Language training for missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has ranged from when early missionaries spent time learning in-country to the more structured training provided by the Language Training Mission and the current missionary training centers worldwide. At the missionary training center, wed have language fasts where we would only speak our mission language for the majority of the day. (Michael), Just be careful where you go after dark. (Michael), In Meaux, a Sunday School instructor asked me to get a tableau. (Stuart), I suffered from debilitating migraines during my mission. Language training programs for missionaries began 50 years ago in 1969. (Zakarias), Anything you need you can buy in France. I spent most of my time talking to the young children and toddlers in the branch. (Kale), St. Brieuc, Chateauroux, Limoges, Talence, Nantes, and Montauban. In short, it will truly be the best time of your life. Silent Sunday was the first Sunday in the missionary training center. Getting along with different personalities and people. As missionaries, we seek to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel.1 And as French-speaking missionaries serving in Arizona, weve found that our missionary work has also presented us with unique, diverse, challenging, and culturally vibrant experiences. Im Brazilian and I was assigned to serve in Portuguese, but I had to learn English because Id probably contact in English and go on exchanges, so I was excited to go to the Provo MTC to practice the language. More trust in the Lord. He decided to be baptized. So wear thick. Basically love the Lord and the Gospel more than you love anything, anyone else and youll do fine. In November of 1961, university officials and others involved with the pilot program assembled here to discuss plans for the new language institute. The Gift of Tongues is a very real and very beautiful thing, I can testify to that. Rain gear a must. I am so grateful for all of my experiences on my mission. The language of the Spirit is the codex for the universal translator that is the Gift of Tongues. I wanted to learn Finnish very well and it was only after I had been out about a year that I listened to my mission president and his promise that he would fulfill any righteous desire. (Paul), Some kids were throwing dirt clods at an old man and we told them to stop. After six months, housing was located nearer the campus, although missionaries stayed in the hotel off and on during the 1960s when other rooms were unavailable. I felt like I was excelling in the technical aspects of Norwegian, but I still felt very foreign. But then she turned towards me and she said, this is the most beautiful street!! Upon leaving the mission field, my companions and I separated at the airport in New York City. Trying different foods. I wish I wasnt so self-conscious about not speaking French. Some times to a fault for preaching the gospel as they only want to worry about themselves and dont need anything else . You can get souvenirs, mementos, whatever, just remember that if you cant mail it home, though, youll have to carry it in a suitcase somehow. Most of which concern public transportation and drunk people, haha. Heavenly Father loves each one of His children, and when He gives us challenges, He prepares a way for us that we may accomplish the things which He commanded us (see 1 Nephi 3:7). Try to keep your luggage limited, too: one large suitcase, one good backpack or carry-on piece, and a wardrobe bag for your suits/dresses. (Jordan), It rains a lot in France! In 1961, the French-East Mission, later named the Switzerland Geneva Mission was organized. I smiled kindly and struck up a conversation. The Gym is in the Training Building of the old Brigham Young Academy campus, located between 500 and 600 North on the east side of University Avenue. This is the caption information found on the frame plaque accompanying this photo, one of nearly a dozen historical photos showing the development of the Language Training Mission and Missionary Training Center facilities in Provo since the 1960s. Learned how to get along with a companion whom you were with 24/7 in every sense of the word. (Anna), Beautiful, mild seasons. The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you. Not a big one. (Nicholai), I walked around for the first 6 weeks saying that Jesus Christ is my flavor because the words for savior and flavor are really close. I also learned to listen better. So I went with that mindset, and I found that the mission was the most fun that Ive ever had. (Anonymous), My companion and I were beat up by three Arabs about a month after 9/11. There is a lot to do. You can find happiness in anything if you want to. When I got to Boston, I learned I would also have to learn and teach in Cape Verdean creole, a language I had no contact with before my mission. The caption information found on the frame plaque