Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission

Missão Brasil Rio de Janeiro


Here are free resources about the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission:

Aqui estão alguns recursos gratuitos sobre a Missão Brasil Rio de Janeiro:

*Other Mission Pages: Brazil LDS Missions.



Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission Address

Here’s a recent address for the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission. We try to keep this info up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.

Brazil Rio De Janeiro Mission
Rua Dois de Dezembro 78 salas 703/704
Flamengo
22220-040 Rio de Janeiro-RJ
Brazil

Phone Number: 55-21-2556-2509
Mission President: President Julio Cesar Kern

Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission Map

Here’s a link to the mission map for the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Rio de Janeiro Mission:

  1. Log into your LDS account here.
  2. Click here.

Brazil Rio de Janeiro Missionary Blogs

Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.

*Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.)

Elder Alek Worthen elderworthen.blogspot.com 2016
Sister Malorie Bond maloriebondmissionary.blogspot.com 2016
Elder Alexander Evans elderalexevans.blogspot.com 2015
Elder Steven Braun elderstevenbraun.blogspot.com 2015
Elder Cooper Siebers eldersiebers.blogspot.com 2015
Elder Taylor Heidenreich eldertaylorheidenreich.blogspot.com 2015
Sister Logan Packer sisterlpackersmission.wordpress.com 2014
Elder Taylor Stinnett eldertaylorstinnett.blogspot.com 2014
Sister Taylor Colvin sistercolvin.blogspot.com 2014
Sister Abigail Tingey sisterabigailtingey.blogspot.com 2014
Elder Nate Mountain eldernatemountain.blogspot.com 2014
Elder Steven Bennett elderstevenbennett.blogspot.com 2014
Elder Brighton Youd missionsite.net/elderbrightonyoud 2014
Sister Amanda Loux missionsite.net/sisteramandaloux 2014
Sister Elise Nelson calledtoserveinrio.weebly.com 2013
Sister Ashlyn Trussel sistertrusselgoesonamission.blogspot.com 2013
Sister Mary Ann missionpossiblemaryann09.blogspot.com 2013
Sister Sarah Tanton sistertanton.blogspot.com 2013
Elder Connor Ottosen elderconnorkeetchottosen.blogspot.com 2013
Elder Daniel Baldwin elderdanielbaldwin.blogspot.com 2013
Elder Nick Kerr missionsite.net/eldernickkerr 2013
Elder Cody Jacox missionsite.net/eldercodyjacox 2013
Elder Jacob Arnold missionsite.net/elderjacobarnold 2013
Elder Gray Allen missionsite.net/eldergrayallen 2013
Elder Christopher Snyder christophersnydersmission.blogspot.com 2012
Elder Tasi Hannemann missionsite.net/elderhannemann 2012
Elder Nathan Eyring eldereyring.blogspot.com 2011
Elder Anthony Knight missionsite.net/elderanthonyknight 2011
Mission Alumni mission.net/brazil/rio-de-janeiro 2010
Elder Adam Helland elderhelland.blogspot.com 2009

*Download free app for LDS missionaries learning Brazilian Portuguese

Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission Groups

Here are Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Rio de Janeiro Mission.

  1. Missao Brasil Rio de Janeiro Facebook Group (853 members)
  2. Missao Brasil Rio de Janeiro – A Maravilhosa! Group (712 members)
  3. Missao Rio de Janeiro – Pres. Worth (1996-1999) Group (485 members)
  4. Missao Rio de Janeiro – 2002-05 Pres. Barreto Group (305 members)
  5. Missao Brasil Rio de Janeiro (2011-2014) Group (271 members)
  6. Missao Rio de Janeiro (1993-1996) Facebook Group (269 members)
  7. Missionarios retornados- Missao Rio de Janeiro Group (260 members)
  8. Missao Rio de Janeiro 92-94 Facebook Group (236 members)
  9. Missao Brasil Rio de Janeiro 1999-02 Ringger Group (182 members)
  10. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Mission Facebook Group (174 members)
  11. Missao Rio de Janeiro – Pres. Bezerra! Group (157 members)
  12. Rio de Janeiro Mission – Cory Bangerter 1984-87 Group (59 members)
  13. Rio de Janeiro Mission Moms and Friends (LDS) Group (9 members)

Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission!

Shirt designs include Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL.  The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you.

*Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Brazil Rio de Janeiro missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.

*Click here to browse Rio de Janeiro Mission gifts



*Click here to see our new shirt design for the Brazil Rio De Janeiro Mission:



Rio de Janeiro Mission Presidents

Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Rio de Janeiro LDS Mission.

  1. 2017-2020, Júlio César Kern
  2. 2014-2017, Antonio Marcos Cabral de Sousa
  3. 2011-2014, Geraldo Lima
  4. 2008-2011, Antonio Bezerra
  5. 2005-2008, Milton H. Brinton
  6. 2002-2005, Reinaldo de Souza Barreto
  7. 1999-2002, Mark D. Ringger
  8. 1996-1999, Grant A. Worth
  9. 1993-1996, Valerio Kikuchi
  10. 1990-1993, Orville Wayne Day, Jr.
  11. 1987-1990, Lenis M. Knighton
  12. 1984-1987, Cory W. Bangerter
  13. 1981-1984, Danilio Talanskas
  14. 1978-1981, Max Shirts
  15. 1975-1978, Helio da Rocha Camargo
  16. 1970-1973, George A. Oakes

Brazil LDS Statistics (2016)

  • Church Membership: 1,326,738
  • Missions: 34
  • Temples: 6
  • Congregations: 2,038
  • Family History Centers: 341

Helpful Articles about Brazil

Coming soon..

Rio de Janeiro Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from Brazil Rio de Janeiro RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.

When did you serve?

  • May 2012-May 2014 (Jared)
  • 2011-2013 (William)
  • 2011-2013 (Anthony)
  • 2010-2012 (Erica)
  • 2007-2009 (Brandon)
  • January 2006-January 2008 (Samuel)
  • November 2005-November 2007 (Tim)
  • 2005-2007 (Peter)
  • 1999-2001 (Reed)
  • 1999-2001 (Camila)
  • 1998-1999 (John)
  • 1984-1985 (Jess)

What areas did you serve in?

  • Niterói, Ramos, Trindade, Vila Nova, Piabetá, Manejo, and Paineiras. The cities in each being Niterói, Rio de Janeiro(Ramos, Vila Nova) São Gonçalo(Trindade) Piabetá, Resende(Manejo) and Teresópolis(paineiras). (Anthony)
  • Macae and Comari. (Erica)
  • Rio de Janeiro, Petropolis, Itatiaia, Volta Redonda, Angra dos Reis. (Brandon)
  • Rio de Janeiro, Petropolis, Leopoldina. (Reed)
  • Served in Rio de Janeiro south. (Camila)
  • Juiz de Fora, Petrópolis, Bangú, Angra Dos Reis, e Duque de Caxias! (John)

What were some favorite foods?

  • Feijoada, farofa, salada de maionese, suco de maracujá, strogonoff. (Jared)
  • Acai cups. Feijoada. All churrasco. (William)
  • Estrogonofe de frango, rice and beans. (Anthony)
  • Pão de queijo. Estrogonofe. Cachorro quente. (Erica)
  • Churrasco. Beef milanesa. Pastel. Coxinha. Pão de queijo. (Brandon)
  • Rice, beans, pasta, roast chicken, salad, mousse, guarana juice. (Samuel)
  • Parme Pizza. Churrasco. X-tudo. Acai. Black beans and rice. Rabanada Pão de queijo. Guarana. (Tim)
  • Maracujá, brigadeiro, açaí, pastéis. (Peter)
  • Feijada. Coxinhos. (Reed)
  • A fruta caqui em juiz de fora e um biscotinho com goiaba em juiz de fora amei o peixe em angra dos reis. (Camila)
  • Angu, feijoada, beefe à milanesa, queijo branco com goiabada, Pudim, mousse de maracujá, aipim frito, frango com kiabo, frango com batata, peixe espada, e tangerina. (John)
  • The Fruit, Vitaminas (Smoothies). (Jess)

What was a funny experience?

