Missionary number has declined

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, ALarson said:

Again, why is this being discussed on 2 different threads?

I started my thread to provide perspective that I felt was missing here, particularly in the thread title. I explained in the OP of my thread:
 

Quote

 

Headlines and titles, while being technically accurate, can convey a false impression. Such is the case with a thread title currently on the board. It states "Missionary Number Has Declined".

To give some perspective, I am starting this thread. 

See the other thread for the background, but briefly stated, there were 58,000 missionaries when the age changes were announced in 2012. Today there are 75,000. That's a net increase of 17,000 or 29 percent in about three years. 

 

 

Edited February 11, 2016 by Scott Lloyd

[ALarson]

I realize that the net is an increase since the announcement of the age change (everyone knew there would be a surge, so nothing new there).  

But the numbers still reflect a "recent" decrease, correct? (As the OP states, down 14,000 from the end of 2014).  

Also, the only official number that's been released (that I've seen) is from the Mormon newsroom and it states that 74,079 missionaries are serving.  

Obviously the 75,000 number is rounded off (either up or down, but given the 74,079 from the newsroom it's most likely been rounded up).

. 

Edited February 11, 2016 by ALarson

[Mike Reed]

Bump!  http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/3730604-155/and-it-came-to-pass-that 

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, Mike Reed said:

Bump!  http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/3730604-155/and-it-came-to-pass-that 

Couple of things from this Tribune article:.

First:

Peggy Fletcher Stack corroborates the calculation I made a few weeks ago in this and another thread, for which I was criticized; namely, that the number leveling out at 75,000 amounts to a 29 percent increase over what it was in 2012 at the time the age changes for missionary service were announced. This is cause to rejoice.

From the article:

Quote

Today, the LDS missionary force is about 29 percent higher than before the lowered ages.

Second:

In the expected surge resulting from the age changes, the number of missionaries peaked at 89,000, then, as expected, began to taper off gradually, until now, the number has stabilized at 75,000 and is expected to gradually increase from there.

Again, from the article:

Quote

 

The LDS Church's full-time missionary force has settled at 75,000 after topping out at nearly 89,000 sometime last year, according to a leading Mormon official.

The higher number "stretched our resources," Brent H. Nielson said in a video interview released this week, adding that the current number "is where we think we'll stay for a period of time as that gradually increases."

 

So, we can be grateful that the  change in age of eligibility for missionary service has brought about a net increase over three years of 29 percent, and that the number is expected to gradually increase from there.

My thanks to Mike Reed for bringing this article to our attention.

Edited to add:

I note that the "LDS Newsroom" video interview from which this article was drawn was conducted in mid-February, so it is already about a month-and-a-half old. But it is noteworthy that Elder Neilson, as late as mid-February, was saying the total is 75,000. This contradicts stemelbow and Alarson, who were contending about that time that the number was 74,000.

Edited April 2, 2016 by Scott Lloyd