The First Presidency shared a landmark announcement that opened a new door for the youth of the Church. With immediate effect, they declared that young women who wish to serve a full-time mission no longer have to wait—they can now begin their service at age 18, as soon as they have graduated from high school.
In sharing this news, the Brethren took a moment to clarify the nature of this call. They reiterated that while young men hold a priesthood responsibility to prepare for and serve missions, the invitation for young women remains a completely optional opportunity. They acknowledged that every sister is unique; for some, leaving at 18 is the right path, while for others, a different timeline may be better.
Ultimately, the announcement was a message of love, commending the young women of the Church for their faithfulness and giving them the agency to choose when to serve.
