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LDS Church lowers age requirement for missionary service

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By Joseph Walker, Deseret News

Published: Saturday, Oct. 6 2012 12:13 p.m. MDT

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Summary

President Thomas S. Monson announced Saturday a major change to the LDS Church's policy on the ages of missionaries.

More Coverage
  • LDS Church announces plans for new temples in Arizona and Peru

  • LDS Church lowers age requirement for missionary service

  • Exclusive look of the largest LDS missionary training facility in the world

  • Arrival at Missionary Training Center

  • Mormon church operates 14 missionary training centers around the world

"There is one simple daily practice that can make a difference for every member of the church," Elder Ballard said. "In your morning prayer each new day, ask Heavenly Father to guide you to recognize an opportunity to serve one of his precious children. Then go throughout the day with your heart full of faith and love, looking for someone to help. Stay focused on this, just like the honeybees focus on the flowers from which to gather nectar and pollen. ... Over time this (will) have a transformative effect upon all of our Heavenly Father's children through the extension of his love to them through us."

And Elder Neil L. Andersen provided a road map for leveraging pre-existing faith to overcome tough times. "You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith," Elder Andersen said. "You exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others. ... Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened."

Other speakers during the afternoon session included Elders Larry Echo Hawk, Robert C. Gray and Scott D. Whiting, all members of the First Quorum of the Seventy.

Music for the session was provided by a choir of teenagers from Bennion and Taylorsville.

email: jwalker@desnews.com, jaskar@desnews.com

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  • LDS Church announces plans for new temples in Arizona and Peru

  • LDS Church lowers age requirement for missionary service

  • Exclusive look of the largest LDS missionary training facility in the world

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Featured Comments

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dr.bridell
mclean, VA

Wow, this is fantastic.
I doubt that many of us can imagine the impact this will have.
It would not surprise me if the number of missionaries serving were to double!
It will dramatically increase the number of sisters serving, and in More..

  • 10:58 a.m. Oct. 6, 2012
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Igualmente
Mesa, AZ

If a young man's excuse for not going on a mission was his girlfriend, it won't be any longer. She'll be on a mission!

  • 11:30 a.m. Oct. 6, 2012
  • Top comment
Canyontreker
TAYLORSVILLE, UT

This is great news for certain countries. For example, Brazilians will have more opportunities to work a mission around mandatory military service.

  • 11:24 a.m. Oct. 6, 2012
  • Top comment
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About the Author
Joseph Walker

Joseph Walker

Joseph Walker began his professional writing career in 1980 as a staff writer for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, eventually becoming the newspaper's television and live theater critic. He left professional journalism more ..

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