Valério comes from a multiracial, immigrant family with a Japanese father and an Italian mother. He and his family were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was a young. This caused some rifts within his extended family for awhile. For his parents, joining the church came with challenges to adhere to the Word of Wisdom, especially with drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes.
To this day, Valério loves the church’s emphasis on family and gospel learning. As a youth, seminary was a positive influence in his life and he believes it has helped Brazilian youth to understand scripture and train to one day become leaders. He served a mission in Lisbon, Portugal and felt that it was an important experience for him, teaching him about God, obedience, and humility. He also remembered that the church’s priesthood and temple ban affected the work he was able to do on his mission.
Valério is married with several children and works as a franchising consultant. He has served in the church as a teacher, Stake President, Bishop, and Mission President (Rio de Janeiro). He has also served in callings at the São Paulo Missionary Training Center on three different occasions. He currently serves as a stake patriarch.
