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The younger age standards provide a new option for those who wish to serve a mission for the LDS Church, but is not mandatory. Men can serve at any age between 18 and 25 now, and women can serve at any age after 19. There is no official cap.

"I am not suggesting that all young men will or should serve at this earlier age," Monson said during the announcement.

At a press conference held just after the end of the 10 a.m. session of General Conference, Elders Jeffery Holland and Russell Nelson further emphasized that the change is not a "mandate or an edict." The only other requirement is that men be graduated from high school prior to leaving on their missions.

So what's the BIG Deal? You can go early but don't have too. How about NOT GOING AT ALL!

Also Note that there is no Mention of Being an Eagle Scout

The Mighty Builder wrote:So what's the BIG Deal? You can go early but don't have too.

The significant thing is that women can go at age nineteen now. I suspect we're going to see a lot more women go than have previously gone.

Does anyone think this is really going to be viewed as optional? We all know the bishops will be bugging the boys their senior year about why they haven't put in their papers yet. This is all but guaranteed. If a young 18 year old graduates high school and then goes to college for a year, even to a place like BYU, he'll be viewed with suspicion, and people will wonder what his problem is.

Sethbag wrote:Does anyone think this is really going to be viewed as optional? We all know the bishops will be bugging the boys their senior year about why they haven't put in their papers yet. This is all but guaranteed. If a young 18 year old graduates high school and then goes to college for a year, even to a place like BYU, he'll be viewed with suspicion, and people will wonder what his problem is.

I think offering more time may matter to some. I'm sure some will take it as more freedom and that's that... but you are right: Going earlier will be the new status quo and the general believing population will bend and sway under the hands of the GA's as they have always.