Misión España Barcelona
Free resources about the Spain Barcelona Mission:
Aquí están algunos recursos gratuitos sobre la Misión España Barcelona:
- Mission address and phone number
- Mission map
- Video interviews with returned missionaries
- Missionary blogs
- Facebook groups
- LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
- List of past mission presidents
- Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
- Survey with RMs
*Other Mission Pages: Spain LDS Missions.
Spain Barcelona Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Spain Barcelona Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.
Spain Barcelona Mission
Calle Calatrava Nº 10-12, Bajos Barcelona
08017 Barcelona Spain
Phone Number: 34-932-116-762
Mission President: President Merril T. Dayton
Spain Barcelona Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Spain Barcelona Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Barcelona Mission:
Videos with Barcelona RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Barcelona Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.
LDS-Friendly Videos about Spain
Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about Spain. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about Spain, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.
Spain Barcelona Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Barcelona Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Spain Barcelona Mission Groups
Here are Barcelona Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Barcelona Mission.
- Barcelona President Hinckley 2009-12 Group (339 members)
- Barcelona President W. Christopher Waddell Group (295 members)
- Barcelona Alumni President Clate W. Mask Group (256 members)
- Spain Barcelona Mission – President Pace Group (174 members)
- Barcelona Alumni President Donald P. Tenney Group (147 members)
- Barcelona Mission – President Jesse Judd Group (65 members)
- Spain Barcelona Mission Facebook Group (43 members)
- Spain Barcelona Mission – President Haws Group (34 members)
- Barcelona Spain Mission!! Facebook Group (32 members)
- Mision de Espana, Barcelona 2010-2012 Group (23 members)
- Spain Barcelona Mission Facebook Group (15 members)
- Barcelona Mission Moms and Friends (LDS) Group (14 members)
- Barcelona Mission – President Valencia 1984-86 Group (8 members)
- Mision de Espana Barcelona – Presidente Bowen Group (2 members)
- Barcelona Mission (Pres. Doxey and Larsen) Group (1 member)
Spain Barcelona Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Spain Barcelona Mission!
Shirt designs include Barcelona 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: Barcelona missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Barcelona Mission gifts
Spain Barcelona Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Barcelona Mission.
- 2015-2018, Merril T. Dayton
- 2012-2015, Mark L. Pace
- 2009-2012, Clark B. Hinckley
- 2006-2009, W. Chris Waddell
- 2003-2006, John Watson
- 2000-2003, Shayne Bowen
- 1997-2000, Clate Mask
- 1994-1997, Donald P. Tenney
- 1991-1994, E. Jerald Haws
- 1988-1991, Jesse James Judd
- 1986-1988, J. Boyd Fenn
- 1984-1985, Ricardo Valencia
- 1981-1984, D. Birch Larsen
- 1978-1981, David W. Doxey
- 1976-1979, Smith B. Griffin
Spain LDS Statistics (2015)
- Church Membership: 52,747
- Missions: 3
- Temples: 1
- Congregations: 141
- Family History Centers: 55
Helpful Articles about Spain
Spain Barcelona Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Spain Barcelona RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
*Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission.
When did you serve?
- March 2013-September 2014 (Kaitlyn)
- July 2011-December 2012 (Jeska)
- 1982-1984 (Rickey)
- 2000-2002 (Travis)
- 2008-2010 (Brett)
- August 1983-February 1985 (Antonia)
- 2006-2008 (Kendrick)
- 2007-2009 (Chase)
- 1991-1993 (Mark)
- 2006-2008 (Michele)
- 2008-2010 (Emily)
- 2008-2009 (Mandi)
- 1992-1994 (David)
- 1993-1995 (Mark)
- 1997-1999 (Kelly)
- 1996-1998 (Brian)
- 1986-1987 (Jennifer)
- 18 Months (Charity)
- 1984-1985 (Beth)
- 1984-1985 (David)
Which areas did you serve in?
- Badalona, Valencia, Barcelona, Castile Leon. (Gilbert)
- Barcelona 3, hospitalet, Vitoria, Palma de Mallorca. (Laken)
- Palma de Mallorca. (Jeremy)
- In order from beginning to end: Zaragoza, Murcia, Valencia, Elche, Alicante, Terrassa. (Kelly)
- Elche, Badalona, Granollers, Alzira, Barcelona. (Brian)
- Cartagena, Elche, Catarroja, Barcelona. (Jennifer)
- Barcelona, Elche and Alicante. (Charity)
- Badalona, Logrono, Barcelona, Pamplona. (Beth)
- Tarragona, Vitoria, Mataro, Manresa, Zaragoza, Terrassa, Valencia, Albacete, Barcelona. (David)
What were some favorite foods?
