SALT LAKE CITY — The Mormon church will lower its minimum age requirements for missionaries from 19 to 18 for men and from 21 to 19 for women, the faith's president announced Saturday.
Thomas S. Monson said at the church's 182nd semiannual General Conference that the historic change is expected to significantly increase the missionary force of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — currently more than 55,000 worldwide.
The new age requirements will take effect immediately and replace limits that had been in effect for decades. Mormon men serve full-time, two-year missions, while women serve 18-month missions.
"I am not suggesting that all young men will — or should — serve at this earlier age," Monson said, adding it's an option based on individual circumstances and a determination by local church leaders.
Missionaries must be graduates of high school or its equivalent, he said.
Monson also said the church will build temples in Tucson, Ariz., and Arequipa, Peru. In Arizona, three temples already are in operation and two others — in Phoenix and Gilbert — were under construction. The state is home to about 400,000 church members.
The temple in Arequipa will be the third in Peru, which has more than 500,000 church members. Members in Arequipa, Peru's second most populous city, currently attend temple services about 500 miles away in Lima.
The church, with its more than 14.1 million members, has 139 operating temples worldwide and has another 29 planned or under construction.
At a later news conference, Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said church leaders were unsure how many more missionaries would serve due to the lowered age requirements but they expect a boost.
He also said leaders considered extending the length of missions for women to two years, but decided to see how the lower age goes first before possibly taking that step, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Tens of thousands of Mormon faithful were gathering in Salt Lake City through Sunday for the general conference.
downtownresident posted at 3:23 pm on Sat, Oct 6, 2012.
Mitt's minions at work.
It also opens up a new market for Mormon clothing stores.[beam]
Juggernaut8000 posted at 3:40 pm on Sat, Oct 6, 2012.
Religion is a complete fairy tale and it's pathetic adults still buy into this nonsense.
tededitedit posted at 8:27 pm on Sat, Oct 6, 2012.
This is going to put pressure on even more young girls to accept promise, engagement, or wedding rings and move in with their boyfriend's "perfect Mormon family" while he's on his mission. Thanks Mitt, for getting us to delve deeper into the origins and practices of the LDS organization. Shame on you Mormons for your brainwashing, "love bombing", "flirt convert", and "conversion by dating" tactics. I truly hope one of your upcoming divine policy change memos orders the release of these captive girls.
soricobob posted at 5:49 am on Sun, Oct 7, 2012.
Did he read that in a hat?
hotingilbert posted at 10:42 am on Sun, Oct 7, 2012.
These comments are just plain stupid. Ted edit takes his silliness to a new level of lies and distortions. Time to get a life people.
Cas Lee posted at 7:51 pm on Sun, Oct 28, 2012.
Hello, my fellow American voters!
I watched the Oct. 3rd, 11th, 16th, and 22nd debates.
1st Romney-Obama debate covered 7 topics: jobs; budget deficit/debt; social security/entitlements; federal gov’t economic regulation and role; healthcare; partisan gridlock.
2nd Romney-Obama debate covered 11 topics: college graduate jobs; gas prices; taxes; equal pay; Bush policies; Obama’s record; illegal immigrants; Libya; assault weapons; jobs; candidate misperceptions.
3rd Romney-Obama debate covered 10 topics: Libya; Syria; Egypt; U.S. world role; military spending; Israel; Iran; Afghanistan; China; U.S. national security threats.
Ryan-Biden debate covered 10 topics: Libya; Iran; economy; medicare/social security/entitlements; tax reform/spending/budget cuts; military policy; Afghanistan; Syria; abortion; negative campaign tactics.
Romney and Ryan won all 4 debates, although Obama improved some in the 2nd debate and Romney slightly took the win both in the 2nd and 3rd debates.
In the 3rd debate (unlike in prior debates), Obama reflected his weakness and disrespect by interrupting Romney a lot and using too many “one-line quips” to try to denigrate Romney.
Ryan won despite Biden’s consistently rude behavior during the debate (often interrupted Ryan, laughed when Ryan talked, pointed his finger). Biden’s tactics to evade issues/truth disrespected Americans interested in facts, figures, forecasts, and solutions for real people with real problems.
Romney and Ryan won with substance, directness, integrity, respect, clarity, facts, commitment, inspiration, credibility, and leadership.
As an INDEPENDENT female feminist (egalitarian) voter, I support the Romney/Ryan ticket.
Romney and Ryan, with their no-nonsense and methodic approach to solving America’s problems, are the best persons in terms of qualifications and character to lead our country and make life better for all Americans.
I am inspired by Romney/Ryan, and I hope that you are too!
Best regards,
Cas Lee