During the 2026 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, Church President Dallin H. Oaks highlighted the continuing growth of the missionary force, noting that more than 87,000 full-time missionaries are serving with an incoming wave of 18-year-old sisters beginning their service following the recent age change for young women.
This marks the highest number of full-time missionaries in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As a growing number of young men and women prepare for missionary service, Church leaders have outlined several informative points of guidance to assist prospective missionaries and their families, according to a news release on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. That guidance includes the following:
When to submit mission applications
Prospective missionaries may submit their application through local Church leaders up to 150 days before their availability dates.
This expanded timeline can be a meaningful blessing for prospective missionaries and their families. Submitting an application earlier may provide more time to make important life plans; complete needed medical, dental, passport and visa requirements; and prepare spiritually and emotionally for service.
Church leaders encourage prospective missionaries to begin working with their bishops or branch presidents well in advance of that 150-day window to allow adequate time to prepare a completed application.
Physical and mental health
As part of this process, an examination by both a physician and a dentist is required. These professionals can identify any conditions that should be addressed before missionary service begins and provide helpful guidance for maintaining health in the field. Many countries require missionaries to receive certain vaccinations to protect against disease.
Wisdom teeth
The Church has updated its dental-care guidelines for prospective missionaries.
The removal of healthy wisdom teeth is no longer required prior to missionary service. Instead, removal should be considered when teeth show signs of disease or pose a significant risk. This approach helps avoid unnecessary procedures while reducing costs for prospective missionaries and their families.
Each missionary assignment
Every missionary is called by the Prophet and assigned to a mission, through inspiration, by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Providing complete medical, mental health and background information is important. Accurate and complete information will bless missionaries during their service.
Young service missionaries
Young service missionaries are called by the Prophet and assigned by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Their service assignments are tailored to their individual needs. They live at home, belong to a mission and are invited to attend zone conferences and other mission-related gatherings. In addition to service assignments, they can also participate in teaching alongside other missionaries under the direction of the mission president.
Service missionary advisers play a key role in providing day-to-day support and guidance, ensuring that each service missionary feels engaged in their calling.
Senior missionaries are needed
Married couples and single women and men ages 40 and older may be called as senior missionaries if they do not have dependent children. All full-time senior missionaries are called by the Prophet and assigned by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and usually serve away from home for 6–23 months. Senior missionaries are a blessing to the work of the Lord. Those considering senior missionary service can visit SeniorMissionary.ChurchofJesusChrist.org to learn more about available opportunities and needs.
11 missionary training centers
Missionary training centers for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are located around the globe, providing training in numerous languages and serving missionaries assigned to a wide range of regions.
Missionary training centers are located in Brazil, England, Ghana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Provo, Utah. These MTCs reflect the increasingly global reach of the Church’s missionary program.
Additional information
For additional information, visit this page featuring frequently asked questions.
This story was updated on June 28, 2026.
