2023
San José, Costa Rica
December 2023


“San José, Costa Rica,” Liahona, December 2023.

The Church Is Here

San José, Costa Rica

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map with circle around Costa Rica
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city of San José in Costa Rica

The national capital of Costa Rica, San José, is in the Central Valley, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. The first missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in Costa Rica in 1946. Today, the Church in Costa Rica has:

  • 52,000 members (approximately)

  • 10 stakes, 78 wards and branches, 2 missions

  • 1 temple in San José

Creative Gospel Learning

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family reading together

In Heredia, north of San José, Jeremy and Estefania Brandaris and their son study the gospel as a family. “Our son is very active, so he’s easily distracted,” Estefania says. “Pictures, videos, repeating phrases, and playing games help him learn. Now his favorite word is Jesus.”

More about the Church in Costa Rica

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family looking at phone

A mother and father in Costa Rica use digital resources from the Church to teach their daughters.

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Elder and Sister Renlund greeting people

Elder Dale G. Renlund and his wife, Ruth, visit with representatives from many religions at an international religious freedom symposium in Costa Rica in 2017.

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youth Sunday School class

Like Latter-day Saints all over the world, youth in Costa Rica find friendship and spiritual strength from attending Sunday School classes together.

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people in a Church meeting

Listening to talks and inspired guidance in Church meetings also helps Latter-day Saints in Costa Rica stay close to Jesus Christ.

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Elder Soares greeting political leader in Costa Rica

During a visit to Costa Rica in 2020, Elder Ulisses Soares shakes hands with the president of the country’s legislative assembly.

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family walking together

A family in Costa Rica walks home together after attending church.

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family in front of a temple

A family visits the San José Costa Rica Temple.