A clarion call for all of us to help all children and the youth to gain a testimony and then aide in their conversion. A challenge for parents/grandparents/friends/family and that includes Ward families to help these young people.
With the entire world, or least seemingly so, in a whirl of chaos and evil and violence and confusion and disastrous events happening everywhere....wasn't it refreshing to hear a living Apostle, Elder Holland tell the press that "I'm almost giddy" over the announcement of YM being able to serve a mission at 18 and YW at 19.
When we served in the Branch I remember at least 3 YM, right out of high school, that were just so ready to serve, so spirit-filled and eager to go. It really seemed a shame they had to wait. There were others that needed more time to prepare. Now the playing field is level and they can go when the time is right for them!
When I first heard it I immediately was concerned about the guilt factor that might be placed on some that wanted to go but weren't quite ready yet. I loved it, as the Conference went on, that the word "option" kept surfacing. They now have options! a time frame from 18-25 to go! to be able to plan their life and make those choices that will work for them. No pressure. No questioning by anyone about the whys or why nots. They will just consider the options, counsel with family and Bishop etc. and do what works best for them.
It used to be we adults were the ones with the Spirit of testimony and conversion and now we see that moving down into the vibrant souls of our youth. And the YW!!! Over the years we've all known those YW that lament they can't go, it's not fair, I'm ready now etc. etc. Now they can go and the YW will be a power house of strength!!
Vainly I always thought the 1979 statement by President Kimball was referring to my peers and I, in the below statement. In light of revelatory information that was said today, the field broadened and expanded, way beyond my narrow projected scope. GO WOMEN!! Young and/or old!!!
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Finally, my dear sisters, may I suggest to you something that has not been said before or at least in quite this way. Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers.
This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world.
Among the real heroines in the world who will come into the Church are women who are more concerned with being righteous than with being selfish. These real heroines have true humility, which places a higher value on integrity than on visibility. Remember, it is as wrong to do things just to be seen of women as it is to do things to be seen of men.
Great women and men are always more anxious to serve than to have dominion.
by President Spencer W. Kimball (1979)
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Saturday Press Conference!!
With the opening of the 182nd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Thomas S. Monson surprised members with an announcement that, effective immediately, men may now begin serving missions at age 18 and women at age 19.
During a press conference following the Saturday morning session, Elders Russell M. Nelson and Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder David F. Evans of the Seventy shared some more information about this change in policy.
Elder Holland revealed that very few people were aware this change would be announced. Nearly all of the General Authorities—except for the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—all mission presidents, university presidents and admissions officers, and all MTC administrators were unaware of the change until President Monson made the announcement.
Church leaders hope the move will expand the opportunities for young members of the Church Saints to serve full-time missions.
Elder Nelson emphasized that the change is an option, not an edict:
“These age adjustments are new options now available to bishops in evaluating what is best for each of their youth,” he said. He continued, “Young men and young women should not begin their service before they are ready spiritually and temporally.”
He stated that schooling, family circumstances, health, and so forth still remain important considerations for the timing of missionary service.
Over the past decade, permission has been given in 48 countries to let young men serve at age 18. Now, the Church will have a single policy worldwide.
Church leaders hope this increase in flexibility will allow more prospective missionaries to serve. Currently, approximately 58,000 missionaries serve full-time.
Since President Monson’s appeal for more full-time and couple missionaries two years ago, during October 2010 general conference, the response by Church members has been great—the number of full-time elders serving has increased by six percent; the number of sisters by 12 percent, and the number of couples by 18 percent.
Elder Holland elaborated on some details and some changes that will have to be made in light of the new policy:
1) Prospective missionaries, he said, will be asked to enhance their pre-mission preparation, including total personal worthiness supplemented by gospel study (especially the Book of Mormon), seminary and Institute classes, and systematic study of Preach My Gospel.
“God is hastening His work,” Elder Holland said, directing his remarks to the young men and women of the Church. “And He needs more and more willing and worthy missionaries to spread the light and the truth and the hope and the salvation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to an often dark and fearful world. … This isn’t about you. It is about the sweet and pure message you are being asked to bear.”
Elder Holland asked parents to take a strong hand in this preparation and not to expect the Missionary Department or MTCs or local leaders to direct everything.
2) Time at each of the Church’s 15 Missionary Training Centers (MTCs) will be reduced by one-third for all missionaries.
3) At the Church’s flagship MTC in Provo, Utah, new instructors and staff will have to be hired and the amount of housing will have to be increased almost immediately. The Church is considering comparable expansion at some other MTCs, but is not planning on building any new MTCs at this time.
4) Missionaries will benefit from a recently implemented 12-week training course being administered in the mission field through mission presidents. The program is designed to improve every missionary’s teaching skills while in the field.
5) The Church is considering adding new missions in the future. Until those new missions are created, the existing 347 missions will absorb any increase in the number of missionaries.
6) Prospective missionaries may be recommended by their bishop and stake president for full-time service 120 days prior to their birthday or to their availability date (which takes into account high school graduation or its equivalent). Young men may enter the MTC after graduating and reaching 18 years of age. Women may enter after their 19th birthday. No adjustment has been made to the upper age limit (25 years for young men, no limit for young women).
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- Prospective missionaries are being asked to enhance their pre-mission preparation in light of the policy change.
- Time at each of the Church’s 15 Missionary Training Centers (MTCs) will be reduced by one-third for all missionaries.
- Until new missions can be created, the existing 347 missions will absorb any increase in the number of missionaries.
“God is hastening His work. And He needs more and more willing and worthy missionaries to spread the light and the truth and the hope and the salvation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to an often dark and fearful world.” —Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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