Holland at Press Conference after 1st Session

[_sock puppet]

Holland: "bordering on the giddy" about the news of these new ages for eligibility for beginning missions; thinks Elder Russell M Nelson has described it with 'stemwinder' enthusiasm. This was big news, but not broke to anyone outside the FP/12 prior to TSM's announcement this morning; TSM wanted to deliver this news.

Holland: COB doesn't know what the impact, in numbers will be, but they are preparing for possible expansions at the foreign MTCs, similar to the expansion of the MTC in Provo.

Holland: COB experience shows that having male and female missionaries 'works best when the sisters are older than the elders'. Peggy of SL Tribune asked why not the same ages for both genders, Holland: FP/12 wanted to address age now, 'had direction' and felt good.

Church News reporter (a female) asked how, with age 19 eligibility, will the sister missionaries get Relief Society experience serving older members, as boys get through the Aaronic Priesthood experience. Holland says that for pre-19 year old girls curriculum will be adjusted to better prepare.

Nelson: when these women return from their missions, they will be better equipped to serve in the Relief Society (obviously not quite getting the gist of the question).

Peggy of SL Tribune: How will the new age affect Utah's sports teams? Holland: they will have 4 full years of collegiate eligibility after returning from a mission that began right out of HS. [Might be a lot harder for the RM to get scholarships or even be considered for teams.]

One reporter just gushed (no question) how wonderful this "New Option" to go either at 18/HS grad or wait until 19.

[_lulu]

:COB doesn't know what the impact, in numbers will be, but they are preparing for possible expansions at the foreign MTCs, similar to the expansion of the MTC in Provo.

..............

Holland: says that for pre-19 year old girls curriculum will be adjusted to better prepare.

Definitely trying to pump up the missionary force in the face of demographic changes.

Thanks for putting that up SP

[_Cicero]

Holland: COB doesn't know what the impact, in numbers will be, but they are preparing for possible expansions at the foreign MTCs, similar to the expansion of the MTC in Provo.

If the motivation behind this wasn't clear from TSM's talk, it sure is now.

[_Sethbag]

One reporter just gushed (no question) how wonderful this "New Option" to go either at 18/HS grad or wait until 19.

Does anyone really believe this is an option?

I mean, imagine a kid who graduates from High School and says he wants to go to college for a year, rather than go straight to the MTC like all the other kids in his ward. You don't think the bishop, and parents, and nosy wardmembers, are going to wonder what's up with this kid?