New missionary applications up from 700 to 4000 a week

[_Drifting]

Given the rise in applications we should expect to see a 471% increase in Missionary numbers, at least for the initial 12 month period where the change overlaps with 19 year olds going on missions.

We should therefore expect the number of missionaries to rise to about 260,000 within the next year.

I guess we should also expect the number of converts to increase by the same amount - meaning next Conference the reports should show about 1.5 million new converts.

If those 471% increases don't happen what would that mean?

[_lostindc]

Yep. All those youngsters who now suddenly qualify. They'll be dropping out of college to serve the church.

Wonder how BYU will deal with the smaller numbers in the next several semesters.

They are not exactly dropping out of college. Most will go on their mission after high school and then prepare for college when they return. If one thinks about it seriously, they will be more mature to enter college with wonderful study habits.

absurd

I am guessing you are not a parent. An 18 year old has no business serving a two year mission between high school and the start of college/trade/employment. Most adults have barely grasped their existential ideals and we are force feeding a faith down youngsters throats and pushing them out the door to spread the faith in a sales pyramid manner. The Church needs to imitate the Jehovahs Witness and start having their adults do the missionary work as a part time activity.

[_Tchild]

This move to me seems somewhat irreversible. If they continue this policy for a few years you'll see the number of missionaries level out. But from that point if they tried to go back to 19 for men and 21 for women you'll see the exact opposite of this happen. The number of missionaries will crash.

It will level off in exactly one year. By dropping the age requirement by one year, they have allowed a batch of kids to serve a year earlier than planned. After one year, applications will level out. After two years the number serving in the field will be back to where it is today.

[_Stormy Waters]

It will level off in exactly one year. By dropping the age requirement by one year, they have allowed a batch of kids to serve a year earlier than planned. After one year, applications will level out. After two years the number serving in the field will be back to where it is today.

I do think you'll see an increase due to the younger ages. Young men will now have no time or independence to escape the social pressure to go. Same goes for the women.
Perhaps it will be only a marginal increase but I'd surprised if it returned to the exactly same levels. But you're right we'll see the end result in about two years.

[_Fence Sitter]

This move to me seems somewhat irreversible. If they continue this policy for a few years you'll see the number of missionaries level out. But from that point if they tried to go back to 19 for men and 21 for women you'll see the exact opposite of this happen. The number of missionaries will crash.

It will level off in exactly one year. By dropping the age requirement by one year, they have allowed a batch of kids to serve a year earlier than planned. After one year, applications will level out. After two years the number serving in the field will be back to where it is today.

I agree with it leveling out but it will take two years because of the shift for girls. I also think they will not revert to today's numbers in that time. They will be adding those kids that would have decided not to go in the year(s) after high school and even more the kids that became ineligible for moral reasons. Notice the numbers for online applications are skewed heavily toward female missionaries. I expect their numbers to increase substantially even after the leveling out period. There is now two years less from them to get married before deciding on a mission.

[_lulu]

Big increase in the # of women applying. That was the main goal. That bubble will last for at least 2 years (21-19=2). And could last longer if women are more likely overall to go at 19 rather than 21.

[_just me]

Big increase in the # of women applying. That was the main goal. That bubble will last for at least 2 years (21-19=2). And could last longer if women are more likely overall to go at 19 rather than 21.

Yeppers.

And to why me, those who are opening applications today are very likely women who are in college at the present time. That means they will be dropping out of college to serve a mission. Or, taking a break, if you like that terminology better.

We will have to wait and see how this affects marriage age and degree status among males and females in the church. Oh, and retention, since that is really what this is all about.

[_LDS truthseeker]

Get them before Google does.

[_why me]

And in what way did a year and a half of unquestioning acceptance and parroting of the LDS faith-promoting sales pitch help them develop critical thinking skills so they would perform better in college than people who have not served LDS missions?

Lets try this again: it makes no difference if they are 19 or 18, critical thinking skills are not on the agenda. One does not get critical thinking skills after one year in college. Rather it is a process that one has to be taught. Critical thinking is basically a questioning process and the ability to weigh ideas reflectively before making a judgement. They do not get such a background after one year in college.

However, they do get wonderful study habits after serving a mission. And they get some discipline in their young lives. All needed at 18 years of age.

[_why me]

Yeppers.

And to why me, those who are opening applications today are very likely women who are in college at the present time. That means they will be dropping out of college to serve a mission. Or, taking a break, if you like that terminology better.

And that will be their choice. No problem.