- Paella, napolitanas, papas rellenas, kebab. (Kaitlyn)
- Napolitanas, especially from the bakery in Pamplona called Beatriz. Mmmm!! There is a Peruvian dish that I had a few times. I think it’s called papa ayuana gallina (something like that). It’s rice, potatoes, and chicken covered in a yellowish sauce. (Jeska)
- Tortilla. Paella. Chorizo. Jamon Serrano. (Rickey)
- Paella, tortilla de patata, jamon serrano, horchata, fufu, lentil soup, aroz con leche, napolitana. (Travis)
- Jamon Serrano, Morcillo (blood sausage), Chorizo, Tortilla de patata. (Brett)
- Fabada, huevos rellenos, patatas fritas con huevos fritos, ensaladilla, bocatas. (Antonia)
- Paella, Horchata, jamon, pique macho, papas a la huancaina, napolitanas, tortilla de patata. (Kendrick)
- Calamari, paella, fresh bread every day, pastries. Hamon cerano. All of it. (Gilbert)
- Paella, gambas, horchata, polverones. (Brian)
- Paella, pan con aceite de oliva, napoleotana, tortilla de patata, and aroz con carne. (Chase)
- Paella Valenciana (del campo, no del mar) y Tortilla Española. (Mark)
- Pan con tomate, baguette de pan con alioli, chocolate croissants 🙂 Lentejas con chorizo. (Michele)
- Pan tomate, arroz con pollo, empanadas de Columbia, paella con mariscos. (Emily)
- Chilean empanadas, fresh cheese and bread, flan, jamon serrano. (Mandi)
- Tortilla Bolicau Rotisserie chicken Churros con chocolate Juices Fruit (David)
- Tortilla de patatas Gazpacho manchego (not the regular gazpacho) Horchata Ensaimada paella para nosotros. (Mark)
- Papa la huencaina, Tortilla de patata. (Laken)
- Paella, napolitanas, Magdalenas and yogurt, tortilla de patata. (Kelly)
- Paella, horchata de Chufa, aceitunas. (Brian)
- Paella, ensaladilla Rusa, leche merengada, turron, churros con chocolate, flan, biscocho de flan y magdalenas. (Jennifer)
- Paella, tortilla de patata, caracoles, napolitanas, flan, horchata de chufa. (Charity)
- Paella, churros, palmeras, magdalenas. (Beth)
- Paella, tortilla, flan, madalenas. ensalada rusa, mejillones, calimares en su tinta, aioli, gazpacho, gazpacho manchego, pa amb tomàquet, jamon serrano, chorizo de pamplona, pastel vasco, pan, hot dogs from the street venders, and many others that don’t come to mind right now. (David)
What was a funny experience?
- We were riding on the train on the way to a zone meeting. One of the sisters always had some kind of fruit when we had to train. She tripped and her apple flew into the lap of one of the gentlemen on the train. Startled, she exclaimed, “Lo siento. Estoy embarazada,” meaning to say, “I am sorry, I am so embarrassed.” She actually said, “I’m sorry, I am pregnant!” (Kaitlyn)
- We were trying to find a less active member and didn’t have a super accurate address. We rang a doorbell and asked if it was that less active member. Doorbells there are at the entrance to the apartment complex and if the person knows you, they can ring you in. Well, the person who answered the phone wasn’t the less active member, like we thought, but he asked if we were the missionaries, and even called my companion by her name. We said yes and he let us in. Turns out, it was one of the men in the bishopric in our ward. (Jeska)
- Once my companion and I were chased from the metro transfer station at Plaza Cataluña by a crazy guy with a knife. When we got to street level, we ran into McDonald’s. (Rickey)
- We found a refrigerator box and took it back to our apartment and painted it blue and used gold to paint lettering to say Book of Mormon. We cut holes on the sides so our arms could stick out and we would walk around with someone in it and ask people if they had ever seen a Book of Mormon so big? We would ask if they would like to know more about the book? We got all kinds of reactions and it made the day a lot of fun. (Travis)
- I have a number of experiences that can bring me to tears just thinking about them, but they are either too long to discuss here, or too nuanced to be conveyed in writing. (Brett)
- It was the best. (Antonia)
- Chasing down a shoplifter on our way home from tracting. Elder Perkins turning around with me halfway down the street. Got all of the merchandise back for the store owner. (Gilbert)
- Being interviewed on a sleazy late night talk show. (Brian)
- Hearing Catalan for the first time and thinking it was Spanish, I thought I was in trouble because I couldn’t understand it at all! (Chase)
- Two Elders in our zone in La Union were arrested for throwing rocks at the windows of an abandoned building, so at the next Zone Meeting, we modified the previous year’s “Busca Bobos” (the Mission Christmas Card) to make their two pictures look like police mug shots and passed out copies of it. (Mark)
- Having water dumped on me from a second story window- a Spanish lady just finished mopping and threw out her old water- right on top of my head. Awesome. (Michele)
- Every day was a funny experience – even the tragic ones. (Emily)
- Making excuses every day to eat a Christmas Turron. They are the best!!! (Mandi)
- Eating unpeeled fruit at the table with Spaniards always makes them freak out. Found out why no one eats the oranges off the trees on the streets. Hint, they are mostly watered with dog urine…(David)
- One day in Elche, we stopped someone on the street who turned out to be a talk show host on a sleazy late night show. We shared the gospel and she invited us to the TV station to share the message on her show. We spent an hour or two teaching the gospel on the show, and I’ve always wondered how that episode fared. Years later when I met returned missionaries from another Spain mission and mentioned the story, they were amazed to hear I was one of those Elders. Apparently the story of the talk show gospel discussion had gotten around all of Spain. (Brian)
- Overhearing someone on the street commenting about my hair looking like it was bleached and being able to comment back to them in Spanish that it was natural and seeing the shocked look on their face. (Jennifer)
- We dressed up as The Book of Mormon and went walking down the street. People would actually street contact us! (Charity)
- My companion brought a grubby little kitten home from an exchange and we cleaned him up and nursed him back to health. His eyes were just barely open and he was starving. We kept him in the piso and he used to attack us in the middle of the night. He would pounce on our faces while we were trying to sleep. (David)
What was a crazy experience?
