New Missionary Training Center Dedicated in Brazil

In an auditorium designed to seat 800, more than 1,100 people gathered for the 18 May 1997 dedication of the new Brazil Missionary Training Center in São Paulo. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave remarks in English and then offered the dedicatory prayer in Portuguese. Also in attendance were Elder Harold G. Hillam of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elders Dallas N. Archibald, W. Craig Zwick, and Claudio R. M. Costa of the Seventy, who made up the Brazil Area Presidency before the Presidency was reorganized on 15 August 1997. New missionary training center president Jerry F. Twitchell attended, as did former Brazil MTC president H. Birch Larsen.

In his prayer Elder Nelson blessed “the citizens of Brazil with freedom and accountability to grow in righteousness” and “the leaders of this great nation with wisdom and integrity.” He also blessed “this sacred edifice funded by the tithes of faithful people from many nations and circumstances … [to] be a place for the blessing of sons and daughters who are privileged to enjoy these wonderful facilities.”

One of the largest buildings constructed by the Church outside the United States, the new Brazil MTC is made up of two six-story parallel buildings that each can accommodate 375 missionaries, although only one building will be used initially. The buildings are joined by a structure containing the cafeteria and auditorium.

The new Brazil MTC is one of the largest structures built by the Church outside the United States.