One of the most visible and often questioned practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the decision to send young adults—often between the ages of 18 and 25—to serve as full-time missionaries. To many observers, this raises important questions. Why involve young people in such demanding service? Why not wait until they are older, more established, or more experienced in life?
Latter-day Saints believe that youth are not only capable of meaningful spiritual service, but that God has consistently worked through young people throughout history. Sending young missionaries is not based on the idea that youth are more persuasive or less committed to other paths. Instead, it reflects trust in God’s ability to shape, guide, and strengthen willing hearts at an important stage of life.
Missionary service at a young age is not a requirement for salvation, nor is it forced. Rather, it is viewed as an opportunity—an invitation to serve Jesus Christ, to grow spiritually, and to develop a lifelong pattern of discipleship, service, and faith.
Biblical and Scriptural Precedents
Latter-day Saints often look to scripture when seeking to understand God’s patterns. Throughout the Bible, God frequently calls young people to accomplish important spiritual work.
David was still a youth when he was called to confront Goliath. Samuel heard the voice of God as a child. Jeremiah was called as a prophet while still young and initially doubted his ability. The disciples of Jesus Christ were likely young adults when they left their livelihoods to follow Him.
These examples reinforce a central belief: God values willingness, humility, and faith more than age, experience, or social status.
God Calls the Willing
Youthfulness is not seen as a limitation in God’s eyes. Latter-day Saints believe God often calls those who are willing to trust Him, regardless of age.
Young missionaries may lack life experience, but they often bring sincerity, openness, and a teachable spirit that allows God to work powerfully through them.
Strength Through Faith
Because young missionaries often feel their limitations, they rely heavily on prayer, scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This dependence on God is believed to strengthen their faith and testimony.
Why Youth Are Especially Prepared for This Season
Latter-day Saints believe that late adolescence and early adulthood represent a unique window of opportunity. At this stage of life, many young people have fewer long-term obligations such as marriage, children, or established careers.
This allows them to dedicate their time, energy, and focus almost entirely to missionary service.
Energy, Adaptability, and Openness
Young missionaries often bring physical energy, emotional resilience, and adaptability. Many are learning how to live independently for the first time, making them more flexible and open to new cultures, languages, and ways of thinking.
Missionary service channels this adaptability into disciplined service and spiritual growth.
Focused Time for Service
Serving at a young age allows missionaries to pause other pursuits and focus completely on spiritual priorities. This concentrated period of service helps them develop habits of prayer, scripture study, and service that often last a lifetime.
Learning Responsibility
Young missionaries are entrusted with significant responsibility. They manage schedules, teach lessons, work with companions, and serve communities daily. This responsibility builds maturity, accountability, and confidence.
Missionary Service as Personal Development
Latter-day Saints view missionary service not only as a way to share the gospel, but also as a powerful period of personal development.
Young missionaries are immersed in environments that challenge them emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Through these challenges, they grow.
Emotional and Social Growth
Missionaries learn to communicate clearly, listen empathetically, and work with people from diverse backgrounds. They face rejection, disappointment, and success—all of which teach resilience and humility.
Spiritual Maturity
Daily study of scripture, prayer, and teaching strengthens spiritual understanding. Many missionaries develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ during this time than ever before.
Character and Confidence
By serving others selflessly, young missionaries often gain a stronger sense of identity and purpose. They learn who they are, what they believe, and how they want to live.
Voluntary Nature of Missionary Service
A crucial aspect of this practice is that missionary service is voluntary. While it is strongly encouraged, especially for young men, it is not compulsory.
Latter-day Saints place great emphasis on agency—the ability to choose freely. Missionary service is meaningful only when it is chosen.
Seeking Personal Confirmation
Young people are encouraged to pray, study, and seek personal confirmation from God before deciding to serve. This reinforces the belief that faith must be personal, not inherited or imposed.
Individual Circumstances Matter
Health, emotional readiness, family responsibilities, financial situations, and personal challenges are all considered. Not serving a mission does not make someone less worthy or less faithful.
Role of Family and Church Support
Young missionaries are not sent out alone. Families, congregations, and church leaders provide extensive emotional, spiritual, and practical support.
Families often help prepare missionaries spiritually and emotionally before departure. During service, they offer encouragement through letters, messages, and prayers.
Shared Sacrifice
Missionary service is often seen as a shared sacrifice. Families support missionaries financially and emotionally, viewing the experience as a collective act of faith.
