Today’s announcement from the First Presidency marks an exciting new chapter for young women preparing to serve missions. Many of our current and future students now have the opportunity to move forward with missionary service.
BYU-Idaho offers simple missionary deferments and meaningful returned missionary scholarships to help with mission and education planning.
Following is the official announcement:
"The First Presidency is pleased to announce that effective immediately, young women who choose to serve a full-time mission may begin their service at age 18 following graduation from high school or its equivalent.
While the Lord asks every worthy, able young man as part of his priesthood responsibility to prepare for and serve a mission, we reiterate that missionary service remains an optional opportunity for young women. We recognize that for those young women who desire to serve a full-time mission, the choice of age to begin service will not be the same for everyone.
We extend our love to the youth of the Church and commend them for their faithfulness."