  • You never know who you will meet on the street, in their homes, at church, etc. Every person is different and interesting and has a funny story to tell. This is true for companions as well. Every day something new and funny will happen. (Jared)
  • When an armed criminal wanted to talk to me… He wanted to know his English name. (William)
  • This is kind of funny, but a little messed up as well. There are lots of pigeons that just walk on the sidewalk with no problems, One day, my companion and I were walking down the street, and he saw one, usually they are able to move out of the way, but my companion kicked at it and made contact. The pigeon went airborne towards the road right as a car passed by. All we saw after that was a mess of feathers in the air. (Anthony)
  • Experiencing the Evangelical Church of the train. Just so happened, we were riding at the time they did their revivals…. On the train. (Brandon)
  • I cringe at a person on the street, thinking he was going to rob me. He only wanted a friendship card. (Samuel)
  • My companion and I were walking by a Catholic Church one day and it looked like they were having a BBQ and we looked and saw that they had an entire cow rotating on a spit over a big fire. The entire cow was wrapped in tin foil and even it’s horns were wrapped. (Tim)
  • At the time this happened, I was in my first area, about two weeks after leaving the CTM. I spoke almost no conversational Portuguese. After a long day, my companion and I were walking home. A man saw us and crossed the street and approaching us, passed my companion and threw his arms up, suggesting he wanted a hug. The man hugged me and kissed me on the neck. I had no idea what to do or say or if this was normal. It turned out the guy was drunk. My Brazilian companion made it clear that it was not normal behavior and I was happy to never have the experience again! (Peter)
  • One time, we got a toy army man with a parachute and threw it off the top of a 25 story building. In one house, I lived with 5 other missionaries. Since the house was just tile, we would routinely get buckets of water and we would shout across the room “I baptize you …” while we tossed a bucket on someone. (Reed)
  • Se vestindo de uma palhaço e fazendo brincadeiras com as crianças! (John)
  • My companion coming out of the bathroom after not igniting the gas water heater for several minutes and instead of airing it out to clear out the gas he just kept trying to light it. The apartment shook as if there had been an earthquake but it was the gas that filled the bathroom igniting. He opens the door and his eyebrows and hair are singed off and his face is covered in soot and then he coughs and smoke comes out of his mouth. Since he wasn’t hurt it was hilarious . . . like seeing a cartoon come to life. (Jess)

What was a crazy/dangerous experience?

  • Don’t go into the favelas. Just don’t do it. You will see guns, drugs and men and women who need a law of Chastity pamphlet. (Jared)
  • One time, we were in a very dangerous neighborhood that didn’t know us yet. We sorta got there by accident. We wound up passing right by a major drug deal with many armed thugs. They followed us and when we got to our destination, they wanted to take us because they thought we might be police. Fortunately, the member whose house we finally got to stuck up for us and it was fine. (William)
  • Returning home one day, my companion and I were on the bus. While we were traveling, a member of a gang was on the bus with us while he was in an opposing gang’s territory, they knew and were after him. They drove by on a motorcycle and attempted to stop the bus, the other gang member was on a seat in front of me at this time. But when the two on the motorcycle came around, he moved to another seat closer to the back. They looked in the window but didn’t see him anymore. The bus driver then sped away from the motorcyclists. They chased after showing guns, but left after we crossed gang territory lines. (Anthony)
  • We were meeting with a guy and his girlfriend, and he kept asking if I believed Osama bin Ladin was really dead. He had creepy newspaper clippings taped up on his wall. He pulled out a knife and threatened to cut himself. We took off and got on the bus just on time to get away from him! (Erica)
  • People walking around with guns. Machine gun battles happening at night. At an investigator’s house watching the news about a gang battle happening near by and being able to hear the machine gun fire. (Brandon)
  • Be inside a slum, while the police were coming for a routine operation. (Samuel)
  • We were trying to get across town to get to an appointment and the fastest way was through this big open field. Usually when we walked through there, there were stolen cars that were abandoned there, stripped, and were left there to burn over night. This time we came across a young boy that what poking at some smoldering garbage, but as we got closer we noticed it was a human body. Unfortunately in many areas of Rio, gangs will kill people they don’t like or that did them wrong. (Tim)
  • I worked in an area that, at the time, included the Cidade de Deus (City of God), one of many favelas in Rio de Janeiro. All the phone booths in this area were riddled with bullet holes and members in the area had to cancel lunch once or twice while I was there due to shootouts taking place. While leaving the area after lunch one day, an armed man with a walkie talkie approached my companion and I and asked us what we were up to. After a short explanation of what we were doing, he didn’t seem to care much, but it was a nervous couple of minutes! (Peter)
  • Had a brazen gun man board a bus at Rio Shopping Mall on Avanidas Das Americas. He did it right in front of a police booth. It was 2 or 3 days after a different gunman had boarded a bus and ended up killing 1 person. People were freaking out. My companion (Brazilian from Sao Paulo) and I were at the back of the bus. I asked him if he thought we should jump out the window. My companion said we should just sit still and we would be fine. The gun man ended up exiting out the bus before he got to us. Another time, I stepped off the bus non Av. Das Americas and saw a man break a beer bottle and thrust it into the back of a street vendor. This was near the Mission Office. Finally, we were walking to a bus station in a favala called Jardim Maravilha (near the City of God favela) and we saw a large crowd. A young man, probably between 18-21 had been shot in the back of the head, probably 1 or 2 minutes before we arrived. This was around 9 p.m. The young man was part of a drug cartel, and had been assassinated. (Reed)
  • Eu escurreguei muma ladeira e quase quebrei minha perna no meio da escuridao, no dia seguinte quando voltamos ao local era praticamente um abismo onde eu tinha escurregado. os anjos estavam me segurando naquela noite xom certeza. (Camila)
  • Sendo apredajado vários vezes! Tenho muito mais! (John)
  • Another water heater involved. It was electrical coils right on the shower head that heated the water it stopped heating the water midway through my shower so i reached up to tap it to make it work. I was then shocked or made part of the electrical current. I wasn’t burned as I was all wet and it had a steel or copper shower drain pipe. I knocked out power for at least 3 city blocks. (Jess)