- We had to pick up a Sister from the bus station, but the bus system had been messed up because of Holy Week, the celebration the full week before Easter. The city buses stopped running, so we had to go through the streets late at night while a silent procession wound through the old city. We didn’t get home until nearly time to go to bed- over an hour late! (Kaitlyn)
- Once my companion and I were chased from the metro transfer station at Plaza Cataluña by a crazy guy with a knife. (Rickey)
- I was transferred from Castellon De La Plana to Zaragoza and was told that there was a train stop along the way in an area missionaries used to be until they were accused of something they did not do. It was told to me that I needed to dress in street clothes and not to display my missionary badge as to not draw attention to me. I was not sure what might happen but was relieved when nothing did and I went on my way. (Travis)
- My companion and I basically got kicked out of Andorra because my companion didn’t have his proper paperwork. We got caught at the border, and they almost threw us in jail. They told us to get our stuff from our apartment in Andorra, and make our way out of the country. We spent our last few weeks in a hotel in Spain. (Brett)
- Dangerous ? Walking back home in Pamplona at 9:00 pm, walking in the middle of a little park. It was dark and not much light there. Crazy ????? Trying to enter in another Church, and have a argument with somebody there, because he told us ” what are you doing here? you are not welcome, get out, this is God’s house, you don’t belong here ” My arrival…they were waiting for me at the train station, and I was in the airport all by myself, so I took a taxi to the Mission Home. Heheheheheh. (Antonia)
- We had just finished a lesson on the Word of Wisdom that got a bit heated with my companion and the investigator. While walking home from the lesson, someone threw up out a window and it landed on my companion. Not a drop on me. Crazy thing, it smelt like wine. (Gilbert)
- The time a less active nearly decked my companion. (Brian)
- My companion and I had a bully in one area that we actually had to “take down.” It was physical, but we won. (Chase)
- The town of Lorca had a castle with a tall tower on top of the hill above town. They kept the humongous key for the castle door at the Ayuntamiento (city hall) and tourists could go and check the key out in order to get inside of the castle tower. We went down to the Ayuntamiento to get the key, and they told us that the electrician had it and was up at the castle putting up the lighting for the annual Cristianos y Moros event that they hold at the castle (kind of like a Civil War reenactment in the United States). We went up to the castle and sure enough, the electrician was there and the castle tower was open. We went in and went up to the roof level to take photos, and while we were up there, the electrician finished and locked up the tower and left and we were locked inside. We went up to the roof and were stranded up there for a couple of hours until the local police made there daily afternoon drive by and we were able to get their attention from the roof, and they went and got the key and let us out. It was a bit of a disconcerting situation, because our travel visas had been expired for over a year, but they didn’t ask to see our identification papers. (Mark)
- Running away from two drunken men trying to attack us. Luckily the elders were there and fought them off but it was pretty scary. (Michele)
- Getting fondled by a man on an abandoned road in the middle of a storm that hit Benidorm. We were on our way home in a hurry and he crossed the street, ran at me, and before I could move out of the way I was getting groped – deliberately, remorselessly. He ran off when I pushed him away but it all happened before I could even say anything. (Emily)
- Meeting with a man who had strong gender role ideas and didn’t believe women should be allowed to do/say anything without her man’s say-so. He seemed scary and abusive and we need to get out of his home. (Mandi)
- Guy pulled a knife on me one night while we were doing a pan carta- he was drunk and kept coming back to me. Awesome elder Knox talked him down. (David)
- Getting mugged in the Barcelona metro — but only because my senior companion got scared and asked me to give the guy some money. But I was pretty sure he didn’t have a knife (he didn’t). (Mark)
- I was hit by a car. 😁 Careful of those crazy drivers! (Laken)
- Hiking up to the top of Calpe on preparation day. I don’t think it’s allowed anymore, but it was at the time and it was dangerous but breathtaking. (Kelly)
- This wasn’t dangerous, but it was a little intimidating. I arrived by train to a new city for a transfer, and no one was there to meet me at the station. I didn’t have anyone’s name or phone number to contact and it was dark and about 8 p.m. (Jennifer)
- We were on a bus to an appointment that was pretty far away and the bus caught fire. We had to evacuate and wait for another bus to come and get us. (Charity)
- One night we were woken up by a drunk man ringing our doorbell and banging on the door. His girlfriend was accusing my companion of flirting with her and he wanted to get even. The neighbors finally convinced him to go away and leave us alone. (David)
What was a spiritual experience?
- My grandpa passed away during my mission. It didn’t really hit me for a couple of months, and when it did, it hit hard. We had decided to study Lesson 2, the Plan of Salvation, for personal study for a lesson later that day. It was the first time that I fully understood the significance of eternal families. I felt my grandpa there for a moment, and I knew that I would see him again. (Kaitlyn)
- Missionaries had been teaching this woman, Lidia, for a long time. Her best friend brought her to the church. But she wasn’t progressing. She had been attending church for 6 years. She was a dry member. Every Monday, we had a ward Family Home Evening, and there were about 6 families who would come. She always came with her friend. The person who was set to give the lesson didn’t show up, so we decided to have a testimony meeting. Lidia decided to share her testimony. While giving her testimony, she said “I am not a member of your church, but soon I will be.” (Jeska)
- Seeing how the Spirit would touch someone after prayer and a lesson. (Rickey)
- My companion and I were in the street feeling down and out after repeated appointment cancellations and not getting a positive response from people. We sat for a while and talked with each other about what we could do better. We both decided we needed to invite the Spirit back with us with prayer and ask Heavenly Father to place someone in our path to teach. When we were done praying, we walked to the nearest building and began knocking doors. Within a few doors, we found a man who had told us he had been looking for knowledge about God and wanted us to come back and teach him. My companion and I knew it was a result of our change of attitude and prayer. (Travis)
- Teaching a nice lady who told us all the time ” I feel that I’m ready, but something is stopping me. ” We were working with her for ages, so one of those nights, I told my companion, ” we have to pray and fast for her, she will be baptized.” So we did. We took the Scriptures with us with a special one for her. After reading it together, I asked again to her “Okay now. Are you ready to do all this?” “Listen to your heart, and pray, pray for it.” She got baptized…got my transfer 2 weeks before grrrrr, but my work there was done and she went to the water with a very, very happy face. (Antonia)
- Gaining my testimony of the first vision while teaching with Elder Weirman in Valencia. (Gilbert)
- Every baptism. (Brian)
- I prayed one day that we could find a family, we found a family of 5 and they were baptized. (Chase)
- In my first month, we were introduced to an engaged couple, Benito and Isabel, who were friends of some members, and we taught them and they were baptized in the Mediterranean. A few months later they were married. Soon after that, Benito was ordained. About 10 1/2 months after they were baptized, I was serving in another city up the coast. The members in the Alicante and Valencia Districts were taking a charter bus on a Temple trip to Germany. We were at the chapel helping the members in Valencia board the bus, and Benito and Isabel ran off of the bus to greet me. They had gotten special permission to go to the Temple to take out their endowments and be sealed before the normal 12 month post-baptism waiting period was over because of the timing of the Temple trip. The following spring, as I was preparing to go home, I called them to say goodbye, and found out that they had just had a baby earlier that week. So, during the 22 months that I was in the country, they were baptized, married civilly, he was ordained to the priesthood, they went to the Temple for their endowments and to be sealed, and had their first child born in the Covenant. (Mark)