Community Encouragement
Local congregations pray for missionaries, celebrate their service, and welcome them home. This reinforces a sense of belonging and purpose.
Why Not Only Older Missionaries?
Some wonder why the Church does not rely solely on older, more experienced adults. Latter-day Saints believe both young and older missionaries are valuable and needed.
Older missionaries, including retired couples, serve in many missions and bring wisdom and life experience. Young missionaries bring energy, flexibility, and a unique ability to relate to peers.
The Church believes diversity of age strengthens missionary work.
Addressing the Question of Credibility
A common concern is whether young missionaries have sufficient credibility. Latter-day Saints believe credibility comes from sincerity, integrity, and faith rather than age.
Young missionaries do not claim expertise in all areas of life. Instead, they testify of Jesus Christ and invite others to learn and pray for themselves.
Their credibility rests in honesty and humility.
Common Misunderstanding: Pressure to Serve
One of the most persistent misconceptions is that young Latter-day Saints are forced or pressured into missionary service. While cultural expectations exist, Church leaders consistently emphasize that service must be voluntary.
Serving under pressure or guilt is discouraged because it undermines spiritual growth.
Common Misunderstanding: Lost Opportunities
Some believe missionary service delays education or career progress. Latter-day Saints acknowledge this cost but believe the long-term benefits often outweigh the temporary delay.
Many former missionaries report increased discipline, focus, and maturity that help them succeed academically and professionally afterward.
Missionary Service and Lifelong Faith
Missionary service often becomes a defining spiritual milestone. Many missionaries return with stronger testimonies and deeper commitment to living the gospel.
Even those who struggle during their missions often find that the experience shapes their faith in meaningful ways.
The Role of Jesus Christ in Missionary Service
Jesus Christ is central to the reason young missionaries are sent. They are not sent to promote culture, nationality, or personal belief systems.
They are sent to testify of Christ’s life, teachings, atonement, and resurrection.
Missionary service is an act of discipleship—learning to follow Christ by serving others.
Teaching by Example
Young missionaries are taught that their actions speak as loudly as their words. Living the gospel with integrity is considered a core part of missionary work.
This emphasis on example helps young missionaries internalize gospel principles rather than merely recite them.
Cultural Exchange and Global Perspective
Serving missions around the world exposes young people to different cultures, languages, and perspectives. This experience often fosters empathy, respect, and global awareness.
Many missionaries return with a deeper appreciation for diversity and shared humanity.
Preparing Future Leaders and Servants
Missionary service prepares young people for future roles in family, church, and community life. Skills learned—leadership, communication, service—carry into all areas of life.
The Church does not view missionary service as training leaders for authority, but as training disciples for service.
Challenges Faced by Young Missionaries
Missionary service is demanding. Young missionaries face homesickness, rejection, cultural adjustment, and spiritual testing.
Latter-day Saints believe these challenges refine character and deepen reliance on God.
Mental and Emotional Health Awareness
In recent years, the Church has increased emphasis on mental and emotional well-being. Missionaries receive training and support, and returning home early for health reasons is treated with compassion.
Serving a mission is not seen as a test of worthiness.
Why This Belief Matters
Sending young missionaries reflects trust in youth and confidence in God’s power to work through them. It teaches responsibility, faith, and service at a formative stage of life.
For believers, this practice reinforces the idea that discipleship begins early and continues throughout life.
Christ-Centered Discipleship
Ultimately, young missionaries are sent because Latter-day Saints believe Jesus Christ invites all His followers—young and old—to serve.
Youth are not future disciples; they are disciples now.
An Invitation to Understand
Latter-day Saints invite others to see young missionaries not as inexperienced representatives, but as sincere servants trying to follow Jesus Christ.
They encourage open dialogue, questions, and understanding.
Conclusion
Latter-day Saints send young missionaries because they believe God calls willing hearts at all stages of life. Youthful missionaries bring energy, sincerity, and faith, while gaining personal growth, spiritual strength, and lifelong perspective.
Missionary service at a young age is not an obligation, but an opportunity—an invitation to serve Jesus Christ, bless others, and grow into faithful disciples.
Sources
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Gospel Topics: Missionary Service
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org
Church News – Young Missionaries
https://www.thechurchnews.com
Doctrine and Covenants Central
https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org
Scripture Central
https://scripturecentral.org