Missionaries Speaking Native Language to Spend Three Weeks in MTC

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that missionaries called to serve in their native language will now spend three weeks in the Missionary Training Center (MTC) as opposed to two.

This change will be effective as of March 1, 2016. Four years ago, President Monson announced that men and women choosing to serve missions could now serve at 18 and 19, respectively. As a result to Monson’s October 2012 announcement, the length of time missionaries spend in the MTC was reduced by nearly one-third.

Following the age change announcement, missionaries assigned to teach in their native language were only assigned to spend two weeks in the MTC. The change back to three weeks in the MTC is “optimal,” according to Elder Brent H. Nielson, executive director of the Church’s Missionary Department. Nielson said,

[pull_quote_center]Three weeks is the optimal amount of time for these elders and sisters to spend in an MTC setting. It gives them an opportunity to understand how to be an effective, successful missionary.[/pull_quote_center]

With this change, some missions across the world may experience a difference in transfer dates or start and release dates for some missionaries. Mormon Newsroom reports that the Church Missionary Department or mission president will contact families in December if there are any changes they need to be aware of.