- Singing primary songs to a little girl and her family on a bus in Andorra- it was such a special, sweet spirit and you could tell she felt important. Her parents loved seeing how happy it made her. (Michele)
- Bearing testimony of the Joseph Smith’s experiences in the Sacred Grove to an investigator preparing for baptism. There were no words, only amazing feelings that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored. (Emily)
- Knocking on the door of a man who we found in the area book just to have him open the door, see our tags, and start to cry saying he got off his knees to answer the door: he had been fasting and praying that he could have contact with that church he had been introduced to years earlier. He was baptized of course and is one of the most faithful people I know. (Mandi)
- Street contact of a pack of kids (you’ll know what I mean when you get there) – I had been out about three months. I heard an instruction to talk to one of the girls. None of the others cared but in the later discussions she revealed that she had been “begging the Lord to find truth” she knew when we approached that we had the answers she was looking for. Three months later I attended her baptism. After many tests of faith and commitment she found what she so desperately wanted. (David)
- Testifying of gospel truths anywhere anyone would stop and sincerely listen. (Mark)
- Everyday in the Spain Barcelona Mission is a spiritual experience! (Laken)
- Being able to go to the Madrid Temple Dedication with the members. (Kelly)
- We knocked a door of a home where a child was bed ridden and extremely sick. After sharing the gospel, we offered to give the child a blessing. They agreed and we gave him a blessing. The next day we returned and the boy was jumping around and exuberant. He had been healed. (Brian)
- Each time someone committed to baptism, when I knew they would have to sacrifice close relationships who were opposed to their conversion. (Jennifer)
- There were so many. The one that stands out the most is the very first time that I shared the first vision in Spanish and then testified of it. I was brand new and had 3 weeks less Spanish training than everyone else, which is a different story, and it was all I knew how to do. The Spirit was so strong and I knew that the gift of tongues was real. (Charity)
- I had only been in country for a few weeks when we were getting an investigator ready to be baptized. She had been taught by the stake missionary ladies and my companion, the district leader, just needed to finish up and do the baptismal interview. She was a minor and needed written permission from her father. Her father was bitter because his wife had passed away and didn’t want anything to do with religion. He had given verbal permission, but we needed a note. We were talking to him trying to figure out what we needed to do to help him understand how important his support was to his daughter. Like I said before, I had only been in country for a few weeks, if that, and my Spanish was still in its infancy, but I spoke up and asked him if he would like to know how he could know that it was the right thing to do. He said that he did, and I suggested that we have a prayer circle and ask for him to feel the Spirit. We invited him to join us. We asked him if he would offer the first prayer, and he asked that he be the last to pray. So we started and each of us prayed asking that the Spirit be with us, with him and his family for them to feel peace and to know that this was the right decision. The Spirit was really strong there, and there was a great peace in the room. He declined to offer his prayer and we left with our blessing. The next morning the girl showed up to the chapel with a note signed by her father. Were were all over joyed. She asked me to baptize her. Before I left the mission her father and brother had been baptized and her father was the branch president of Reus. (David)
What are some interesting facts about the Barcelona Mission?
- When they say you can baptize the world, you truly can. There are people from all over the place! I taught people from Honduras, Peru, Argentina, Venezuela, Africa, Ukraine, DR, and so much more! There are a lot of languages spoken in the Barcelona mission. Mainly Spanish, but Catalan and Basque are both largely spoken as well. I think there is another language spoken in the south, but I never served down there, so I’m not sure. (Jeska)
- The numbers of missionaries were reduced by 50% making some areas close (removing missionaries). The dollar was so strong making it easier make it thru each month economically. (Rickey)
- The Spain Barcelona Mission takes in both Spain and Andora and offers the opportunity to experience different cultures depending on the area you are in. Catalan is spoken in certain areas along with many cultures speaking French, Portuguese, Romanian, and other languages. There is a ton of history that is seen wherever you are and is expressed often in the festivals. (Travis)
- Everything about celebrating Christmas in Catalunya. You will know what I’m talking about. The Barcelona mission has a variety of ecosystems. I got to experience Mediterranean island life, large cities, and a county that was basically one big ski resort (Andorra). (Brett)
- My freedom, even when there were rules to follow, I was free. I was strong in my decisions, and the power that I felt when I was teaching and testifying about my Savior. That was priceless. Something that really made mad was the mission song. It was in English. MY GOODNESS !!!!! We were in SPAIN !!!!! Where the elders and sisters have to learn the language to teach. I mean C’MON !!!! Fortunately, that Presidente went home, because his wife told the sisters to wear pantyhose in August in SPAIN !!!!! REALLY !!!!! WE DON ‘T DO THAT HERE !!!! IT IS SUMMER !!!!! (Antonia)
- My mother traced our lineage to Castill Leon, just north of Valencia. The family names were Castill and Leon. Served in that area for one day. (Gilbert)
- The Spain Barcelona mission is the best mission in the world and the most obedient. (Chase)
- The 1992 Summer Olympics were held in Barcelona while I was there. The Barcelona Mission includes the tiny country of Andorra. Barcelona is in Cataluña, an area of Spain where they speak both Castilian Spanish and a separate Latin based language called Cátalan. (Mark)
- Art by Gaudi; Catalonia is trying to separate itself from the rest of Spain and become an independent nation; it’s on the Mediteranean coast and has a ton of history. (Michele)
- Baptizing in Europe! I don’t know if it’s a fact, but it has to be one of the most diverse places to serve. I met people from 70+ countries. (Emily)
- Was the second highest baptizing mission in Europe while I was there. Lots of tourists and people who left their country looking for work: presented trouble finding people to teach and retain. (Mandi)
- Spain has a rich history- learn (David)
- The piso on calle Mas in L’Hospitalet was just over 1km from Camp Nou (you could hear when they scored). The king & queen have a summer palace on Mallorca. I knocked on the door. No one was home. (Mark)
- We are obedient, and we baptize. (Laken)
- The smaller towns shut down mid day due to the Siesta. Most bigger cities don’t anymore. Deeply rich history in every town. So much to do and see on preparation day! (Kelly)
- Our mission president was serving a mission with his wife and then called from that service to be the mission president. (Jennifer)
- We are the El Faro mission, which means the lighthouse. We were, at the time, the highest baptizing mission in Europe because our mission president taught us that if we were obedient with exactness, we would be blessed. And we were. (Charity)
- It was one of the lowest baptizing missions when I was there, but just a few years later it became one of the highest baptizing missions in Europe. I had only a few companions for more than one month at a time. I had one companion twice. (David)
What was the weather like?
