What You Might Not Know About The MTC

Before we fly off to Riga, Latvia, we will spend ten days at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located along the Wasatch Mountains in Provo, Utah, the Provo MTC has been opened for over four decades. Hundreds of thousands of missionaries have passed through to learn and train before going out to serve their missions all over the world.

During our short visit, we will meet diverse people from all around the world who speak a variety of different languages but mostly others who are there to learn a new foreign language. Regardless of the mission assignment, worthy young men and women, ages 18-25, spend many hours each day learning one of the fifty-five foreign languages. They will also better understand the teachings of Jesus Christ and his marvelous example.

Senior Missionary couples also have an opportunity to visit the MTC. This is where we learn specific things pertaining to our specific assignment. In our situation we will learn about doing humanitarian work in foreign countries and how to work with organizations. We pray for the spirit of the Lord to help us learn how to better serve our brothers and sisters of the world.

The MTC campus is very large. It houses thousands of missionaries at the same time. Within the past five years, the Provo MTC has undergone new construction and building expansions to keep up with the demands of willing volunteers who accept the call to serve. So many young people are preparing to go out into the world wherever they have been asked to serve. They will soon travel to Asia, North and South America, Europe, Australia, the islands of the sea, and other far away places.

The new buildings are awesome with walls lined with beautiful murals of the Savior. Besides classrooms there are places to ponder and pray as you look out at beautiful landscapes. There is also a large cafeteria and gymnasium for recreation. It’s always peaceful where the spirit of the Lord is near and I am excited to experience the Missionary Training Center.