| Missionary Training Center | |
|---|---|
 The Provo Missionary Training Center | |
| Built | 1978 |
| Buildings | 19 |
| Area | 39 acres |
| Address | 2005 North 900 East Provo, Utah, United States |
| Owner(s) | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
Missionary Training Centers (MTC) are centers devoted to training missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The flagship MTC is located in Provo, Utah, adjacent to the campus of Brigham Young University (BYU), a private university owned and operated by the church.
At the beginning of their service, missionaries usually spend 3 to 9[1] weeks at an MTC where they receive training in doctrine, conduct, proselytizing methods, and, when required, a new language. As of July 2023, in addition to Provo, there are 9 MTCs throughout the world,[2] in Brazil, England, Ghana, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, and South Africa. Missionaries serve in 150 countries teaching in 60 different languages around the world.[3]
New missionaries assigned to the Provo MTC arrive Monday–Wednesday (couple missionaries on Monday, international arrivals on Tuesday, U.S. and Canada on Wednesday), at which point they begin using their titles of "Elder" (men) and "Sister" (women). They are assigned companions and organized into districts and branches. During their training, the elders and sisters will spend the majority of their time in class, with breaks for meals, church services, temple attendance, fitness activities, service projects, and personal preparation time (for laundry, letter writing, etc.).
Missionaries have historically been given at least three weeks of training in proselytizing methods. This includes lessons on church doctrine and teaching, mission rules, and proper interactions with the people they will serve, teach, and work with in their assigned missions. Missionaries are also encouraged to use their time outside class to actively study church scriptures and doctrine, and a language if necessary. Missionaries study and learn from a manual called “Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ" which is a 2023 second edition to the original “Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Work” originally published in 2004. The new edition includes information about using technology, social media, and teaching online.[3] It also emphasizes Jesus Christ more and provides more clarity about covenants and his doctrine.[4]
In many cases, missionaries who already speak the language of their assigned area are sent to their mission after three weeks. Other missionaries may spend as many as nine additional weeks in language training. The MTC language programs encourage a full immersion experience with the motto "SYL," for "Speak Your Language." In some cases, missionaries learning foreign languages go directly to the MTC in the country where they are called to serve. This depends on the capacity of the MTC in the area.
Each MTC is directed by a mission president, just like each of the 400+[5] missions worldwide. Classes in the MTC are typically taught by returned (former) missionaries. The missionaries are also assigned to small congregations called branches, which are led by local church members called to serve in the MTC.
- ^ "Missionary Training Centers". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2014-07-11. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
- ^ Walch, Tad (March 22, 2020). "Coronavirus: Missionaries in 10 missionary training centers will soon leave for mission field or return home to self isolate". Deseret News. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- ^ a b "Church releases updated version of 'Preach My Gospel' at Missionary Training Center". Deseret News. 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
- ^ "'Huge' jump in LDS missionary numbers as a new teaching approach is unveiled". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
- ^ "Church Announces New Missions, Boundary Realignments: Four new missions to open in July", Newsroom, LDS Church, January 2, 2019
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