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Record number reflects historic level of 30,000 women serving as missionaries; levels of youth participation continue to grow

For the first time in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more than 90,000 full-time missionaries are serving around the world.

This milestone was announced this week. It also includes another historic number — more than 30,000 sister missionaries, the largest group of young women ever to serve full-time missions in the Church.

These missionaries are serving in more than 500 missions across the globe. They share the gospel of Jesus Christ, serve in local communities, and invite others to come unto Him.

Why the Numbers Are Rising

Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The increase in sister missionaries follows a decision announced by the First Presidency in November 2025. Young women who choose to serve full-time missions can now begin their service at age 18, after graduating from high school or its equivalent.

ఈ సంవత్సరం ప్రారంభంలో, 18 సంవత్సరాల వయసులో మిషన్ సేవ ప్రారంభించే మొదటి సిస్టర్ మిషనరీల బృందం మిషన్ ఫీల్డ్‌లోకి వెళ్లడం ప్రారంభించింది. ఈ మార్పు వల్ల మిషన్ సేవ చేయాలని ఎంచుకుంటున్న యువతుల సంఖ్య ఎక్కువగా  పెరిగింది. వీరిలో ఎక్కువ మంది అమెరికా నుంచి ఉన్నారు.

President Dallin H. Oaks spoke about this growth while addressing new mission leaders in June 2026:

"Missionary work is soaring to new heights. We are currently being reinforced by the first wave of 18-year-old sisters beginning their service." — President Dallin H. Oaks

At that time, more than 87,000 full-time missionaries were serving. President Oaks told the leaders that the Church would soon have "the largest number of full-time missionaries in the Church's history." That milestone has now been reached.

A Rising Generation of Faith

Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The growth in missionary service is part of a larger pattern among the Church's youth and young adults.

More than 1.09 million youth and young adults worldwide are now enrolled in seminary and institute programmes — the highest number in the history of these programmes. Institutes of religion alone have added more than 100,000 students in the past two years and now serve over 450,000 young adults.

These programmes help young people study the scriptures, deepen their faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and gather with others who want to follow the Saviour.

Together with the rising number of missionaries, these trends show a generation of young Latter-day Saints choosing to participate more fully in the Church and strengthen their commitment to Jesus Christ.

Growth Around the World

Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This increase in youth engagement is part of broader growth across the Church.

Over the past three years, more than 900,000 people have joined the Church worldwide. Total membership reached 17,887,212 in 2025.

In the first six months of 2025, convert baptisms increased by more than 20 percent in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America, and by 17 percent in North America.

For Church leaders and members, these numbers represent more than statistics. They reflect individual decisions by people of all ages to worship, serve, and make Jesus Christ a more central part of their lives.

In the Words of Church Leaders

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, said:

"The growth of the Church will accelerate when they find the gospel of Jesus Christ presented by missionaries. They see hope." — President Henry B. Eyring

"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." — President Dallin H. Oaks

Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Key Numbers at a Glance

• More than 90,000 full-time missionaries now serving worldwide — a first in Church history
• Over 30,000 sister missionaries — the largest group of women missionaries ever
• More than 500 missions around the world
• 1.09 million youth and young adults enrolled in seminary and institute — highest in history
• Over 450,000 young adults now served by institutes of religion
• More than 900,000 people joined the Church in the past three years
• Total Church membership: 17,887,212 (2025)
• Convert baptisms up 20% in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Pacific and Latin America (first half of 2025)
• Convert baptisms up 17% in North America (first half of 2025)

This is a quiet but powerful moment in the history of the Church. Across the world, more young people are choosing to serve, study, and follow Jesus Christ.

And that brings hope.

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