Young man wearing a traditional straw hat dropping
off his missionary brother at the MTC
As much as it would be nice, they don't all arrive at the same time. All day Thursday and Friday they arrive at the MTC in groups of ones and twos and occasionally 15 at a time.
It is important to review their visa and passport documents. We also check their immunization cards to make sure everyone has been or gets the proper immunizations. Many will go through the temple for the first time while here so we measure them for temple clothing.
Each missionary will have a short interview with a member of the mission presidency and receive their missionary badge. Here they line up to visit and get that all important badge.
Leadership
Then, between Friday and Saturday a complete branch is organized. We call District Leaders who serve as Sunday School teacher as well. There are Zone Leaders who lead out by example and conduct many MTC-wide Devotionals and Meetings. We organize Priesthood and Relief Society teachers (usually 15-18 for the three weeks). We have leadership training and meetings.
The transition from home to the MTC can be a real learning experience. Some missionaries who have not been away from home find themselves overly missing their families. We try to be understanding to these needs and we have a helpful guide called Adjusting to Missionary Life.
Before long the missionaries have been divided into districts
and the go to their assigned classrooms for instruction to begin