What was a spiritual experience?

  • Singing hymns in members’ and investigators’ homes always brings the Spirit. It doesn’t matter if the people sing well or not, the Spirit is there if you are reverent. (Jared)
  • One happened when my companion and I both got an impression at the same time to knock on a specific door. We did and this 16 year old girl answered. She was soon baptized and has since served and returned from a mission of her own. Very cool how the Lord gives such specific and important direction. (William)
  • One of my baptisms was particularly difficult. She would do everything, go to church, read, pray, everything. But would only commit to baptism if she knew for a fact that she received an answer from God, which was difficult to get. After I had tried what I thought to be everything, an idea came to me to show the video of President Hinckley’s testimony in England after which I showed a video the mission made about baptism. I tried several times to get it set up for a family night, but it was challenging. Finally we got it set up in a member’s house. We showed the videos and after, a member bore testimony then me, I remember saying that “I don’t know what else to do if this doesn’t work, I feel like I’ve tried everything” I said a few more things that don’t remember but then she responded with “if this isn’t the Holy Ghost that I’m feeling, I think I need to go to the hospital” she committed to be baptized but a few more things delayed it a little bit. But she was finally baptized on May 9th. (Anthony)
  • Every single baptism! (Erica)
  • So many. It’s amazing that even in all the chaos and hardships of Brazil, there are still people that have been prepared before hand by the Lord to find the gospel and get baptized and as a missionary you have the honor of being part of it. (Brandon)
  • See miracles in people’s lives, leaving behind addictions and wishing to live the gospel of Christ. ( Samuel)
  • There are so many but this one I wouldn’t know about until about 6 years after my mission. We were asked to teach a young boy of a family that was somewhat inactive but their parents really wanted us to teach and baptize him. They were the easiest lessons because he already knew a lot and we really talked to his parents about going to church every week. Unfortunately, the week of his baptism, I was transferred out of the area so I didn’t get to see his baptism. Anyways, some years later I get a friend request on Facebook from him and he sends me a message thanking me so much for teaching him and how we changed his life. He was just about to leave to serve on his mission and had to tell me. I never really knew I would have that strong of an effect on a young boy. (Tim)
  • Learning Portuguese was a challenging experience for me. After about 3 months, I decided to start translating my patriarchal blessing during my language study time. It was a challenging process, but by the time I finished working on the translation, my ability to communicate had improved tremendously, and I was able to be a more effective missionary. I know that the Spirit facilitated my language learning efforts and today, years after returning home, I maintain a high level of certification by the military in Portuguese. (Peter)
  • Pudia ver a dom das curas pelas bênções do Sacerdóçio! Adorei! (John)
  • I gave a blessing to a sister or soon to be a sister in the ward. She had been taught the lessons about 10 years before and attended church and was active but didn’t get baptized. Forward 10 years and we teach her sister and her and her sister gets baptized but she was still holding out. We went over one night to teach her again and she said that she was feeling ill. She explained that she had a condition, so we offered to give her a blessing. The spirit was so powerful that it felt like we were floating above the ground. I wanted to open my eyes and see if we were standing in the air. When I finished pronouncing the blessing she said she felt as if she was floating and then she said that she was going to be getting baptized. (Jess)

What are some interesting facts about the Rio de Janeiro Mission?

