Deseret News | Curbside goodbyes at the MTC

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Curbside goodbyes at the MTC

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To Amy | 12:19 p.m. June 4, 2009

Right now you are seeing your 8 year old as the missionary you will be sending off. When that time comes he will be 19 and ready to go. I have taken two sons to the MTC and I found that the family and friend get-together we had before we took him to the MTC was amazing and their non-member friends asked a lot of questions so you can have the spiritual experience and the missionary is at ease. The MTC can be a bit overwhelming for the missionary but once they walk through the doors everything is fine. I think it is a good idea NOT to bring that "I am going to miss you emotion" inside and let the young men and women focus on the amazing experience that is ahead of them! We sat by a young man whose family was unable to bring him out to the MTC and he felt a little lost and feeling bad so I can see how this "drop-off" would be good and fair to all the new missionaries!

Anonymous | 12:24 p.m. June 4, 2009

Everyone needs to remember that, according to Elder Hinckley, this was going to be done later this year (my guess after the summer rush). The schedule was accelerated because of the sick missionaries.

Every other MTC has the "drop off at the curb" policy. Why should Provo be any different? It's a tremendous burden to allow family into the MTC. Having worked there in the past, it takes a large number of staff and volunteers to keep track of the visitors.

The Church is streamlining and automating operations all over the Church. Some of those are good. Some of those are inconvenient, but are necessarily to make all areas of the Church function the same.

Sometimes policies and procedures have nothing to do with the inspired nature of the Church. They are simply management decisions. This is just another one. The dropoff process that worked for a generation got to be too cumbersome, so they are getting rid of it. Move on.

Good change | 12:33 p.m. June 4, 2009

I've dropped off seven missionaries in years past. I am so overwhelmed with emotion when I walk through those doors at the MTC, I can't control myself, and it just got worse with each one. Maybe future generations, by dropping off their missionaries in the parking lot, can be spared my emotional meltdowns. That place is filled with power!!

Comments continue below

Parents left 2 times | 1:23 p.m. June 4, 2009

I hate to tell you this, but if any of you have dropped of your parents, like we did 2 times, both times to serve 18 month missions, you aren't invited to the "meeting", you leave BOTH in their apartment or at the door and say your good-byes there. However, it's a much different experience because they have chosen to leave behind their entire family - in our case 6 daughters, 6 son-in-laws, 16 grandkids and new great-grandbabies, the weddings, the graduations and basically our lives, to serve their Lord. Speaking from experience the good-bye's aren't any easier on children of parents than they are on young missionaries, but I think this is a good thing, let them start their mission at the door. A long drawn out good bye only prolongs the inevitable.

utwingnut | 1:39 p.m. June 4, 2009

Get a grip people. It's only two years. Good greif.

utwingnut | 1:49 p.m. June 4, 2009

18 years ago my parents dropped me off in front of the MTC, said good bye and went on a celebritory trip to Hawaii. You people need to get a grip.

Please | 2:37 p.m. June 4, 2009

It's only two years...could you please provide some insight on your comment. Do you have children? If so was it easy for you to let them go away for two years? Think before your comment, you sound foolish!!

RE: Please | 3:02 p.m. June 4, 2009

Here is your insight: Two years is just a drop in the bucket of time. Life moves on and so should you. Let your child go and become the man or woman that they will become. Worrying about and stressing about whether you have to drop your silly tradition of accompanying your child into or just dropping them off a curbside is silly. Grow up!

awsomeron | 3:41 p.m. June 4, 2009

"Not being able to attend orientation meeting with friends, your girlfriend or boyfriend, and family should be the last thing on a missionary's mind at this point."

I wish I had had this opportunity.

I suppose you should be also "Grateful for that which you do not receive."

Some of the people there are there on a very thin margin. The decision to go or stay was 51-49 at best. For some the Vote was to stay home however they went anyway for many reasons.

I know I would be saying goodbye my Girlfriend, and really would not care what anyone thought. Dad, Mom and Siblings aside.

I think singing the Hymn and Hugging Goodbye was a good idea but can be done before hand. Just like after 911 you could No Longer go to the Airport Gate with your departing loved one.

Its all about love and service and serving Jesus, but I am going to hug the Girlfriend. I have never sent a Missionary off, I still have a couple of more shots. Daughter 19 and Grandson 14. My Son 20 is a great kid but is not going. He has chosen to stay in College.

German Missionary | 3:46 p.m. June 4, 2009

Served 30 years ago in Germany. Hardest job I ever loved. Would go again today if asked without hesitation! Emotional goodbyes are nothing! My mother died on the Friday before Mothers Day at about the time I turned 19. Her conversion work with me had already been done. It came after 12 months of knocking on doors without success. Took two years to witness the Spirit convert a choice young German boy. Read D&C 18:15 sometime. Lets all get over ourselves! If you send them out to become the sons and daughters of Helaman, trust in the prophet who sends them as in D&C 31:3-5.

