At-home MTC: what to expect
Most missionaries start the MTC online from home for one or two weeks, then go on-site. Here’s what the Provo MTC’s official FAQ says, for missionaries and their families.
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At-home MTC, at a glance
At-home MTC is online missionary training from home. Most missionaries spend one or two weeks in online MTC classes, then finish on-site at one of the MTCs.
1–2 weeksMost missionaries train at home first. A few go fully on-site.
Daily scheduleUp early, prayer, exercise, study and practice teaching. Early to bed.
Online classesUsually 2 a day, about 3 hours each, led by an MTC teacher.
Dress & standardsOnce set apart, you’re a full-time missionary. Dress standards apply.
Source: the Provo MTC’s own site, provo.mtc.missionary.org (a Brigham Young University site), At-Home MTC Training FAQ, updated .
What does home MTC mean?
It means starting MTC training online from home. Most missionaries have one or two weeks of at-home training with MTC teachers, then go on-site to the MTC.
What are you allowed to do during home MTC?
You follow the missionary schedule and standards. Family activities on P-days and Sundays are encouraged. A personal phone is OK once it’s cleared of distracting apps. Avoid social media (except approved uses), TV, movies and video games. When you leave home, go with a companion, most often a family member.
Do LDS missionaries still do home MTC?
Yes. The Provo MTC’s FAQ, updated March 18, 2026, says most missionaries have one or two weeks of at-home training before coming on-site. A few have their full MTC experience on-site because of their assignment. Confirm yours in your call packet.
What does home MTC look like?
Usually two online classes a day, about 3 hours each with breaks, led by an MTC teacher, with an online companion and district. Outside class: personal and companion study, practice teaching and, if needed, language study.
The basics
Most missionaries start the MTC from home, then go on-site.
- Starts on the date in your call letter. Teachers email a few days before.
- Classes: usually 2 a day, about 3 hours each, with an online companion.
- First: be set apart and endowed. How to prepare for the endowment
A day at home
Once set apart, you’re a full-time missionary, at home.
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ScheduleUp early, prayer, exercise, study, class, teaching practice.
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StandardsMissionary dress. No job.
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PhoneOK if cleared of distracting apps. Social media only when approved for teaching.
For families
Give them space to learn, and be their audience.
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A quiet spotFor class and study. If home won’t work, the stake president may help.
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Join inHelp with teaching practice. Include them in family activities on P-days and Sundays.
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Leaving home?Go with them. They shouldn’t be alone with children, except younger siblings.
Who to contact
No email from teachers by 5 PM Utah time the Friday before? Call or email the MTC.
- Can’t connect? Your teachers or MTC Tech Support chat.
- No computer, or need to postpone? Your stake president.
- Travel: details reach your missionary.org email about 2 weeks before. Questions: Email Missionary Travel
Official help and links
From the MTC
- MTC Tech Support chatThe MTC’s own support chat, linked from its FAQ. For trouble joining class.
- Missionary visasVisa questions, by email.
- MTC Information DeskEmail for individual missionaries isn’t forwarded.
- Communicating with missionaries at the MTCProvo MTC: P-day letters, email and video chats.
Official reading
- Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus ChristSchedule, dress and conduct.
- Preach My GospelThe missionary study guide.
- Missionary PortalYour call details and the MTC Experience section.
Questions
Tap to open · 11 common questions
Does every missionary do at-home MTC training?
Most missionaries have one or two weeks of at-home MTC training before going on-site. A few have their full MTC experience on-site because of their assignment. The MTC Experience section of the Missionary Portal has the details.
When does at-home MTC training start?
On the date in your call letter. A few days before, MTC teaching staff will email you. If no one has contacted you by 5 PM Utah time on the Friday before you start, email the MTC at TrainSec@
What is the schedule like?
Typically two classes a day, about 3 hours each, led by an MTC teacher, plus online workshops every so often. Outside class you follow a missionary schedule: up early, prayer, exercise, personal and companion study, practice teaching, and language study if you have it.
Should I be set apart and endowed first?
Yes. If there is no feasible way to be endowed before traveling to the MTC, you can receive your endowment at the MTC.
Do I need a companion at home?
You are assigned a remote companion to study and practice with. You don’t need a family member in the room during online classes, but whenever you leave home you should have a companion, most often a family member.
Can my missionary use their phone?
Yes, a personal phone may be used during at-home training. It should be cleared of apps or content that would distract from missionary work.
When do monthly contributions start?
When the missionary arrives on-site at the MTC.
What if my missionary needs emotional support?
Talk with parents, a priesthood leader or a local professional.
What if we need to postpone?
Contact your stake president.
How long are missionaries at the MTC?
It depends on your assignment, and the Church doesn’t publish one length for everyone. Most missionaries do at-home training and then on-site training at an MTC, so confirm your dates in your call packet and on the Missionary Portal.
Why is MTC training a week longer over Christmas?
No missionaries travel to or from the Provo MTC during a Christmas “blackout” week. So some start a week early and train an extra week, then reach their missions on the normal transfer date.
Sources and fine print
Tap to open · 3 official pages + fine print
- Provo MTC At-Home MTC Training FAQ (official, )
- Missionary Frequently Asked Questions (official, published )
- About the Temple Endowment, temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org (official)
Fine print
- A few missionaries do the whole MTC on-site because of their assignment. See the MTC Experience section of the Missionary Portal.
- Online workshops (about 1 hour) happen every so often, on top of classes.
- If you can’t be endowed before you travel, you can be endowed at the MTC.
- Your nametag and ministerial certificate ship to your application address and arrive just before you start. Study materials are online.
- Monthly contributions start when you arrive on-site.
- Your stake president is your priesthood leader during at-home training.
- Social media and apps are OK only when approved for teaching and assignments. Also avoid TV, movies, video games, music or books that don’t meet missionary standards.
- No family member needs to be in the room during online class.
- Missing class happens only in extreme circumstances, with local leaders’ approval and notice to MTC teachers.
- MTC Information Desk: +1 385-384-2900. It does not forward messages to individual missionaries.
- Address changes: contact the MTC training office.
. Official pages, your call packet and the Missionary Portal are always the final word. GotMyCall is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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