Lowering The Missionary Age For Men And Women

[why me]

I think that this is a great idea mainly because in Europe many young men have to serve in the military and this lowering of the age would greatly benefit them. Also, it is wonderful that young women can now serve at 19. This is wonderful too because they can serve a mission, return just after the age of twenty and begin to think about school and life.

Thumbs up.

[Saints Alive]

I wonder if too many young people were falling away and this is an attempt to glue them to the church.

[why me]

I wonder if too many young people were falling away and this is an attempt to glue them to the church.

No. It is mainly because the church is now a world wide church and it makes it easier for young men to serve. In many countries, young men need to serve in the army. This can take well over a year in the life of the young man. If we consider these type of commitments it makes sense to lower the age. By the time of 22, mission and military service are over and life can begin.

[Saints Alive]

No. It is mainly because the church is now a world wide church and it makes it easier for young men to serve. In many countries, young men need to serve in the army. This can take well over a year in the life of the young man. If we consider these type of commitments it makes sense to lower the age. By the time of 22, mission and military service are over and life can begin.

then why make it a world wide change instead of just a local one?

[Bikeemikey]

then why make it a world wide change instead of just a local one?

He specifically made mention of the 17 year age drop being decided in collaboration with leadership and when occasion requires.

[Whiskeypete]

So, what will this do to missionary numbers over the next 2-3 years. You'll have a huge influx of 18 year old missionaries (Mostly after HS Graduation in June). This bubble will take 2-3 years to flow through and then will settle out again.

But for the next couple of years, the numbers could jump from 55,000 to (guessing here) maybe 70,000?

[why me]

then why make it a world wide change instead of just a local one?

Because it worked. The 18 year olds did well and this example made it possible to lower the age across the board.

[why me]

So, what will this do to missionary numbers over the next 2-3 years. You'll have a huge influx of 18 year old missionaries (Mostly after HS Graduation in June). This bubble will take 2-3 years to flow through and then will settle out again.

But for the next couple of years, the numbers could jump from 55,000 to (guessing here) maybe 70,000?

The world is also in a rush.When a person is nineteen and is an american, they can have one year of school behind them. This can create a problem for those serving because when they return they have to pick up on their studies. This way, they serve after high school and can apply for school when they get home. it simplifies life and also it creates a great study tool for college entrance exams.

[Tacenda]

The world is also in a rush.When a person is nineteen and is an american, they can have one year of school behind them. This can create a problem for those serving because when they return they have to pick up on their studies. This way, they serve after high school and can apply for school when they get home. it simplifies life and also it creates a great study tool for college entrance exams.

I agree with this. I at first felt 18 seemed so young but I guess if 18 yr. olds go off to college so can they also go off to a mission. And learn valuable lessons to prepare them for school.

[why me]

I agree with this. I at first felt 18 seemed so young but I guess if 18 yr. olds go off to college so can they also go off to a mission. And learn valuable lessons to prepare them for school.

Many missionaries from america have one year of school behind them when they serve a mission. This is not good. And if we think about it, a mission is rather organized. This will prepare the young man for college and a life away from home.

[Avatar4321]

It's a good change. And anyone who thinks it's too young, remember Joseph F Smith went on his first mission at age 14. In fact, before modern times, people that young we working and startng families. George Washington was a professional surveyor in the wilderness at an early age. John Quincy Adams was serving over seas for the nation at around 14. The fact that we treat teenagers as children, doesnt mean they are.

[rpn]

His language suggested that he doesn't expect most missionaries to go at 18, but rather that for some 18 years old will make the most sense.

[why me]

His language suggested that he doesn't expect most missionaries to go at 18, but rather that for some 18 years old will make the most sense.

Especially in europe where they have military service and in russia. Also, it may pay to go on a mission first before one goes off to college.

[Traela]

I think the big change will be in the number of young women who choose to serve. I've generally thought that age 21 was sort of an awkward time to go. I'm sure there have been many who just couldn't see any sense in going when they had just one year of college left.

As for the young men, we have had many from our area go straight from high school to military. They at least initially plan to serve a mission after a few years, but usually don't. I think this will make it easier for those who want to serve both Church and country. It also gives another option to those who haven't decided yet what schooling or career to pursue.

[why me]

As for the young men, we have had many from our area go straight from high school to military. They at least initially plan to serve a mission after a few years, but usually don't. I think this will make it easier for those who want to serve both Church and country. It also gives another option to those who haven't decided yet what schooling or career to pursue.

Which was one reason for the change. In many countries, military service is mandatory and this creates a problem if one needs to serve a mission, do military service and apply to a university. The lowering of the age allows for more flexibility.

[Sky]

I think this is a great change! i also noticed how President Monson said that he wasn't necessarily recommending everybody go at age 18, but simply that it is now an option if they have the desire and are ready.

I think it is a commendable thing for anybody to be able to go, especially so young, because hopefully it means they have strong testimonies and have kept themselves worthy.

[Duncan]

that's the key word "option"

[bdouglas]

Great news! My 17 year old son can go on his mission now in a year, immediately he graduates from HS.

[The Grimace]

I wonder if too many young people were falling away and this is an attempt to glue them to the church.

Yes. This is the reason.

[rongo]

Especially in europe where they have military service and in russia. Also, it may pay to go on a mission first before one goes off to college.

I had a mission companion in Germany who was 26 and had graduated from college with a degree in economics. He was near the end of his mission when I was with him, and he kept getting letters from the army telling him that they knew where he was, they knew when he was coming home, and he still had to do his Wehrdienst (military service). It weighed on him, but he still harbored the hope that he wouldn't have to because of his age.

[why me]

I had a mission companion in Germany who was 26 and had graduated from college with a degree in economics. He was near the end of his mission when I was with him, and he kept getting letters from the army telling him that they knew where he was, they knew when he was coming home, and he still had to do his Wehrdienst (military service). It weighed on him, but he still harbored the hope that he wouldn't have to because of his age.

26 is quite old. Usually the service begins at nineteen or twenty. This was his problem. It should go like this now: mission, army and then college. One is free by the age of 22 for school.

[cursor]

For those not yet familiar with the changes in age for male and female missionaries:

News of lower mission age excites Mormons

All faithful Mormon men can go on full-time, two-year missions at age 18, rather than 19, as has been the practice for decades. In addition, LDS women can serve at age 19, rather than waiting until age 21. Their missions will continue to last for 18 months.

Church leaders said they were making the move because "the Lord is hastening his work" and needs more missionaries to spread the Mormon message. According to a news release, church leaders expect the lower age requirement to "significantly increase" their missionary force — which stands at more than 58,000 worldwide.

[Calm]

My son's birthday is in March and he decided rather than going to university for a semester only, he would just work until his mission. However he didn't get called to go out until the summer for some reason (other men in the ward were going out as soon as they were 19) so he was unhappy with losing that year, especially when he would have gotten a tuition break because of his dad which did not apply once he got married so he would have saved several thousands of dollars. This makes it easier to time when one leaves to avoid months of just passing time.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

My son's birthday is in March and he decided rather than going to university for a semester only, he would just work until his mission. However he didn't get called to go out until the summer for some reason (other men in the ward were going out as soon as they were 19) so he was unhappy with losing that year, especially when he would have gotten a tuition break because of his dad which did not apply once he got married so he would have saved several thousands of dollars. This makes it easier to time when one leaves to avoid months of just passing time.

I have been married for 36 years...I still don't have 1,000's tell him to take heart.

[Calm]

He's doing better then we did so I don't think in the long run it will annoy him so much.