- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now has 88,500 missionaries, surpassing its record set in 2014.
- It said this milestone is partially due to the first wave of 18-year-old sister missionaries beginning their missions.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now has more full-time missionaries than ever before at 88,500 — surpassing the previous record of 88,000 set in 2014.
In a statement announcing the record on Tuesday, the church credited the increase to the first wave of 18-year-old sister missionaries beginning their missions. This is similar to the 2014 record, which was shorty after the church reduced the age for both young men and young women leaving on missions.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said Tuesday in a social media post, "This remarkable moment reflects the faith and devotion of a rising generation of disciples of Jesus Christ."
"What a marvelous time to be engaged in the Lord's work. As the Lord's missionaries give their heart, might, mind, and strength to their missionary service, the Lord will magnify their efforts. He will bless them with strength beyond their own and fill their lives with joy as they participate in the great and marvelous hastening of the Lord's work," Elder Rasband said.
He expressed gratitude for the families and friends of the missionaries for their support.
The church created 55 new missions to accommodate the growth in missionaries, making a total of 506 missions. In a seminary for the new mission leaders on June 20, President Dallin H. Oaks said missionary work is "soaring to new heights."
"You are called to lead missionaries at an historic time," he told them.
At the time, he said there were over 87,000 missionaries, but the church expected to reach a record.
"These missionaries' first responsibility is to testify of Jesus Christ to a world that suffers without knowledge of his divine mission. ... They invite people across the globe to become part of his true and living church," President Oaks said during the devotional.
The 88,500 number includes all full-time missionaries, including young teaching and service missionaries and senior missionaries.