One of the missionaries in our group panicked on the night before the flight to Germany because he had too many attachments to a girl back home.

Are you raising sons and daughters of God or something else? I cant think of anything I look forward to more this month of June 2009 than taking our daughter to the MTC for that very purpose! See you all with courage at curbside!

patti b-r | 4:04 p.m. June 4, 2009

some of these comments are kinda un-Christlike.
my parents took me to the mtc back in 83'-i don't even really remember it.
we will be taking our son in aug and we do not understand what the big deal is. (you have 19 years) you can say good-bye from anywhere.
if the Brethren have decided (apparently long ago) that the procedure has outlived it's usefulness, then why the murmuring? sorta defeats the purpose.

Kyle | 4:07 p.m. June 4, 2009

The point you all fail to make in trying to defend the church's actions is that there is NO REASON to take such measures when this strain of "swine" flu is not even as dangerous as the common cold! Has the MTC ever instituted a no handshaking, curbside drop off policy before? No. So yes they have bought into the hysteria. Quit trying to defend the church, you are making yourselves look like FARMS when the defended the salamander letter. And yes I do know the "regular" flu kills 30,000-40,000 a year because I practice medicine.

Onward | 4:10 p.m. June 4, 2009

Great seeing these missionaries leaving on their missions,my brother and i served our missions and now preparing ours sons to serve theirs in the near future.
I guess its not the leaving that matter most rather the welcoming and witnessing the change man/women after fullfulling honourably their calling as they serve our heavenly father.

Future Missionary Mom | 4:44 p.m. June 4, 2009

To: CA Father - I like it!:) No matter where you say goodbye, it's going to be hard. Not because they're not ready and not an adult, but because you aren't going to see them for 18 months to two years!

Picture | 4:54 p.m. June 4, 2009

Looking at the picture on the main page makes me think that the MTC needs to think about more security. With all those vehicles and people bunched up like that it makes for a very soft terrorist target.

Re: Picture | 5:16 p.m. June 4, 2009

I'm not sure that terrorists are too concerned about that location. I could be wrong. Your point is valid, however, but most terrorists I know are concerned about other targets (and yes, I know many).

RE RE Picture | 5:24 p.m. June 4, 2009

Terrorists are concerned about any soft target that will promote thier agenda. You know many terrorists? Hummmmmmmmmmmm

Mom in Idaho | 8:03 p.m. June 4, 2009

I think this is a great change, and naturally with such a big undertaking things may not go as smoothly as everyone wants the first time trying it. With the health concerns I think it's very well-sighted to implement it now.
I've been through the Provo MTC thing with nephews and am actually glad I don't have to deal with that when we send our son to the MTC in Ghana,Africa this fall. I think it will be easier at the airport, without everyone else around crying, etc. Why prolong the goodbyes more than we need to. We have to think about it all summer as it is. The missionaries are usually ready for the parting, the parents aren't. It's interesting to read all your comments. Thanks. We should all remember whose program this is. May the Lord bless all you families.

Mom from Idaho | 8:10 p.m. June 4, 2009

To California Steve,
Where did your missionary go in Africa? Ours is going to Ghana, directly to the MTC there. I'm glad we don't have to do the traditional Provo MTC thing. This will be totally new to us having a son go out of the country. We certainly have to have faith in the Lord's plan don't we.

NoName | 10:38 a.m. June 5, 2009

I laughed about the comment and how truthful it is posted by CA father:
The answer is to send the young men when they are 16. At that age they know everything and Mom won't cry one bit. Just kidding!

Being the hopeful mom of two future missionaries, four if my daughters go, and experiencing the MTC as a missionary and a sibling...I have mixed feelings about the change.

As a missionary yes, one is very excited to 'get moving". As a sibling, it was kind of "aren't we done yet?" As a mom, I know they'll be where they should be, but Id find it difficult to say good-bye. I'm sure tears will spill, but I'm sure tears will come and go for the duration of the mission.

Everyone handles situations differently. We've been given warning of changes being made, everyone should plan now as to how they can make it a nice, memorable and testimony building experience for all involved.

