November 21, 2025, 10:33am MST
Young women who want to serve as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can now do so from the age of 18, the church announced Friday, Nov. 21.
According to the statement:
“The First Presidency is pleased to announce that, effective immediately, young women who choose to serve as full-time missions may begin their service at age 18 after graduating from high school or equivalent high school.
“While the Lord calls all capable and worthy young people to prepare and serve a mission as part of their priesthood responsibility, we reiterate that missionary service remains an optional opportunity for young women. For young women who desire a full-time mission, we recognize that the choice of age at which to begin service is not the same for everyone.
“We love the youth of the Church and praise their faithfulness.”
This announcement was made in general conference on October 6, 2012, 13 years after the last age change for eligible missionary service.
Previously, male missionaries could begin their missions at the age of 19, and female missionaries could begin their missions at the age of 21. The age change, announced by the late President Thomas S. Monson, moved young men and young women to 18 and 19, respectively.
After receiving feedback from sister missionaries and young women and women in the Church, central authorities consulted and reached the decision, announced today, that young men and young women should be able to serve missions at the same age.
As age changes, the spontaneous nature of young women’s ability to serve missions remains the same. Young men are called to serve missions as part of their priesthood responsibility. Opportunities for young women are strictly voluntary.
The late President Russell M. Nelson reiterated the priesthood’s responsibility in the ministry in April 2022 general conference.
Women have served as missionaries since the early days of the restored Church. The first Sister Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began serving in the British Mission in 1898.
Thirteen years ago, as times changed, missionaries began flooding into the mission field. More than 80,000 full-time missionaries are currently serving. The Church does not say it expects a flood of sister missionaries to serve, but encourages them to pray to find out whether the Lord wants them to serve in the ministry.
In October, the church announced plans to create 55 missions starting July 1, 2026. The 55 new missions bring the Church to 506 missions around the world, the most in Church history.
There is no change to when missionary candidates can open the Missionary Portal and serve as missionaries. That timing has recently changed, allowing missionary candidates to open their mission portal 150 days before their missionary acceptance date.
