Groundbreaking Change: Young Women Can Now Serve Missions at 18

In a significant announcement that has resonated across the globe, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has declared a pivotal adjustment to its full-time missionary program: young women can now commence their missionary service at the age of 18, immediately following high school graduation or its equivalent. This latest update, shared by the First Presidency, marks a momentous evolution in LDS Church news and missionary opportunities.

A Unified Vision: Aligning Missionary Ages

For years, young men have been able to serve full-time missions starting at age 18, while young women traditionally began at 19. This recent decision harmonizes the starting age for both genders, reflecting a desire for greater equity and flexibility within the Church’s global missionary efforts. While the call to serve remains a priesthood responsibility for worthy young men, missionary service for young women continues to be an optional, yet deeply cherished, opportunity.

The First Presidency statement emphasized this distinction: “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.” They further extended love and commendation to the faithful youth of the Church, acknowledging that the optimal age for commencing service might vary for each individual.

Historical Context: A Legacy of Service and Adaptation

This isn’t the first time the Church has adjusted missionary age requirements. The last major change occurred on October 6, 2012, when the late President Thomas S. Monson announced that young men could begin serving at 18 (down from 19) and young women at 19 (down from 21). This earlier adjustment led to a notable surge in missionary numbers worldwide.

The decision to further lower the age for young women to 18 comes after extensive feedback and counsel from sister missionaries, young women, and women throughout the Church, culminating in a consensus among general authorities. It underscores the Church’s commitment to adapting its programs to better serve its members while maintaining core principles.

The Enduring Role of Sister Missionaries

Women have played an integral role in missionary work since the early days of the restored Church. The first sister missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began their service in 1898 in the British Mission, paving the way for countless women to share their faith globally. Today, sister missionaries are vital to the Church’s expansive efforts, bringing unique perspectives, talents, and spiritual strengths to their assignments.

Currently, more than 80,000 full-time missionaries are serving around the world. While the Church doesn’t anticipate an immediate “large influx” of new sister missionaries as a direct result of this age change, it continues to encourage young women to prayerfully consider if missionary service is the right path for them, emphasizing personal revelation in this significant decision.

Expanding Reach: New Missions and Future Horizons

In related Latter-day Saint missions news, the Church recently announced plans to establish 55 new missions, effective July 1, 2026. This expansion will bring the total number of missions worldwide to 506—the highest in Church history—signaling a robust commitment to sharing the gospel globally.

The process for prospective missionaries to apply remains consistent, with individuals able to access the missionary portal 150 days before their desired availability date. This ensures ample time for preparation and processing, whether they are young men fulfilling a priesthood responsibility or young women embracing an optional, yet profoundly impactful, opportunity to serve.

Conclusion: An Era of Enhanced Opportunity

This latest age adjustment for young women represents a significant step forward in the flexibility and accessibility of missionary service within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It provides greater choice and earlier opportunities for those called to share their faith, further enriching the global tapestry of the Church’s missionary force. As church news continues to evolve, this announcement stands as a testament to the ongoing adaptation and inspired leadership guiding the Church’s mission to invite all to come unto Christ.