For the first time, the global missionary force of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has crossed the 90,000 mark.
This unprecedented milestone is anchored by another historic first: more than 30,000 young women are currently in the field, marking the largest gathering of sister missionaries in Church history. Across more than 500 missions worldwide, these young ambassadors are dedicating their daily lives to teaching the gospel, lifting local communities, and extending the Savior’s invitation to “come unto Christ.”
The Surge of a Willing Generation
The rapid expansion of the sister missionary force follows the November 2025 policy adjustment allowing young women to begin their full-time service at age 18 upon completing high school or its equivalent. As the initial wave of these young women entered the field earlier this year, service numbers climbed sharply—most notably across the United States.
Addressing incoming mission leaders in June, President Dallin H. Oaks pointed to this season as a defining chapter in the work:
“Missionary work is soaring to new heights. We are currently being reinforced by the first wave of 18-year-old sisters beginning their service.”
At that gathering, the worldwide force stood at just over 87,000. President Oaks anticipated that a new all-time high was imminent—a threshold that has now officially been crossed.
Deepening Roots: Seminary, Institute, and Youth Engagement
The expansion in missionary service mirrors a broader spiritual momentum taking place among youth and young adults:
- Record-Breaking Enrollment: A combined total of more than 1.09 million students are currently participating in Seminary and Institute of Religion classes worldwide.
- Institute Expansion: Over the past two years, institute programs have added over 100,000 young adults, bringing current enrollment past 450,000.
- Consistent Youth Activity: Over the last decade, sustained data reveals rising levels of active engagement across children, youth, and young adult demographics.
These programs offer more than academic study; they serve as gathering places where youth build foundational faith, anchor themselves in the scriptures, and form lasting bonds centered on discipleship.
A Worldwide Harvest of Faith
The surge in missionaries aligns with steady international growth across the global membership, which reached 17,887,212 in 2025 following the addition of more than 900,000 converts over the prior three-year window.
During the first half of 2025 alone, convert baptisms rose by over 20 percent across Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific, accompanied by a 17 percent increase in North America.
For leadership, these figures carry meaning far beyond statistics. They point to personal turning points—individuals and families discovering real purpose, resilience, and belonging through the message of the restored gospel.
As President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, observed:
“The growth of the Church will accelerate when they find the gospel of Jesus Christ presented by missionaries. They see hope.”
President Oaks affirmed that the enduring appeal of the message lies in its transformative power in everyday life:
“It’s a gospel of happiness and growth and information about the purpose of life. People who subscribe to its doctrine find that it makes their life more happy, more significant, more resistant to the difficulties we all experience in mortal life, and more able to serve their fellow men and to raise their children.”