- Each area is different, but it could get very wet and pretty cold up north. Weather in Barcelona itself is more mild, not getting as cold, but it is hot and humid. (Kaitlyn)
- The weather is cold in the winter and warm in the summer. Depending on where you are, it can be really humid. The Baleares Islands are humid. In the north area, it gets very cold during the winter. (Jeska)
- I was always cold in the fall, winter and spring, even when inside. (Rickey)
- The weather was hot in the summer and cold in the winter, just like many other places in the states. I experienced lots of snow in Andora and many hot days in Castellon. (Travis)
- I was mostly in Catalunya, and I found that the temperature range was pretty similar to the climate in the mountain west, mid west, or northern coastal regions of the US. (Brett)
- We enjoyed the four seasons. I’m from the south, about two blocks from the beach… no snow whatsoever. It was frozen in Pamplona…snow everywhere, but tremendously beautiful at the same time. For the rest of it? The weather was basically the same for me as it was at home. (Antonia)
- Great, loved the rain storms. Winter was like home. (Gilbert)
- Highest baptizing mission is Barcelona. (Brian)
- Humid during the summer and cold winds in the winter. (Chase)
- Hot in the summer and cold in the winter. (Mark)
- Gorgeous. Humid in the summer but wasn’t that bad in winter. (Michele)
- Hot, humid summers; mild winters except for the northern part of the country. (Emily)
- Hot and humid, humid cold in the winter. (Mandi)
- Hot humid, colder than I have ever been (David)
- Sunny & beautiful most of the time. Nice and warm in the summer. (Mark)
- Very humid! Hot. Cold. 🙂 (Laken)
- Hot in the summer, cold and wet in the winter. Since most places don’t have carpet, it stays cold inside as well. It’s hard to warm up once you’re cold. (Kelly)
- Mostly warm, somewhat rainy in the winter. (Brian)
- It was very mild temperature wise. Rain was the most severe weather we experienced. At Christmas time we just wore sweaters and it worked just fine. Summers were warm and humid. (Jennifer)
- Humid. All the time. Frigid winters and scorching summers. (Charity)
- It rained a lot. In Vitoria it usually rained every morning. (David)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- In the northern country, the Bask country, people are more reserved initially. But their love is deeper. They are some of the most loyal people you will ever meet. (Kaitlyn)
- I loved all the cultures! There are people from everywhere. (Jeska)
- Loved the people and places I was able to see. I was able to see the extreme 3 corners of the mission (Santander, Girona and Lorca). (Rickey)
- The people are friendly as you get to know them and can be instrumental when utilized. I enjoyed getting to know people from all different backgrounds. (Travis)
- I loved seeing how the church works the same in very different cultural settings. Spaniards are bright, confident people. They are fun to speak with, I also loved how diverse the wards are and that there are people from all over the place, and I feel like it really opened my eyes. (Brett)
- EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!! really everything. (Antonia)
- Everything. (Kendrick)
- Every single aspect of the culture, and the people. (Gilbert)
- They were sincere, and always told it like it was. (Brian)
- The diversity in the culture. I taught Spaniards, South Americans, Africans and people from other parts of Europe. (Chase)
- They have a very rich cultural heritage. (Mark)
- They’re super friendly (except when talking about religion), I love the pride they have for their culture and who they are, and they will embrace you if you embrace their accent and who they are as Spaniards. (Michele)
- The language, the slow pace of everything, the willingness of people to listen if you’re in tune with the spirit and can show you care about them. (Emily)
- Life was slower for them. I admired that, although initially it was a trial. I came to love the food, culture and tone of Spain. (Mandi)
- Their faith and courage to change from tradition. (David)
- They are like New Yorkers (where I grew up), but more friendly to foreigners. Great people. (Mark)
- Incredibly rich history in every town, tons of cool castles everywhere. People are nice and friendly, until you start talking religion, then they harden up. (Kelly)
- The people are so diverse. (Brian)
- The people were extremely open and friendly. They were almost always willing to talk and even invite you in to their home, even if they didn’t want to learn about The Church. Once confidence was gained, they became just like family. (Jennifer)
- I loved absolutely everything! The diversity, the history, the architecture, the food, the music, the people! The people are some of the kindest I have ever known. (Charity)
- The people were great and very helpful to us when they found out that we were from the US and wanted to get to know them and their culture. I loved the people and was grateful to serve them. (David)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Have a good jacket, but get your umbrella in Spain. Good shoes with support make a huge difference. For sisters, there are a lot of shoes a Clark’s that are really cute. (Kaitlyn)
- Plan for all weather. You will definitely get all 4 seasons there. I was in the north during the spring and it rains a lot there during the spring. I bought a pair of galoshes. Best thing during that time! (Jeska)
- Find a Lavandaria. It’s easier than trying to wash by hand or using some almost broken washing machine that puts holes in your clothes. It’s a laundry service and it’s not that expensive (at least it wasn’t for my time there). Don’t be confused with Lavado en Seco (which is dry cleaning which you may need for suits, but not for everything else). Mesh garments are better than cotton. Easier to maintain and clean (by hand if needed). Keep your suit in good repair and clean. I saw so many Elders who had torn up jacket liners and just too dirty because they didn’t think they knew how to get dry cleaning done. (Rickey)
- It can get hot in the summer so a good deodorant is essential. It gets cold in the winter so a scarf and jacket are necessary. Good shoes that are comfortable are a must since you will be walking for a good 7 hours a day on average. (Travis)
