Mormon church closing missionary training centers in Chile and Spain

SANTIAGO – The Mormon church has announced its plan to close two missionary training centers — one in Santiago, Chile, and the other in Madrid, Spain — in January.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a statement that ecclesiastical leaders “continue to seek the best use of resources worldwide according to the needs and demands of each area.”

Starting in January, missionaries who would have attended either of these centers will be trained at one of the remaining 13 missionary training centers around the world, including the flagship facility in Provo.

Both training centers are in church-owned buildings that also serve other church functions, such as temple patron housing, and the church will decide the best use of this space in the future, according to the news release.