  • Rio is the second biggest city in Brazil. The Christ Redeemer Statue is there along with Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf Mountain). There are many famous beaches such as Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. (Jared)
  • One happened when my companion and i both got an impression art the same time to knock on a specific door. We did and this 16 year old girl answered. She was soon baptized and had since served and returned from a mission of her own. Very cool how the Lord gives such specific and important direction. (William)
  • The people from Rio are called Carioca’s. It is home to the Christ the Redeemer statue, one the wonder’s of the world. It is home to two of the most famous beaches in the world Copacabana and Ipanema. The city is home to more than 8 million people. It used to be the Capitol of Brazil until it was moved to Brasilia. And it’s home to some of the best people on the planet. (Anthony)
  • Beautiful. People are very diverse too. Blacks, whites, indigenous looking people, Asians. Very chaotic place but it is awesome. No place like Rio on earth. Also you don’t usually knock on doors, you just clap your hands and ask is anyone home. (Brandon)
  • The people of Rio de Janeiro are very receptive and friendly. Rio de Janeiro is dangerous, but it’s not as dangerous as the media presents daily on television and the internet. There’s more dangerous cities in Brazil such as Maceió, Aracaju, Salvador, Recife, João Pessoa, Natal, Campina Grande, Fortaleza and São Luís. (Samuel)
  • It used to be two missions. One was Rio North and the other was just known as Rio. Technically, our Mission President at the time lived outside of the mission in Barra da Tijuca. (Tim)
  • Rio is named for a river that doesn’t exist, and the French once held it for ransom (1700s)! Before Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro was the capitol of Brazil. (Peter)
  • Rio will get a temple even though all of the Paulistas never thought it would get a temple. There was a prophesy from a Seventy that this would happen. (Reed)
  • Falamos Português! Tem mamão e abacate que são maior do que sua cabeça! (John)
  • My mission was about the size of a third of the lower 48 states. Last I checked it has been split into at least 13 – 17 missions. (Jess)

What was the weather like?

  • Hot. All of the time. You will sweat so much. All the time. You will sweat when you are awake and when you are asleep. It didn’t rain nearly as much as I expected. Also, it is extremely hot. (Jared)
  • Winter is very mild and only cold at night so have an extra blanket and maybe a sweater just in case. Insulation and heating are basically non-existent. The spring fall and summer are hot, rainy and humid. You will sweat much so drink water constantly. (William)
  • Mostly hot and humid. When it rains, it tends to rain a lot. (Anthony)
  • Always hot and humid, but nicer if you’re by the ocean. In the winter months, it’s cooler and more rainy. (Erica)
  • Pretty hot in the summer. Similar to living in Florida. If you are in the mountains, it’s cooler and not too bad. Very humid. (Brandon)
  • Most of the year, Rio de Janeiro is very hot, but there are times of heavy rain and cold. (Samuel)
  • Very hot during the summer especially in big city areas. During the winter, I think it rarely got down to below 60 degrees. Wear sunscreen! When it rains, it will pour like nothing you have ever seen. It will usually be warm rain. During the summer, it will almost always rain in the afternoon for like 10 or 20 minutes and then stop and the sun will dry everything up making it even more humid. (Tim)
  • Hot. Humid. Very hot. (Peter)
  • Hot. (Reed)
  • Bom, nao chuveu muito. (Camila)
  • Calor e bafado, menos na serra de Petrópolis! (John)
  • It was hot and humid and when it rained it poured. (Jess)

Any things you really like about the area/people?

