The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently announced adjustments to missionary training center schedules, reducing the online, at-home portion of training for new full-time missionaries to just one week. This change will take effect on May 1 for missionaries beginning language training at specific missionary training centers in Brazil, England, Mexico, Peru, and Provo.
Previously, most new missionaries training in their native languages spent the first week online at home, followed by two weeks at an assigned MTC. Those learning foreign languages spent two weeks online before completing their training at an assigned MTC. With the new adjustment, all missionaries assigned to the aforementioned MTCs will now complete one week of at-home training before reporting for on-site training with the necessary travel documents.
It is important to note that while the time spent in online, at-home training for missionaries learning a new language has been reduced, the overall training remains the same. The full six- or nine-week training for language-learning missionaries will still be completed, with the balance of the training taking place at the assigned MTC.
The Missionary Department expressed confidence that this change will benefit missionaries in their preparation to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. They also expressed gratitude for the efforts of all those involved in supporting missionaries in their work.
The shift to online training at home began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the closure of on-site operations at the Church’s 10 MTCs worldwide. New missionaries were able to continue their training virtually, with companion study and classes conducted through video conferencing. The missionaries‘ own residences became their „virtual MTCs“ during this time.
When the Provo Missionary Training Center reopened in June 2021, new missionaries assigned to English-language missions experienced a combined online/on-site approach to training. They spent one week online at home followed by two weeks of on-site classes, meetings, devotionals, and other traditional MTC activities.
As additional missionary training centers reopened, the phased approach to training expanded for new missionaries in areas where online training was feasible. This new pattern typically involved one week at home and two at an MTC for missionaries not learning a new language, and two weeks at home followed by 4 or 7 weeks at home for those assigned to learn a new language.
Overall, these adjustments to missionary training reflect the Church’s adaptability in the face of challenges and its commitment to providing effective training for missionaries around the world. The combination of online and on-site training ensures that missionaries are well-prepared to fulfill their important roles in sharing the gospel message.