Missionary Training Centers Help Hasten the Work of Salvation

Throughout the world, 15 missionary training centers provide training for more than 85,000 missionaries from 143 countries. Collectively the missionaries learn 55 languages from 1,600 instructors, then serve up to two years in 405 missions across more than 150 nations.

With the growth in the number of missionaries since age requirements were changed in October 2012, the MTCs are accommodating a greater number of missionaries than ever before. With at least one MTC in every hemisphere, the sun never sets on training.

Missionaries generally arrive at an MTC with a foundation of religious knowledge gained from instruction at home and in the Church. The centers provide additional training that includes how to teach in the manner that Jesus Christ taught and how to invite people to follow Him. Missionaries practice teaching situations, receive language training where applicable, listen to weekly devotional addresses from Church leaders and MTC staff, and participate in service opportunities.

The largest MTC is located in Provo, Utah, USA. It provides training for thousands of missionaries in 55 languages. The second-largest MTC is found in Mexico City, Mexico. In June 2013 it was relocated from a smaller building to a 90-acre campus that previously housed a private Church high school, Benemerito de las Americas. The former location could accommodate around 125 missionaries at a time; the new location can accommodate more than 1,000.

Additional MTCs are located in Buenos Aires, Argentina; São Paulo, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Bogotá, Colombia; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Preston, England; Accra, Ghana; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Auckland, New Zealand; Lima, Peru; Manila, Philippines; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Madrid, Spain.