Information for Parents of Prospective Missionaries

The following information contains excerpts from the Missionary Training Center Website.

Passports & Visas

Work closely with your missionary to see that all passport and visa requirements (if applicable) are met as quickly as possible.  If required documents are not submitted on time, the missionary's travel to the field may be delayed.

Communications With Your Missionary

During the mission please write frequent, uplifting letters to your missionary. Please do not make personal contact unless there is an emergency. Unnecessary family contact can disturb the missionary's focus, counterbalance efforts to overcome homesickness, and make the transition to the spiritually demanding calling as a representative of Jesus Christ more difficult. MTC leaders and mission presidents will do all in their power to ensure that your missionary is well and is enjoying a successful mission.

Often mail service outside the United States is slow. If missionaries are serving outside the United States, parents should not expect letters from their missionaries to reach them in less than 4-6 weeks.

Financial Requirements

Those responsible for providing financial support should see that US$375 or Canadian $430 is deposited to the ward missionary account by the first of each month. The first donation should be in the ward fund prior to the beginning of the month in which the missionary will enter an MTC (or report directly to the mission). Donations are not refundable, including any advance payments if the missionary must return home early.

The mission president is authorized to disburse funds each month to cover all essential, missionary service-related expenses. Occasionally some additional funds for clothing, bicycles, and nonessential, personal items may be needed. It can be very detrimental to a missionary to receive more money than is necessary, so these additional funds should be kept to a minimum. They may not be contributed through the ward missionary fund. The best method of sending such funds is suggested on the "Clothing and Information List" included in the call packet. Please discuss this financial information with your missionary.

Every effort is made to keep mission costs as low as possible so that all worthy young people can serve missions without undue hardship.

Medical Concerns & Expenses

Please ensure that before entering the MTC your missionary receives all required immunizations, and all medical and dental concerns have been completely resolved. If applicable, an updated eye exam should be completed. If eyeglasses, contact lenses, or prescription medication will be required during the mission, have your missionary take a copy of the doctor's prescription.

The Church does not carry medical insurance for missionaries. Any expenses resulting from pre-mission medical conditions are the responsibility of the family and will be sent to you for reimbursement. Medical expenses for missionaries who become sick or are injured while serving their mission will be managed by the mission president. If you are able to maintain health insurance for your missionary, you are encouraged to do so. If your missionary is covered, the Church asks that reimbursement be sought from your insurance carrier. If your insurance policy does not cover your missionary during the mission, you should be prepared to reinstate him or her on your policy immediately upon release from the mission.

Other

Missionaries are to be set apart by their stake president before arriving at the MTC, regardless of the length of time they may be traveling before entering the MTC. Each missionary should have a current temple recommend and should have received the temple endowment (if possible).