Lowering missionary age was to encourage more young marriages says Oaks

[I Have Questions]

Recently, the Church lowered the age at which females could serve missions, to match the age that a male can serve. If you thought that was a push for sexual equality you were mistaken. In an article in the SLT the real reason behind it comes out…

Lowering the minimum missionary age for young women from 19 to 18 was meant partly “to reduce the age of marriage” for couples in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

So said recently installed church President Dallin H. Oaks in an interview he and his wife, Kristen, had Saturday with the church-owned Deseret News and faith’s own communication department. The interview occurred in Burley, Idaho, where he dedicated a new temple.

“In the time that we have lowered the age for young men and for young women in the past, we’ve seen an increase in people who meet someone in the mission field and marry them,” Oaks went on to say, “which is perfectly appropriate if it doesn’t start too early in their missionary service.”

That is “part of the Lord’s plan to overcome the tendency of waiting until the late 20s to have a first marriage,” Oaks said. “I think we will see a reduction in the age of marriages for Latter-day Saints.”

I think this shows the concern the Church has in the dwindling pipeline of babies being produced by members, and the increasing likelihood that born in the church members will cease activity once they reach adulthood.

Here is a link to the Deseret News coverage of this in case the article hyperlink above refuses to work for you.
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/01/1 ... ley-idaho/

[Marcus]

...“part of the Lord’s plan to overcome the tendency of waiting until the late 20s to have a first marriage,” Oaks said...

A first marriage????

[I Have Questions]

...“part of the Lord’s plan to overcome the tendency of waiting until the late 20s to have a first marriage,” Oaks said...

A first marriage????

Yep. That’s what he said. It’s an interesting choice of words. There is also a subtle message from Oaks - that if you don’t marry young, you are going against the Lord’s plan. Thwarting His plan. Marrying later on is a victory for Satan.

[Dr. Shades]

“In the time that we have lowered the age for young men and for young women in the past, we’ve seen an increase in people who meet someone in the mission field and marry them,” Oaks went on to say, “which is perfectly appropriate if it doesn’t start too early in their missionary service.”

I wonder: Was he referring to meeting a fellow missionary in the mission field, or meeting one of the locals in the mission field?

[I Have Questions]

“In the time that we have lowered the age for young men and for young women in the past, we’ve seen an increase in people who meet someone in the mission field and marry them,” Oaks went on to say, “which is perfectly appropriate if it doesn’t start too early in their missionary service.”

I wonder: Was he referring to meeting a fellow missionary in the mission field, or meeting one of the locals in the mission field?

I would imagine that Oaks would be happy with either, so long as the local was a member.

[Tom]

Recently, the Church lowered the age at which females could serve missions, to match the age that a male can serve. If you thought that was a push for sexual equality you were mistaken. In an article in the SLT the real reason behind it comes out…

Lowering the minimum missionary age for young women from 19 to 18 was meant partly “to reduce the age of marriage” for couples in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

So said recently installed church President Dallin H. Oaks in an interview he and his wife, Kristen, had Saturday with the church-owned Deseret News and faith’s own communication department. The interview occurred in Burley, Idaho, where he dedicated a new temple.

“In the time that we have lowered the age for young men and for young women in the past, we’ve seen an increase in people who meet someone in the mission field and marry them,” Oaks went on to say, “which is perfectly appropriate if it doesn’t start too early in their missionary service.”

What does “it” refer to? What does “too early” mean? Elder Kimball enters the room. “Lock your heart!”

[Kishkumen]

Younger people with brains found a way to get President Oaks to agree with something he otherwise would not have. Frame the issue in terms that are attractive to people with certain views, and you can achieve a lot of seemingly impossible things.

[PseudoPaul]

I'm old enough to remember when missionaries were told to lock their hearts.

[Dr. Shades]

I'm old enough to remember when missionaries were told to lock their hearts.

Me, too. It ruined my life.

[I Have Questions]

I'm old enough to remember when missionaries were told to lock their hearts.

Me, too. It ruined my life.

Haven't you chosen to allow it to ruin your life?