The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely recognised as the Mormon church, has enacted a landmark policy change, announcing that women can now serve as missionaries from the age of 18.
This significant decision, revealed on Friday, aligns the minimum age requirement for female missionaries with that of their male counterparts, reducing it by one year from the previous standard of 19.
A Watershed Moment for Gender Equality
Heralded as one of the first major directives under the leadership of new church President Dallin H. Oaks, this move is set to equalise opportunities within the Utah-based faith. The church boasts a global membership of 17.5 million people.
The policy appears to be a direct response to the increasing involvement of young women in the church's worldwide missionary programmes. These missions are considered pivotal rites of passage, serving to recruit new members, disseminate doctrine, strengthen individual faith, and prepare many for future leadership roles within their congregations.
This marks the first adjustment to missionary age rules since 2012. A decade ago, the minimum age for female missionaries was lowered from 21 to 19, while for men it was reduced from 19 to 18. That earlier change was seen as a watershed moment, leading to a remarkable surge in mission applications, which reportedly doubled within days.
Projected Growth and Enduring Disparities
The 2012 rule change resulted in a substantial increase in women serving missions. According to church spokesperson Sam Penrod, approximately 25,000 of the church's 85,000 current missionaries are women. This equates to 29% of the missionary force, a figure that has held steady over the past decade and is more than double the 12% represented by women prior to 2012.
Researchers anticipate the new change will lead to an even greater number of women serving. Matt Martinich, a church growth researcher for The Cumorah Project, stated, "It shows more equality in terms of missionary opportunity." He added that mission presidents have reported women often tend to be more effective as teachers and proselytisers.
Church spokesperson Doug Andersen said this shift reflects President Oaks' desire to provide "additional options and flexibility for young women" who wish to serve. The announcement of 55 new worldwide missions for the coming year will also help accommodate the expected increase in demand.
However, some disparities remain. The length of missions continues to be longer for men, at two years, compared to 18 months for women. Furthermore, in the official statement, the church emphasised that while every "worthy, able young man" should prepare to serve a mission, it remains an optional pursuit for women. The faith's top leadership roles are also still reserved for men.
Context of Recent Changes and Member Reactions
This policy revision follows another recent change for women in the church. Last month, the church made available sleeveless versions of the sacred undergarments worn by female members. Social media platforms were abuzz with images of long queues, predominantly of women, waiting outside specialty stores to purchase the new items, which many said offered improved comfort and fashion compatibility.
For members like LeAnne Tolley, a Latter-day Saint from Utah, the missionary age change is a source of excitement. She expressed her enthusiasm for her 14-year-old granddaughter, who aspires to serve as a missionary. Tolley noted the differing expectations within the faith, recalling that her son served a mission at 19, while her daughter did not.
She also observed a revival of interest among youth in her congregation and the surrounding area, who are eager to share their beliefs and, more importantly, offer hope in what they perceive as an increasingly hopeless world. "Most religions — not just ours — seem to be experiencing this revival especially with young people," she remarked.