A in LA | 11:16 a.m. June 5, 2009

I have been reading all these comments this morning -the touching ones as well as the less touching - even stupid ones. It has been kind of fun reading - and remembering what it was like before. It is always hard to change what has been a tradition for such a long time. I am sure there were mistakes made at this first change day. With every change, no matter what kind of change it is, there are always bugs that need to be worked out and longings for "what used to be". As time goes on this process will be tweeked to perfection and to the missionaries in the future this WILL be the norm so they will not mind it as much as those of us who have the "old way" to compare it to. I would hope though, that the comments still to be made here today, would be kept to sweet rememberances rather than nit picking and snide remarks. I have really enjoyed the memories some of these comments have conjured up. As Bob Hope used to sing..."Thanks, for the memories...."

suggestion | 11:54 a.m. June 5, 2009

it does not have anything to do with this precautionary measures taken here, but I think it is time for the church to consider building another MTC on the east coast.

A needed change | 1:57 p.m. June 5, 2009

I was the missionary in 1978, it was the LTM in those days. I was the mom in 2008. Which was harder? Hands down... being the MOM is harder. I understand the reasons, I do not question why, but I am sad. Our younger children accompanied their older brother. They won't in a few years with our younger son. We move on. Have faith, we can do this.

Uneva | 9:50 p.m. June 5, 2009

I've never, yet, gone on a mission, or sent a family member on one...but there's absolutely no need for this differing of opinions. It's really quite simple: the Lord has spoken, through His Priesthood leaders...and His word is final! If you don't agree with it, go to Him, in personal prayer, and seek for an understanding heart. That is what we're all taught to do. The Lord is never wrong! ...Enough said.

Glad ours are gone and back | 12:12 p.m. June 6, 2009

Drove 500 miles ( it was not a hardship, but a choice, and we made a week of it as a family-stimulating the economy of Utah in the process- to tour church sites etc) to take eldest son to the MTC - it was wrenching,powerful, and provided a unique closure, transition and peace of mind for me as a parent that he would be in good hands while there. 2nd son was at the airport locally and wrenching, not peaceful or reassuring.

Its not that one doubts the church's ability and desire to take care of our kids, but there is something reassuring about physically seeing it -when its possible. And it is not possible for everyone, but why must we take it away from those that could have it?

We were thrilled with our sons choices to serve and that is the most important thing. Parting with my sons for 2 years is also the greatest sacrifice I've ever had to make, and while it was made willingly, that doesn't mean that it was easy.

Traditions like the MTC and farewells ease the way for families and often do provide inspiration to others.

Anon 808 | 4:32 p.m. June 7, 2009

'I do not love my the people of Pago Pago enough to send them my Son, but it is evident that Jesus Christ does so its alright with me"

When I attended the Institute of Religion at Eastern Arizona College (1/2 block from President Kimballs boyhood home).

One of the Happiest times was when Mission Calls came. No matter where you where being sent it was wonderful and everyone made the correct PC Comments, now and then someone would ask "Where is that place " I am a Geo Pert and always knew where stuff was, and they would go oh, then go look it up. We where just shy of the Web. However everyone would be happy for the soon to be departing Missionary. Someone from the Institute was always at the send off.

Like Baptisms in that area who was there depended on who was going. For those leaving from the Institute the students had a goodbye event.

I was able to see a few return, I had my Diploma by then but word travels fast when the phone # only has 4 digits. (One Prefix).

People said good bye how they needed to.

No big deal | 12:47 p.m. June 8, 2009

I think that people should not be fussing about whether or not they get to go to the orientation.

I understand the traditions and stuff, but the fact is that we need to level the playing field for everyone. Not everyone is blessed to have their family living in Utah close by.

The other MTC's in the world have been doing it this way now for many years. I am surprised this didn't happen sooner.

I hope that people realize that this isn't about missionaries, it's about missionary service. We should not let anything, even the missionaries or the goodbyes, get in the way of the most important thing...missionary work.

We don't go up to the full-time elders serving in our areas the day of their transfers and have orientation meetings and hang on to their ankles embarrassing them to death as they're leaving. Why should we do it with our sons and daughters?

It's two years--not an eternity. It may seem like an eternity when they're first gone, but you'll get over it and move on.

I Understand this..BUT | 10:35 p.m. June 8, 2009

we are getting less time with the family. What an honor to put the badge on the missionary during the final farewell....but no more. We are still a family church, but we get less time due to new Church policies.

Oh Well...Called to Serve

Joanie in Japan | 9:01 p.m. June 12, 2009

Konnichi wa! All I know is I have tears and a lump in my throat just thinking about dropping my son off in August..we don't know any different as he is the first in our family to serve a mission. Whether I go in or say goodbye at the curb, it is going to be difficult..but I also know our family will be so blessed by his choice. There will be comfort in that!

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9 photos

Stuart Johnson, Deseret News

A busy but fast moving day for families of missionaries to drop them off and say their goodbyes on the curb at the MTC in Provo. Wednesday was the first day with the new policy.

Gallery (9 photos)