  • It is gorgeous in Rio. The people are extremely friendly and almost all (98%) have strong Christian backgrounds. (Jared)
  • Well, it’s Rio so there is a ton. You can just Google that. However, one thing you’ll want to try is catching a bus at night on a bumpy road and sitting in the back. It’s probably dangerous but it makes a pretty good roller coaster for those who miss Disneyland. I should probably just say to try that at your own risk even though it was always fine for me. Basically, I liked everything. I mean, it’s poor in most neighborhoods and hot always and sorta dirty, but the food was amazing, the people are generally cordial, and there are just some perspective changing experiences to be had there. I can’t wait to go back! (William)
  • The people are really friendly. The place is beautiful. (Anthony)
  • The people are very passionate and when they really love you, they will do anything for you! (Erica)
  • Friendly. Members would feed us lunch every day. Members can make it so you never have to knock a single door. Most everyone will let you teach them because they are nice but the trick is to help them actually go to church and get baptized. (Brandon)
  • I liked the openness of the people. Rio de Janeiro is a good place to find the Lord’s elect. (Samuel)
  • Almost everyone is so friendly. Occasionally you might run into a person from another religion that will argue with you but you learn to avoid them. Pretty much everyone will allow you in to share a message with them, but usually they will make up excuses when you invite them to church or ask them to read the Book Of Mormon. (Tim)
  • Cariocas (people from Rio) are very easy going and quick to smile and laugh. They are very quick to make you a friend and will gladly invite you into their homes. We taught a family of extremely humble circumstances for a short time, and even after making it clear they weren’t interested in baptism, they were very eager to share whatever they had with us. As we prepared to leave, the father dug a piggy bank of sorts from a hidden area of the home, he pulled out a few precious dollars and offered to pay our bus fare. This experience was representative of my entire experience with the people of Rio de Janeiro. (Peter)
  • The black beans were good. (Reed)
  • Os membros fieis. (Camila)
  • Todo mundo me recebeu muito bem! Amei a cultura 100%! As festas, feríados, fútbol, a música, … as cachoeiras, as praias! Gostei que a maioria das pessoas acreditam em Cristo, então foi façil falar sobre Ele com todo mundo! (John)
  • The people for the most part were a very happy, open people. They were warm and inviting. (Jess)

Any packing/clothing advice?

  • Short sleeve shirts (because it is hot). Sun screen. Water bottle. Light colored (tan, gray, etc) pants. Do not overpack. I can’t say that enough. You are not living in the middle of the desert. There are stores, so you can find most things you need there. Buy sturdy shoes. (Jared)
  • Only need one long sleeve shirt. One sweater. One suit is generally sufficient. Just bring very sturdy shoes, lots and lots of short sleeves and don’t leave your whites out to dry if it’s going to rain. That’s a guaranteed bad time. (William)
  • Don’t use 100% cotton clothes. It recommends it in the booklet you get from the church, but trust me, don’t get cotton garments. Way too hot for them. I would get the Drilux. Packing just know that you do move around quite a bit. So keep what you bring to a minimum. Too heavy bags and you’ll really dislike your packing choices. (Anthony)
  • Normal stuff. (Brandon)
  • In Rio de Janeiro, you should use lighter clothes and should always have some wrap around. (Samuel)
  • Short sleeve shirts are a must. You will only wear your suit jacket to church on Sundays. A few pairs of good walking shoes. You walk and take the bus everywhere. Bring some sweat rags to carry on you. When you come into a home, it is so hot you will be sweating like a pig and need to dry yourself. Don’t worry about a rain jacket. Just use an umbrella. Bring one sweater. Depending on where you are, bring a slightly heavy blanket to sleep at night. I needed one for one area because it would get so cold at night in the house. (Tim)
  • Keep it light! (Peter)
  • Bring some nice sweaters to wear in the winter time. The humidity makes it cold. Make sure you have strong garments. They’re hotter to wear, but you have to wash your clothes by hand. So they have to hold up. (Reed)
  • Minimo no posivel mas para as sisters nao se esquecam de um bom secador de cabelo. (Camila)
  • Sapatos de alta qualidade, vai andar muito! Gravatas pra trocar. Camisas de manga curta! (John)
  • No coat required. At least 4 pairs of sturdy shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking. (Jess)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

