SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says women can now serve missions starting at age 18.
The First Presidency announced Friday that, effective immediately, young women who wish to serve a full-time mission for the church can begin their service at age 18 after graduating from high school.
“While the Lord asks every worthy, able young man as part of his priesthood responsibility to prepare for and serve a mission, we reiterate that missionary service remains an optional opportunity for young women. We recognize that for those young women who desire to serve a full-time mission, the choice of age to begin service will not be the same for everyone,” a statement from the church said.
This change comes just a two days after the First Presidency announced the Saturday evening session of general conference will be discontinued.
Historically, men could serve missions at age 19 and women had to be 21, a practice that lasted from the early 1950s until 2012.
While opening the October general conference in 2012, then-church President Thomas S. Monson announced the missionary minimum age would be lowered to 18 for men and 19 for women.
This announcement comes as the church is reporting record numbers of missionaries serving. According to the church, the number of teaching and service missionaries, including senior missionaries, has increased from 65,000 at the end of 2022 to more than 84,000 current missionaries.
Missionaries serve in more than 150 countries and teach in more than 60 languages. Just last month, the church announced mission boundaries would be adjusted to create 55 new missions by July 1, 2026, increasing the total number of missions to 506.
“It is inspiring to see the number of young church members who continue to answer the call to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world,” said President Dallin H. Oaks, president of the church. “These missionaries are helping to bless the lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year who are choosing to be baptized into the Lord’s church.”
This story will be updated.
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