President Dallin H. Oaks selected Brazil for his first international visit as Church president, dedicating the Ribeirão Preto temple and meeting with local Latter-day Saints. LDS Living reports that the choice reflects Brazil's status as the Church's third-largest national membership, with more than 1.5 million members, and its historical significance to the faith's international growth.

Brazil has been central to the Church's expansion outside the United States since the 1930s and now hosts more than a dozen temples. Oaks' visit follows a pattern of new Church presidents choosing countries with large, established Latter-day Saint populations for their inaugural international trips.