So much for a big announcement being a rumor!

[_Bob Loblaw]

Maybe I'm not seeing it, but this really isn't a huge change. Did anyone here even know that they last changed the eligible age back in 1960? This isn't any bigger than the switch to 18 months and then reversal of that in the 1980s. To me, a big announcement is--you know--big. This is just a policy change, somewhat significant, but not "big."

[_Tchild]

Maybe I'm not seeing it, but this really isn't a huge change. Did anyone here even know that they last changed the eligible age back in 1960? This isn't any bigger than the switch to 18 months and then reversal of that in the 1980s. To me, a big announcement is--you know--big. This is just a policy change, somewhat significant, but not "big."

Lets analyze how truly significant this "revelation" is.

Before - You get a year of college before a mission, work a job, date, save some money.
Now - You get that same year of college after a mission, work a job, date, save some money.

Before - You struggle to avoid masturbation, light or heavy petting, or outright fornication till' you enter the MTC
Now - You struggle to avoid masturbation, light or heavy petting, or outright fornication till' you enter the MTC...and you merely extend one year of struggle till after the mission, because, by God there is no way an RM wants to get married at age 20 while still in school.

Before - The mission president chides, guilts and cajoles you into seeking marriage within six months of returning from a mission (age 21.5-22 for most RMs)
Now - The mission president chides, guilts and cajoles you into seeking marriage within six months of returning home from a mission (age 20-22 for RMs).

Yep, this is monumental, huge, enormous.

[_sock puppet]

Maybe I'm not seeing it, but this really isn't a huge change. Did anyone here even know that they last changed the eligible age back in 1960? This isn't any bigger than the switch to 18 months and then reversal of that in the 1980s. To me, a big announcement is--you know--big. This is just a policy change, somewhat significant, but not "big."

It is big in the sense that it shows

• the thinking of the FP/12 to try to stem the hemorrhage of 18 years olds from the ranks of prospective missionaries
• the FP/12 realize that there is a problem in this respect
• in this day and age, when the last 'biggie' was no piercings for males, one per ear for females, this is a 'big' one, causes Holland to be 'giddy' with excitement
• LDS are so revelation-thirsty, the cameras were able to quickly focus on young people in the audience with their mouths agape in awe of hearing such a 'momentous', yes, 'historic' announcement

[_Drifting]

Liz, why do you see this as a 'big' announcement?

[_Tobin]

It's a BIG YAWN!

A smarter and more inspired announcement would have been to encourage young men and women to seek an education or trade first. Then if they want to dedicate a few years on service missions (either after they are married or before) in their communities and feel called by God to do so, the Church should support that. I would be highly encouraged by that kind of announcement instead and would be something I would encourage my family to do (and would do myself).

[_Kishkumen]

I agree that, as announcements go, the only thing that makes this big is the impact it has on those who were preparing with a departure at 19 in mind. Moreover, I see a lot of potential downsides in it.

In the end, it looks to me to be just another one of those periodic changes in policy regarding missions. I can't speak as to whether this is a revelation or inspired, and, to be honest, I don't really care. It is not significant enough for me to concern myself with even asking the question.