  • More than I can count. My testimony grew. My desire to share the Gospel grew. My desire to continue serving in the church after my mission grew. I know what is most important in my life now. I appreciate my family more. I love and appreciate my Savior so much more. My language skills have been an irreplaceable blessing for me. (Jared)
  • Overcoming vices. Internship. Graduate school. Family all blessed in every way. Wonderful wife. Better understanding of leadership and how to lead in the church especially. Everything I had hoped for and more really. (William)
  • Learning a new language, a better understanding of the world, people, and the church. I feel I became a lot more able to sympathize and understand people. Also how we can be better as a whole. (Anthony)
  • Having a mature testimony after I returned home, and a firm desire to live the gospel. I overcame a lot of awkwardness in talking to people. I found a wonderful, faithful, eternal companion two years after I got home and I am expecting my first child! (Erica)
  • Portuguese is a cool language. Spanish is easy to learn if you known Portuguese. I have life long friends from serving a mission. Strengthened my testimony 10 fold. (Brandon)
  • I could grow spiritually and intellectually. I gained experience that will be of great importance to my mortal, and eternal progress. I matured as a child of Heavenly Father. (Samuel)
  • So many! (Tim)
  • I was able to learn a new language I didn’t speak before and can still speak fluently today. I learned a lot about myself. My understanding of the Gospel grew and continues to bless my life. I felt the love of the Savior for myself and for the people all around me. (Peter)
  • I got to pass my advance language requirements without having to take a math class. (Reed)
  • Conhecimento do evangelho e testunho cresceu. (Camila)
  • Um testemunho forte sobre a expiação de nosso Salvador e a veracidade do poder do santo Sacerdóçio e as mudanças maravilhosas que aconteçem nas vidas das pessoas que aceitarem o evangelho. (John)
  • Tons of blessings. I learned a language, I learned to put others before myself. I was blessed with the gift of tongues when I needed it. I learned how to explain the gospel simply. So so many blessings. Confidence. (Jess)

What are some skills you gained?

  • Organization. Setting and completing goals. Self evaluation. I know how to work hard. Language skills. More creative with coming up with new ideas and backup plans. (Jared)
  • People and social skills. Learning to navigate dangerous areas. Teaching skills. Language skills. And so on. (William)
  • Becoming fluent in Portuguese, learning how to navigate a bus system. (Anthony)
  • Waking up early and getting myself going each day. Learning how to explain the gospel by the Spirit and in simple terms. (Erica)
  • Speaking. Ability to relax and not get stressed. Brazil is unorganized and you have to get used to flying by the seat of your pants. (Brandon)
  • I became more communicative and I am more open socially. (Samuel)
  • Learned to speak a different language. Learned to be self sufficient. You learn that you are never really lost and how to locate hard to find homes and find your way around town. (Tim)
  • I learned how to work with people I initially didn’t agree with, overcoming differences and maintaining lasting friendships with them. (Peter)
  • How to survive in a country when you have no clue what is going on. (Reed)
  • Falarcom estranho, oferecer ajuda a qualquer pessoa, sem medo de ser rejeitada. (Camila)
  • Linguas, pasciênçia, e mais caridade. (John)
  • I learned to speak Portuguese. (Jess)

What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?

  • Be more obedient. Work harder. Be more reverent at all times, in all places and especially around other missionaries. Be more reverent and respect your calling. (Jared)
  • I wish I would have been less worried about numbers. I didn’t always let myself enjoy the moments or the spirit as much as I should have. That said, I’m glad that I pushed hard and “left it all on the court”. (William)
  • Studied the scriptures more. (Anthony)
  • Not to worry about learning the language in the MTC and just focused on doctrine and scriptures. The language comes with time. Try to learn it but don’t stress about not knowing it. (Brandon)
  • When I went to the mission, I was not very instructed by my leaders on the mission.  I only went to see how it really was on the mission when he was in the mission field. (Samuel)
  • Some easy cooking recipes. Really try to speak the language as much as you can while at the Mission Training Center. (Tim)
  • At the end of my mission, I realized my time as a missionary was just about examining the sources of real, lasting happiness in my life, and being myself as I invited others to experience that happiness. (Peter)
  • Os dias da missao passam rapido. (Camila)
  • Falar mais Português! 🙂 (John)
  • I wish I had a better mastery of the scriptures. Not to bash but so I would have known the commonly used passages better and to answer questions. (Jess)

Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Rio de Janeiro?

