The History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil

• 1913 • Brazil

German immigrants Max and Amalie Zapf become the first members of the Church in Brazil.

• December 25, 1925 • Buenos Aires, Argentina
Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicates South America for the preaching of the gospel.
• 1920s • Brazil
Many Germans, including several Church members, immigrate to Brazil in search of better opportunities.
• 1927 • Brazil
Auguste Lippelt and others write letters to Church leaders asking that Church materials and missionaries be sent to Brazil.
• December 1927 • Joinville, Brazil
Reinhold Stoof, president of the South American Mission, visits Brazil to explore the possibility of sending missionaries.
• September 17, 1928 • Joinville, Brazil
William Fred Heinz and Emil A. J. Schindler arrive in Joinville and begin teaching the gospel to German-speaking Brazilians.
• April 14, 1929 • Joinville
Bertha Sell and her children, Theodor, Alice, Siegfried, and Adele, are baptized. They become the first converts in Brazil.
• July 6, 1930 • Joinville
The first branch in Brazil is organized in Joinville, with missionary David J. Ballestaedt as president.
• October 25, 1931 • Joinville
The first Church-owned meetinghouse in Brazil is dedicated in Joinville.
• October 11, 1933 • Joinville
The first Relief Society in Brazil is established in Joinville, with Toni Barsch as president.
• May 25, 1935 • São Paulo, Brazil
The Brazilian Mission is organized in São Paulo, with Rulon S. Howells as mission president. The primary language of the mission is German.
• July 14, 1935 • São Paulo
The first district in Brazil is organized in São Paulo, with Emil A. J. Schindler as president.
• 1938 • Brazil
The pamphlet Joseph Smith — History is translated into Portuguese. This is the first official publication of the Church in Portuguese.
• 1939 • Brazil
Portuguese becomes the official language of the Brazilian Mission.
• 1939 • Brazil
At the beginning of World War II, the Church closes all European missions and more missionaries are called to serve in Brazil.
• March 1940 • São Paulo
The Book of Mormon is published in Portuguese.
• May 1940 • São Paulo
The first Portuguese-language district is established in Brazil, with Melvin Morris as president.
• 1943 • São Paulo and Campinas, Brazil
Local members are called to lead branches in São Paulo and Campinas.
• November 1943 • Brazil
As Brazil and the United States enter World War II, all American missionaries are removed from Brazil.
• 1946 • Campinas
Alfredo Lima Vaz is called as a missionary. He is the first native Brazilian to serve as a full-time missionary.
• January 1948 • Brazil
The first issue of A Gaivota (the Seagull), the Church's first Portuguese-language periodical in Brazil, is published.
• 1954 • Brazil
During President David O. McKay's first visit, he authorizes an expansion program to build meetinghouses throughout the country.
• May 1966 • São Paulo
The first stake in South America is organized in São Paulo, Brazil, with Walter Spät as president.
• 1971 • Brazil
The seminary and institute program is organized in Brazil.
• March 1, 1975 • Buenos Aires
During an area conference in Buenos Aires, President Spencer W. Kimball announces the first temple in South America to be built in São Paulo.
• 1978 • São Paulo
The Brazil Missionary Training Center, the first outside the United States, is established in São Paulo.
• June 8, 1978 • Salt Lake City, Utah
President Spencer W. Kimball announces the revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy male members of the Church.
• October 30, 1978 • São Paulo
Spencer W. Kimball dedicates the São Paulo Brazil Temple, the first in South America.
• 1979 • São Paulo
José B. and Diva Euzébia Puerta, the first temple president and matron of Brazil, are called to preside over the São Paulo Brazil Temple.
• February 22–26, 1983 • São Paulo
Latter-day Saint artists from Brazil participate in an exhibit at the Prestes Maia Gallery in São Paulo.
• April 6, 1985 • Salt Lake City
Hélio da Rocha Camargo is called as a General Authority Seventy. He is the first General Authority from Brazil.