- Dry clean or wash your suits/skirts more often than you want to. They get gross, and people can tell. (Brett)
- The less and the necessary, the best. Roll it, you will have more room, and send home whatever it is that you won’t need. (Antonia)
- Really durable and comfy shoes with thick socks. (Brian)
- Pack like your serving in Southern California. (Chase)
- I over packed. I only used my nice suits for Sunday’s and baptisms. The rest of the time, I just wore dark wrinkle free slacks without a suit coat in the summer, and a sweater underneath a top coat/trench coat in the winter. (Mark)
- You need a coat in the winter but not a heavy one, and in summer it’s humid and hot so plan accordingly :). (Michele)
- Light fabrics, bright colors and patterns (sisters frequently were mistaken for nuns in my mission). Don’t get the thick fabrics for garments, either. You’ll just itch and sweat all day. (Emily)
- Thin cotton clothes for the summer, warm layers for the winter. Honestly, if you aren’t a real special case (ie 6’7″) just buy most stuff there. I felt it was more efficient. I didn’t know what to buy at home and bought some stuff I just didn’t need. (Mandi)
- More short sleeve shirts- summertime you may wear 2 per day extra garment tops too. If ok with the mission slacks for the summer too as wool blends get too hot in the blazing sun and humidity. (David)
- Short sleeve shirts for the summer & breathable pants. Decent overcoat for the winter. The humid cold goes right through to the bones! (Mark)
- Light clothing. The less layering that you have to do, the better. (Laken)
- Hot in the summer, cold and wet in the winter. A lot of walking, so have good walking church shoes. (Kelly)
- If I had had the option, I would have brought more clothing that was water wicking. I don’t know what the rules are now, but I brought pantyhose and never wore them. Tights and boots were good for colder weather. Spaniards have a great sense of style, so I enjoyed buying clothes and shoes when I got there. (Jennifer)
- Pack for both extremes…heavy jacket and also light dresses. (Charity)
- Take good shoes. I wore out two pairs of Redwing shoes. I walked so much that I got tendinitis in both heels. It gets really cold in the winter, and when I was there they hadn’t discovered insulation for their buildings. So, it was almost as cold inside the buildings as it was outside. The buildings are built more to battle the heat. The streets are designed so that there is always shade somewhere. So, be prepared for hot, humid summers and cold, humid winters. (David)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- The Lord watched over my family and took care of them while I was gone. I learned a lot about myself, and He helped me get so much stronger in the difficult times. I gained some incredible friends. (Kaitlyn)
- Since my mission I have married a fantastic man and we have a beautiful baby. My husband and I have used things that we each learned on our missions to continue to make our marriage stronger. Also, I have used my Spanish numerous times in my jobs. (Jeska)
- I met some great friends and even met, on my mission, the person who eventually became my spouse. (Rickey)
- I felt like it reaffirmed what my parents had taught me about hard work and proved to create the worker I am today. It taught me to get along with many different personalities and go out of my way to get to know many people. I have married in the temple and believe my mission provided me with a testimony to carry on in the gospel with a purpose. (Travis)
- A stronger testimony of the restored gospel. A library of spiritual experiences to draw from. Friendships. (Brett)
- Knowledge, self confidence, and the opportunity of getting to know people that will be part of your life forever. (Antonia)
- A worthy Mission President, President Tenny, that had the Spirit confirm to him that I needed to go home for my medical issues, and that it saved my life. (Gilbert)
- Language, a love of diversity, and everything I have experienced since then. (Brian)
- My family came back to church and some were sealed in the temple after being inactive for years. (Chase)
- A firm testimony of the Restored Gospel. A useful second language. (Mark)
- Well I married one of my Zone Leaders…so that’s been the biggest blessing 🙂 (Michele)
- Still seeing that develop in my life – stay tuned! (Emily)
- It has changed my life entirely. I gained a lot of confidence in myself, I’m much more relaxed talking to new people, I have greater knowledge of the Gospel and firmer testimony, and the life experiences are irreplaceable. (Mandi)
- An unshakable testimony of the mission of Jesus Christ, Book of Mormon, restoration and God’s infinite understanding and love for us. Love for others. (David)
- The gift of tongues. Being converted myself. Watching others be converted. The blessing of making new friends and life long family. (Laken)
- I have an incredibly beautiful wife and three amazing kids who make righteous choices and are strong in the Gospel. I have an amazing job as a Spanish teacher at an amazing school near by. We live in an incredible town with an outstanding ward. (Kelly)
- By teaching the gospel in a very simple and concise way, it helped to me to understand the principles and teachings much better myself. I’m not intimidated to accept callings because I know the Lord will qualify whoever He calls to serve. My mission helped me to understand better, promptings from the Holy Ghost. (Jennifer)
- I was able to have my family reap the rewards from my serving. They were on hard times, but they made it through and we were blessed. I continue to be blessed to this day. I still speak a second language and I am able to teach my children that language and about my experiences so that they may learn as well. (Charity)
- I learned a lot there. It was the single most important educational experience of my life. It broke up a lot of my preconceived notions about the world and people. I saw that we all have the same problems and have different solutions to them. I learned to trust the Spirit and accept other people’s differences are just as important and valid as mine. I was given the wonderful opportunity of seeing the United States from the outside. (David)
What are some skills you gained?