  • Do not take your calling lightly. This is not a trip. This is not a vacation. Your job is not to take pictures of everything. You are a representative of the Savior. Act with care, respect and reverence to show the Lord your love for Him. Never give up and remember why you are there. (Jared)
  • Too many are worried about the poverty and thinking our ways and culture are superior. Don’t do that. You already know you’re culture so learn a new one and you’ll be better able to fulfill your mission. You serve the Lord not your country. (William)
  • Be patient and understanding. Love the place and people otherwise you’ll be miserable. Make the culture your own, adapt to it and make it a part of you. Just speak…don’t worry about getting it right the first time… it’s a process of trial and error. Try every food that is put in front of you. And don’t be afraid to be bold and a little blunt with some people. (Anthony)
  • Learn as much as you can about the gospel and develop a relationship with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. (Erica)
  • Know you are blessed to go to Brazil and going to Brazil you get the full package of mission experiences. Also be prepared to walk haha. (Brandon)
  • They are always cheerful and smiling. Respecting the local culture and the people who are teaching. (Samuel)
  • Be patient with yourself while learning the language. It will come. Everyone learns at a different rate but give it about 9 months and you should be able to speak pretty much whatever is on your mind and understand others pretty well. (Tim)
  • Most of us will only experience a single opportunity to serve a mission in this way. Be there and be there 100%. You’ll have limitless opportunities for the experiences available to you before and after the mission. Focus on your relationship with Jesus Christ and share the benefits of that relationship. (Peter)
  • Rosetta Stone if you’re learning a language. Also, learn how to walk long distances. (Reed)
  • Acreditem que o Senhor os conhece e cuidara de voces. sejam fieis sejam felizes. (Camila)
  • Esteja preparada já com um testemunho do Livro de Mórmon, José Smith, e deixar o Espirito Santo te guiar em tudo! (John)
  • Love the people. Read the book of Mormon and pray and gain a testimony of it. I knew the book of Mormon was true before I served. I knew I wouldn’t be an effective missionary if I didn’t know that. Your testimony is the most important thing you can take with you on your (sorry the Lord’s mission). If you remember whose work it is and that he will work miracles through you then you know you can do anything he asks. (Jess)

What was a funny language mistake?

  • The difference between casar (to marry) and caçar (to hunt). I said I really wanted to study, work and go hunting after my mission but I meant to say get married. (Jared)
  • The words for coconut and excrement are similar. I told people that I loved poop. (William)
  • I had a companion who over pronounced her R’s. I was her last companion, but her accent was so thick that she sounded like she was newer on the mission than me. (Not to brag!) (Erica)
  • So much to teach the language to the American missionaries, just getting used to their way of talking to people then became a Brazilian with American way to talk to people. Only I could speak okay, right. (Samuel)
  • You can easily mix up the word for coconut and poop. Learn the difference quickly to avoid any mistakes. (Tim)
  • Queijo e beijo! (John)
  • My older brother served in Brazil 6 years before I did. He landed in the airport and while waiting to be picked up he was speaking to a lady and she kept saying something about a baby. He kept saying yes, yes a baby. He was later told by the assistants that she was asking if wanted to make a baby. I made sure after he shared that story that if I didn’t understand I would tell them I don’t understand. (Jess)

Rory (Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission)

–Paraphrased from  Rory’s mission interview–

Mission Info

Some of the coolest things about Rio are the Cristo Redentor statue. All the missionaries got to go on the last day of their mission. There is a huge market as well. There are the beautiful beaches that you can’t go to as a missionary. It’s really hot and humid and can get up to 120 degrees easily in the summer. The sisters usually have better apartments, but we have everything we need. There is a big distinction between rich and poor. The rich people live in big condos and apartments. The poor people live in slum areas called the favelas. They live in these brick or wood shacks with ten people to a room. They are very happy people though with. There is quite a bit of crime and drug trafficking, especially in the favelas. The government is constantly at war with the drug traffickers. I never felt threatened though because everyone is religious and they recognize that we are missionaries and respect us. The common job is a stone worker. They make houses and other necessary buildings. The richer people will work in offices. There are trains, buses, a system called the BRT which has its own lane and gets you around pretty quick. You get crammed in pretty good.

The 2016 Olympics will be in Rio. Brazilians were nuts about soccer for the World Cup. I started out in the farthest west area of the mission. It’s very beautiful there. There is a big bridge in the center of Rio that is one of the longest bridges in the world. A decent apartment would be pretty expensive for the people living down there because minimum wage is very low.