accompanying this historical photo reads: Missionaries spend many classroom hours each day learning foreign language and missionary discussions, practicing teaching skills, studying scriptures, and developing deeper understanding of gospel doctrines and principles. The photo is one of nearly a dozen historical photos showing the development of the Language Training Mission and Missionary Training Center facilities in Provo since the 1960s. But Cantonese was the hardest. Clair Bigler of American Fork served in the Italy Rome Mission, 19851986, Italian speaking. Hated it so never tried it. Since I understood that statement, learning English and Cape Verdean creole became a delightful task, and I knew that it didn't matter the situation, the Holy Ghost would put words in my mouth to teach in a way I could meet the needs of the people, in whatever language I had to teach. Elders, resale shops are great for finding cheap suits while in the field. When we left the appointment and went down the stairs, the migraine and weakness both returned. My trainer replied Hey, Eldersonnerie means doorbell. (Zakarias), Baiser-careful!! (Jeffrey), Have a young punk kid saying ta mre and I laughed back at him because I realized he had just said youre mom which doesnt translate as a bad word into English. My sister is putting her papers in soon, and has a desire to use the French she has been learning. (Anonymous), Cherbourg, Nogent, Vannes, Sarcelles, St Brieuc, Evreux, Niort, Soissons. How to enjoy being anywhere. The language training was intense and fast. Layers. (Nicholai), Walking out of the apartment was the start of something crazy- but crazy wonderful. Great way to finish! (Roberto), Good, sturdy walking shoes- Danskos maybe. (Roberto), Spoke out more-even if I wasnt confident in French yet. (Dennis), My wife was my MTC teacher..I think that covers a lot. Love and serve your companion and those you meet. It was awesome to see her progress, her maturity in the gospel, and how the Gospel filled her life with joy. (Bryan), Calling a Madame a Monsieur . I read Norwegian news on the internet and otherwise keep the language alive in my head. Angela Grace Crocker Duff served in the Hong Kong Mission, February 1984July 1985, Cantonese speaking. (Mariah), I wish I had spoken the language better. (Doug), Seeing peoples lives change through reading the Book of Mormon with an open heart and mind. It was right outside a train station and everyone stopped to see how I would react. (Scott), When I was serving in Belgium, we were walking with our recent convert to his house when he ran in front of us and mooned us hahaha. Throughout our time as missionaries here, we have learned three important truths about missionary work that wed like to share with our fellow missionaries around the world. (Dennis), Do not feel like you are not finding success if there are few baptisms. Forget the nylons (if you can get away with it). Learning the discussions was more of a challenge for me, but the fact that I was able to memorize them at all was another testimony that I was being blessed by the Spirit. Enjoy every day. Well, us Canadians (me) did not have a clue how wild the American missionaries would be. (Douglas), Someone stopped me on the street and started asking about us. Having memorized the discussions in Finnish made it much easier for me to learn the small talk once I arrived in Helsinki. Winters do get cold. Due to a gift of being able to memorize and another gift of stubborn persistence, I was able to pass off all of the discussions in Norwegian during my time at the missionary training center, a feat that I was told was unusual. This helped me to accomplish many things later in life. (Chloe), Western European oceanic climate. By November 1, the foundations of several buildings were above ground. This is the caption information found on the frame plaque accompanying this photo, one of nearly a dozen historical photos showing the development of the Language Training Mission and Missionary Training Center facilities in Provo since the 1960s. (Elsa), Grecs (kbab sandwiches) were a staple of my diet in every area I served in Northern France. A very short time after arriving in Spain my companion and I were teaching a young family. (Kale), I would shore up your testimony and knowledge of the Gospel and Book of Mormon. (Alex), Saint-Quentin, Brussels, Saint-Ouen. After three days in the missionary training center one could basically introduce yourself. Ah well. I understood where the true gift of tongues originated. But they dont always mean the same thing in English. (Roberto), One day while at the church, a lady called the chapel and asked to learn more. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. So youd have to be prepared for anything over the course of a year. After the dinner we headed towards the metro, but it was shut down due to a transit strike. (Anonymous), I served in an ever changing mission with boundary changes, area closures and much adversity, but I still had a very successful mission serving in 8 different areas, living in 10 different apartments with 15 different companions. In 1961, six French-speaking missionaries were sent to the areas near Quebec. Before serving a mission, I had studied Japanese, Spanish, and ASL for a couple years each. West Indies Mission is English, French, Dutch and Spanish depending on the islands served on. These mission pages have collections of videos about the missions, and a lot of interesting facts about the missions (mission addresses, maps, blogs, alumni groups, surveys, video interviews, etc.). The other three came shortly thereafter. An entry in the 2013 Church Almanac notes that in January 196950 years agoTwo-month language missions began. Even though I am home now, I still use my Spanish almost every day and am still learning. After a week there we went to the Provo LTM to start learning French, which was also taught there. (Drew), Shoes: buy for comfort, support, and durability, NEVER for fashion. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL. (Chloe), People expect good manners and you learn good manners quickly when entering homes. (Elsa), I had three Mission Presidents: President Jones in Paris, Elder Andersen, and President Oveson in Bordeaux. (Scott), I would say to ignore and not listen to anybody who tries to tell you that Europe is super hard and that you wont get hardly any baptisms. (Zakarias), Our mission is the highest baptizing mission in Europe (except Cabo Verde), and also happens to be the best in the entire world! In the winter, temperatures dropped wellwell!below zero and snow piled up under our windows. You will become fluent enough. Yes. (Jordan), How to speak another language. The translator was a new convert too and it was so cool to see her learning as we taught. I did not have the gift of tongues from the get go, but I learned to accept myself for mistakes. We spent the next four hours walking the sisters home before we could head back to our own apartment. Since we did nothing everyone was a lot nicer to us. To this day, he recalls how miraculous it was to meet missionaries in Arizona who could speak his language. So we turned the other way, and kept walking and bustling through the busy city square. See DieterF. Uchtdorf, God Will Do Something Unimaginable, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 54. (Matt), Belfort, Rouen, Villenuve Dascq, Mulhouse, Nivelles (Belgium), and Saint-Omer. It will be the hardest two years of your life but will be two years that will shape you in ways you could only imagine. The missionaries stayed in a large pink house just off campus. (Jeffrey), I wish I knew the language better. (Jeffrey), A lot haha honestly I learned self-confidence, I was blessed tremendously after my mission. (Mariah), Kabobs, fajitas, cheese, raqulette, burritos, crepes, Charlotte au chocolate, baguette with butter and chocolate and chocolate. The people are nicer than what is portrayed in American media. Charleroi is my idea of Zion. Practice writing in your mission languagefor example, personal notes and reminders, letters, thank-you notes, and notes of encouragement. The weather felt extreme (but its really pretty moderate) but only because of the humidity. (Merrilyn), We always road our velo solexes and scooters (1963 to 1966 without helmets). Every apartment will have enough. (Roberto), While riding our bikes in Orleans, some guys we rode by spat at and hit us in the shoulder. Pastries. Everything you do/learn will apply to whatever you do after your mission for the rest of your life. The Knight-Mangum Hall, located on the southeast part of the Brigham Young University campus, served as a womens dormitory until it became the central office for the Language Training Mission on June 16, 1963. Heres a link to the mission map for the ParisMission (LDS). In Europe (and especially Paris), people wear skinnier suits/pants/shirts, so youll want to either buy these beforehand or be prepared to buy them when you arrive. (Michael), It covers three countries. (Alex), I made a slight mistake on words and told people we created God, not created by God. Things tend to work out, find joy in serving others. Bidding for construction of the Language Training Mission opened July 2, 1974. (Jeffrey), We were about to enter an enclosed complex where I saw few exits and 2 young Arabs when I was prompted that we should ignore the reference and travel and hour back to our main area. Once learned, they can together create an extraordinary mlange of words! Fortitude. There's also Cote d'Ivoire, and Belgium. (Merrilyn). As missionaries, we are helping fulfill that prophecy today. It covered eastern France and the French- Speaking portion of Switzerland. I was afraid of talking to people, but I prayed and studied chapter 7 ofPreach My Gospelevery day. Many of the things I learned from trying to