Missionary Training Center
Missionary Training Centers, or MTCs, are maintained by the Mormon Church to train their full-time missionaries before sending them around the world. They are trained in expected conduct, proselytizing methods, and if it is required, a foreign language. All missionaries are given at least three weeks in proselytizing methods. This includes lessons on church doctrine and teaching, proper manners and on non-confrontationalism. They are encouraged to actively study the Church's doctrine in order to be inspired on how best to teach others.
There are currently seventeen Mormon MTCs. Besides the large facility in Provo, Utah, MTCs are located in Brazil, Ghana, England, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, and South Africa. Almost all missionaries attend at least one of the MTCs for training prior to serving in their assigned area.
Regardless of the particular MTC attended, all missionaries are given the chance to further learn the doctrines of Jesus Christ and to develop and strengthen Christlike attributes. Missionaries learn to teach principles with clarity and to help others have faith in Christ, repent, be baptized in Christ's name, receive the Holy Spirit, and continue in the ways of Christ. Because many missionaries are sent to countries or areas where a different language is spoken, Missionary Training Centers provide important instruction on speaking foreign languages. The Provo MTC, for example, teaches almost fifty languages.
Missionaries generally spend between a few weeks and a few months in a Missionary Training Center, depending in part on whether or not foreign language lessons are required.
The Missionary Training Center was originally started by the Mormon Church to provde language training and a place to stay until difficulties in obtaining passport visas to their assigned areas could be cleared up.
Originally called the Language Training Mission, the name was changed to the Missionary Training Center in the 1970s. The name was changed to note that it was for more than just language training, although language training would still continue to be an important part of the facility.
More and More Full-time Missionaries Attending International Training Centers, By Patricia S. Norwood, Church Magazines