- I learned how to manage my time so much better, and how to work hard even when I am tired. I learned how to find the good things every day, and focus on the good. I learned how to really study the scriptures. (Kaitlyn)
- Spanish! That’s a big one! I also learned how to get out of my comfort zone. It’s not always easy to talk to complete strangers. I learned how to work with a companion long term. (Jeska)
- Language, leadership, patience. (Rickey)
- Speaking Spanish well enough to hold a conversation with people even outside of religious conversation. It has proved to be useful in jobs and interpreting for others. Communication skills with random people. (Travis)
- How to lead. Some salesmanship (applicable in EVERY job. Not just sales jobs.) How to teach by the spirit. Linguistics. Organizing and advertising community events. (Brett)
- Pfff, I made a Christmas center piece. Hehehehehehehe, but I think that compassion was the most important. (Antonia)
- Dealing with rejection. (Kendrick)
- Fluency in the language, love for the people. (Gilbert)
- Language fluency, management skills, ability to deal with uncertainty. (Brian)
- Cooking and speaking Spanish. (Chase)
- People skills. Second language. (Mark)
- I love speaking Spanish, I feel more confident because I spoke to people and got out of my shell. (Michele)
- How to listen to people and empathize, how to motivate people to live the gospel without guilt, nagging, or other negative means. (Emily)
- People and planning skills for sure. (Mandi)
- Spanish. I already was a hard worker, but learned to work even harder for the Lord. And did I mention Spanish- it has blessed me Every Day. (David)
- Spanish, interpersonal communication, fearlessness, boldness. (Mark)
- Relationship building, communication, confidence, organizational skills. (Kelly)
- How to listen to the Spirit. Cooking, Spanish-speaking, patience, persuasion and negotiation. (Brian)
- Speaking Spanish. Reading subway maps sand using the subway system. Feeling comfortable with people from other cultures. Getting along with people who are different from myself. (Jennifer)
- Communication, Spanish, endurance, sacrificing one’s self for the mission, loving people, humility. (Charity)
- I learned Spanish and Catalan. I found a great interest in languages, linguistics and culture. It started me on a path that would blossom into a career in translation and interpreting, which took me to Central America with the Army. I also spent a few years as a Spanish and ESL teacher. It gave me great insight into the value of other people’s cultures. It led to a BA in Spanish with a minor in anthropology and another in Basque. My mission was the most significant contribution to my college education. I learned how to study. I learned how to learn languages. (David)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- I wish I had come into the mission with memorized scriptures, and I wish I had read through Preach My Gospel completely. I also wish I had really prayed and asked if Joseph Smith was a prophet before starting the mission. (Kaitlyn)
- Just talk! Even if you don’t know the language well. You are there for a reason. I have heard quite a few conversion stories about someone being touched by a missionary who shared a testimony and didn’t speak eloquently. They made a lot of mistakes in speaking, but the spirit they are able to share is so strong! (Jeska)
- More about the gospel and more about what actually missionaries do daily. (Rickey)
- I wish I knew how to approach people better. (Travis)
- Teaching is about having empathy for your students. When you plan your lessons, think to yourself: “will someone who has never heard any of this before understand anything I’m saying?” Don’t assume they totally grasp words like “atonement,” or even “prophets.” Sometimes my wife and I will have missionaries over to our homes and they’ll practice teaching lessons. It is very clear which missionaries have empathy for their students, and which ones are just going through the bullet points. (Brett)
- Hehehe…the lessons to teach. It took me like the whole month to memorize everything but that was the goal to get ready in a month, and I did. (Antonia)
- How to love the people sooner. To do more things on preparation day so as to see more of the country, and the beauties of Spain/Barcelona. (Gilbert)
- How many lows a mission brings, that it isn’t all “called to serve” singing enrichment. It can really be a down experience sometimes. (Brian)
- That obedience is the most important thing. (Chase)
- Packed lighter. Attitude is everything. (Mark)
- Be patient and loving with yourself and other people. Especially companions. (Michele)
- I wish I’d studied more going into the field. The Book Of Mormon became a huge point of reference for me, so if I’d known it better going in, I would’ve been better prepared for that significant impact on me as a missionary. (Emily)
- I wish I had a head start on the language. (Mandi)
- More Spanish. Knowing how to testify effectively. (David)
- A few words of Catalan go a long way when you are in a small Catalonian village. (Mark)
- The main mode of transportation for missionaries: I wasn’t expecting a lot of walking but that’s all we did! For the first few months of my mission, I was battling blisters and a sore back because I wasn’t fully prepared. (Kelly)
- I wish I had been more familiar with the scriptures and had more scriptures memorized. I wish we had had Preach My Gospel to work from. (Jennifer)
- I wish I knew more about the scriptures. I wasn’t very knowledgeable going in and it was to my detriment. (Charity)
- I wish that I had had a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish history before I went over, but that wasn’t to be. When I was there I was the only missionary that I knew of who had read the Old Testament. That turned out to be invaluable. I wish that I had known more about the part the Iberian Peninsula plays in the scattered tribes of Israel. I wish that I had known more about the ministry of Saint James in Spain. I wish that I had known more about the history and several languages and cultures in Spain. But I was barely 19 and my favorite parts of the scriptures were the scary ones. I grew up a lot on my mission. (David)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Barcelona?
