completed and dedicated.
- 2001The Columbia River Washington Temple was completed and dedicated.
Temples nearby
Vancouver Washington Temple
Under construction · Near Vancouver
Portland Oregon Temple
Dedicated August 19, 1989 · Near Vancouver
Willamette Valley Oregon Temple
Dedicated June 7, 2026 · About 20 miles from Vancouver
Tacoma Washington Temple
Announced · About 110 miles from Vancouver
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
- GraciasThank you
- ¿Cómo está?How are you?
Foods to try
- Salmon (an important food in the historic Chinook economy)
- Apples (a major market and export crop)
- Strawberries (a regional market and export crop)
- Prunes (a regional market and export crop)
Fun facts
- Vancouver is directly north of Portland, Oregon, across the Columbia River.
- Vancouver was briefly the capital of Washington Territory before capital status returned to Olympia.
- In 1944, the Kaiser shipyard operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and employed as many as 36,000 people.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.