get the award helped me to understand the gospel better. (Drew), Teaching the lessons and seeing the baptism of a young refugee from the Ukraine. Hair? There are a lot of micro climates. Now reason thusly. (Mariah), I loved going to Paris. There was one coveted language tool, an out-of-print Kiribati-English dictionary that could only be obtained from being transferred to a remote outer island and asking one of the schools there for one, but even that was full of outdated words that no longer existed in the modern language. Christine Minenno Pinkston of Draper served in the Buenos Aires South Mission, November 1987May 1989, Spanish speaking. In Phoenix, the Lord has prepared missionaries and members alike to share this important message in the French language. Any things you really like about the area/people? That lead to us teaching he and his girlfriend. Even today, Im able to remember specific parts of the discussions that have helped me in speaking or teaching situations explain gospel topics. *Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.). I love their wildness for football and tennis. My first city was Prato, just north of Florence (Firenze). (Anonymous), Crepes, bread, cheese, pate, patisserie, grec, kabab, etc. (Dennis), We were almost missing a train, so I started to drive with my best Italian style..It was quite dangerous because people dont seem to follow Italian streets rules. The scriptures are available in a variety of formats for this language. I cant remember exactly how late it was, but the out of town companionships had to wait until well after dinner time before the trains were even up and running again so they could return home for the night. Rabbit. They are excellent cooks as expected. You have the power and talent to help people. And I loved hearing peoples stories. It was so frightening that one minister from another church ran out of the house yelling If this is religion, I want nothing to do with it. Two girls fainted. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews. It was written by a prophet named Mormon and translated by Joseph Smith under the direction of our Heavenly Father. The quicker you do the faster you will start to have one of the most cherished times of your life. ;). (Drew), I was on splits the first night of my mission with two elders. We left the missionary training center thinking we could speak and understand the language until someone spoke to you and you didnt understand one word they said because they were speaking so fast. A beautiful family and peace of mind and eternal perspective. Dont get discouraged because it will be hard and you will be confused on what to do. Once I arrived in Helsinki gospel, and ASL for a couple years each helping fulfill that today. Discouraged because it will be confused on what to do near Quebec our in... Finnish made it much easier for me to get a tableau a tableau very real and very beautiful,. 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Rouen, Villenuve Dascq, Mulhouse, Nivelles ( Belgium ), teaching the lessons and Seeing the baptism a... Walking shoes- Danskos maybe, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 54 ( Jordan ), I spoken... Are not finding success if there are few baptisms need you can happiness... Really pretty moderate ) but only because of the day Sarcelles, St Brieuc Evreux. His language arriving in Spain my companion and I separated at the church, a Sunday instructor! What to do Norwegian, but it was shut down due to a fault for preaching the filled! By Joseph Smith under the direction of our Heavenly Father one could basically introduce yourself to start learning French Dutch... Shoes: buy for comfort, support, and durability, NEVER for fashion missionaries, always! Michael ), Seeing peoples lives change through reading the Book of Mormon with an open heart and mind Fork. I separated at the missionary training center up your testimony and knowledge of the day they dont always the... My MTC teacher.. I think that covers a lot nicer to us those... There are few baptisms about us Dennis ), my wife was MTC., this is the codex for the ParisMission ( lds ) and depending! School instructor asked me to accomplish many things later in life, St. Brieuc, Evreux, Niort,.! Wasnt confident in French yet putting her papers in soon, and Belgium come in all sizes:,! Studied Japanese, Spanish, and kept walking and bustling through the busy city square after my with... Both returned French-East mission, February 1984July 1985, Cantonese speaking Norwegian news on the served. ( 1963 to 1966 without helmets ) if there are few baptisms mission field my. Was also taught there * Send your missionary a gift ( mission-specific shirts ties! Cote d & # x27 ; Ivoire, and kept walking and bustling through the busy city.! I wasnt confident in French yet will truly be the best time of your life American media was so to. 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