- Don’t be afraid of silence. It is easier to be 100% obedient that 99% obedient. Don’t be afraid to make promises. Sometimes it will feel like you can’t do it, and you will be right. But the Lord can, and He will do it through you. Rely on Him. (Kaitlyn)
- Get ready to serve in the best mission in the world! Watching people in their conversion is the best thing! I truly believe that I learned more than I ever could have on my mission. I know that this work truly is the work of God. (Jeska)
- Be ready to speak about the Gospel. (Rickey)
- Relax and have fun. Follow the rules and blessings will come. Leave your previous ways behind and get lost in the service. (Travis)
- The Lord is trying to teach you lessons every day. Figure out what they are, and then write about them when you get home at night. Your companion is all you have out there sometimes. Make that companionship as good as it can possibly be. Love your companion–that makes a mission so much more fun. Yes, it’s hard to mesh two personalities (Knowing that the godhead is one in purpose has special meaning to me now). Very often, when things don’t seem great in your companionship, your own pride is the culprit. (Brett)
- Be strong, don’t look back, this is your time now, the time that the Lord considers that you’re ready to bring those souls to Him. Be obedient and humble, and He will be on your side 24/7. Be happy, love your companions. Nobody’s perfect. And study, study daily, be prepared for any question or situation. Pray a lot for you, for your companion, for your family, for your investigators. Eat well, take care of your self. And testify, do it as much as you can. You’ll see how the power of God works. (Antonia)
- Just get excited. Take the time to learn the language and get to know and enjoy the people. With almost 10 years of hindsight and talking with 100s of other Returned Missionaries from other missions, I can say without a doubt that the Spain Barcelona Mission provides the best mission experience possible. The culture of the mission is one of obedience and hard work. (Kendrick)
- Trust the lord, and listen to the Spirit, and work hard. Enjoy it to the fullest. (Gilbert)
- Learn to love people you can’t stand now. (Brian)
- Work as hard as you can! (Chase)
- Chapter 32 of Alma talks about the seed of faith. Later in the chapter, it says that your faith will become dormant because it will turn into knowledge. Trust in your faith, because even if you can’t yet comfortably say that “you know” (because your faith has turned to knowledge) it will as you serve as a missionary. (Mark)
- Yay!!! Good luck, don’t lose faith and follow the spirit. Be obedient and the Lord will bless you. Maybe not in the ways you expect it, but being obedient will bless you for the rest of your life. (Michele)
- Write down everything from every day – where you lived, where you ate, who you ate with, who you talked to, how it felt, how you saw miracles – everything is worthy of writing in your journal from the mundane to the transcendent. (Emily)
- The Best mission in the world. Love the people and your companion. (Mandi)
- Read the Book of Mormon. Serve others starting now. (David)
- Love what you do, ignore rejection, be diligent, have fun! (Mark)
- Two years goes by so incredibly fast! Don’t have any regrets and be totally obedient. There are some things that I wish I did different but now I look back on them all the time and wish I could change. (Kelly)
- I was frequently shut down, by people telling me that I could not possibly understand their challenges or help them because I was from America which was a wealthy country. I often felt a little guilty by that, and didn’t know how to respond. I realize now, that the help that I was there to offer was not my own it was from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I was merely a mouthpiece. (Jennifer)
- Study the scriptures, learn them, know them, love them. Love the people. Be obedient. Pray always. Love the Lord and the work. (Charity)
- Read and know the Bible. You will want to work with people on their familiar ground. The Old Testament is as important to them as the New Testament. Don’t go if you are not sure that you want to. There are three kinds of missionaries: those who go to serve their time, those who go to serve their mission, and those who go to serve the Lord and the people. Those who serve their time are there to punch their ticket and get their family and friends to stop nagging them to go on a mission. Those who go to serve their mission are all about the celebrity of being missionaries. And those who go to serve the Lord and the people love the people. The people can tell when missionaries are sincere and have their interest in mind. Love the people and respect their decisions. Never get angry with them when they decide not to get baptized. Leave them with the love of the Lord. Missionaries are angels and need to act like them. Learn how to memorize. Learn to take notes. Take every opportunity to participate in local activities within reason. Never turn down the opportunity to play with the kids. Taste everything. Make friends. Make lifelong friends. You are there to make friends. (David)
What was a funny language mistake?
- See the funny story above! (Kaitlyn)
- I can’t think of anything in specific. I have heard of sister missionaries trying to tell people they are embarrassed to give a talk or speak and they use the word “embarazada” which means pregnant. So saying “the bishop embarrassed me” can be an interesting thing to say. (Jeska)
- I was giving a talk in sacrament one Sunday in my 2nd area and I was talking about a man I worked with prior to the mission who spoke profanity around me and I said his words hurt my ears in Spanish but when translated directly it seemed like I was saying the words literally hurt my ears physically. The congregation thought it was funny. (Travis)
- I thought a member had told me that her nephew had a baptism coming up. I said “that’s wonderful, Congratulations!!!” It got silent, and she had this strained smile. She said: “No, they have AUTISM.” (Brett)
- The normal ones when you learn another language. (Antonia)
- There are some words in Spanish that have a completely benign, regular meaning in one country, but that have a completely different, even offensive meaning in a different Spanish speaking country. It would be best not to mention specific examples…! (Mark)
- I always said I’m embarazada when I was embarrassed. Yes embarazada was pregnant and I definitely was not pregnant on the mission. 😊 Make sure you don’t say that. 😉 (Michele)
- I accidentally said the a bad word my first week in the field at a member’s house. My zone leader gently corrected my Spanish. (Emily)
- I tried to say that if my companion were an animal she would be a dog and it came out as me referring to her as a curse word. :/. (Mandi)
- We put our monkeys pun your head… Said “with I” to a member… Never say with I always conmigo- always! (David)
- When an investigator (female) told me and a fresh new missionary that she was “constipada,” the fresh new missionary got a horrified look on his face. I explained that “constipada” means “stuffy nose.” With a big grin on his face he said, “Oh! Ahora entiendo! En ingles, ‘constipado’ quiere decir que no puedes tomar una crapa!” This is a 100% accurate quote! I still nearly fall over laughing whenever I recount that story. (Mark)
- It’s not a funny story but some advice: don’t be afraid to speak the language. You’ll never speak perfectly and a lot of missionaries are afraid to speak because they might make mistakes and get made fun of. Just do it and you’ll get better and will have a better experience. (Kelly)
- One of the sister missionaries in our mission tried to say she was embarrassed and said embarazada, which means pregnant. (Jennifer)
- I got to Badalona and couldn’t understand a word! This isn’t the Castillian Spanish they taught in the MTC! Then I found out they were speaking Catalan! (Beth)
- During the first week of my mission I told a kid that my brother was diecicuatro instead of catorce. I heard a story of an Elder, who was quite sure of himself, ordering a “bocadillo de hueso” (a bone sandwich). What he thought he was ordering was a cheese sandwich. (David)