How to Send a Letter to the MTC for Free

If you only do one thing for your missionary at the MTC, send a letter. Ask missionaries what they look forward to most and the answer is almost always the same: a handwritten note from home is the number one most-loved item. Not treats, not gadgets — words from the people who love them. And you can send letters for free.

Why letters matter so much

The MTC is intense: long study days, a brand-new routine, and the first real stretch away from home for many. In the middle of that, a letter carries your voice and handwriting, can be read and reread on hard days, and never melts or spoils. A note tucked in a pocket becomes a quiet source of strength all week.

Free option one: Rushly's free letters

Rushly lets you send letters to the Provo MTC for free through our letter option. You write your note, we deliver it — no postage, no trip to the post office. Because Rushly delivers same-day to the MTC across the Wasatch Front (Monday through Friday), your words reach your missionary fast. You don't need a special occasion; a two-line "we're so proud of you" is plenty.

Free option two: DearElder

Many families also use DearElder, a long-standing service that lets you type a letter online to be printed and delivered to missionaries. It's another no-cost way to get words to your missionary, popular for quick, frequent notes.

What you'll need first: the address

Like any send, a letter needs your missionary's complete MTC mailing address, including their mailbox number. That comes from the email your missionary receives a few days before entering, or straight from them. If you don't have it yet, see How to Find Your Missionary's MTC Mailing Address. And send while they're still on site — English-speaking missionaries are typically there about three weeks, language missionaries longer. More in How Long Do Missionaries Stay at the MTC?.

Tips for letters they'll treasure

A great letter isn't about length or polish — it's about connection:

• Be specific. Mention the dog, the neighbor, the dinner that didn't turn out.

• Keep it encouraging. Acknowledge the hard parts, but leave them lifted.

• Ask questions. It gives them something to write back about.

• Include the little stuff — a funny story, an inside joke, a "remember when."

• Add a printed photo when you can. A familiar face on the wall means a lot.

• Write often, even briefly. A short note every few days beats one long letter.

Staring at a blank page? Try a snapshot of an ordinary day, a shared memory, one genuine compliment, or a simple "I'm proud of you" with a reason why. For more prompts, see What to Write in a Letter to Your Missionary.

Make letters a family thing

Letters mean even more coming from across the family. Assign days (Mom writes Mondays, a sibling writes Thursdays), have younger kids draw pictures, and loop in grandparents, who often write the most treasured notes of all. For more, see How to Get the Whole Family to Write Your Missionary.

When you're ready to send a treat too

Letters pair beautifully with a small package. If you want to add a few shelf-stable goodies, Rushly delivers same-day across the Wasatch Front — just remember the mailroom has no refrigeration, so keep everything shelf-stable. See Can You Send Food to the MTC?, and for the full sending picture start with Sending Packages to the Provo MTC: The Complete Guide.