Missionary Training City

by Janet Thomas

Assistant Managing Editor

If you had to pick the most popular square yard of floor at the Missionary Training Center, where would it be? Hands down it’s in front of the mailboxes. Just the sight of envelopes crammed beyond the small square of glass makes a missionary’s heart leap. And even better are the little yellow slips instructing the missionary that a package is waiting to be picked up at the window.

Mail is just one of the support services provided at the MTC. Facility Services, as it is called by its correct title, includes the nuts and bolts of everyday living at the center to make life easier and allow missionaries to focus on learning.

Daily schedules

Missionaries entering the center are given a schedule for their group that indicates blocks of time for meals, laundry, service assignments, temple attendance, gym attendance, personal time, etc. Two years ago, the MTC changed from having a single preparation day per week to this daily schedule to help spread out the demand on facilities and to help missionaries get plenty of rest, breaks from class, and time for exercise.

Also, upon entering the MTC, each missionary is given a card that is as good as money. Meals in the cafeteria are charged against this card as well as other services such as laundry. The amount should cover the missionary’s basic needs, but if he or she spends more than is allotted, then the difference must be made up out of personal funds.

Giving service

One of the most amazing things about the MTC is the way the missionaries help maintain the facilities and help do the tasks that take a lot of manpower. Each missionary gives 75 minutes a week in service. These areas of service include setting up and taking down chairs for large meetings; custodial cleanup in living areas, classrooms, or grounds; participating in focus groups; or working with the cafeteria staff. “The number of service hours per month totals 11,000,” says David Boekweg, Manager of Facility Services. “That translates to nearly a million dollars in labor savings a year for the MTC. And the missionaries don’t mess things up as much when they know they are responsible for cleaning it up.”

Everyday needs

Services are available for most things that missionaries will need. A bookstore is stocked with learning materials, book bags, plus everyday items such as toiletries, white shirts, or treats.

Some additional services:

Cafeteria—Three meals a day are served. When missionaries have a scheduling conflict, they can pack a sack lunch instead of eating in the cafeteria.
Laundry—Washers and dryers are available. Missionaries must purchase their own detergent from vending machines or the bookstore.
Dry cleaning—Rates are reasonable. Alterations are also available for a fee. There is a trend for missionaries to gain weight while at the MTC, perhaps because of the regular three meals a day and decreased activity. The MTC has taken steps to encourage increased exercise by offering gym times six days a week.
Barbershop—Elders are entitled to one or two haircuts depending on their length of stay at the MTC. Sister missionaries are not offered haircuts, although a beautician is available for paid appointments.
Copy center—Services such as copying, laminating, or binding are available here.
Sheets and pillowcases—All bed linens are provided. Exchange for clean linen can be made weekly.
Mail—Letters are delivered to mailboxes, and packages can be picked up at an adjoining window. No stamps are sold at the mail window, but stamp machines are available. The MTC will not accept packages that are hand delivered.
Banking services—The office has capabilities to cash checks and sell travelers’ checks.
Medical services—The health center is adjacent to the MTC. Immunizations are available. Health needs can be treated. Also, doctors are on call for emergencies.
Interpretation services—Volunteers help with missionaries who do not speak English.

With everyone working together, the MTC becomes a very pleasant place to stay. Brother Boekweg says, “People are trying their hardest to do what’s right while they are missionaries. Here you are surrounded by people trying to live righteously. Everyone is pleasant and willing. There is nowhere else in the world you could go, except maybe another MTC, and have this same experience.”