News about more missionaries and more missions than ever before in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has sparked a flurry of online posts from members of the church on social media.
Such sharing is unique in a broader public conversation accustomed to hearing updates on the decline of religious conviction, especially among young people.
Here are some of the social media comments reacting with excitement and celebration to the announcement.
Family members celebrating missionaries
Parents, aunts, grandparents and others took the occasion to express specific appreciation for their family’s missionaries who are a part of this historic surge.
“My son just joined those numbers today,” wrote Jamie Brook. “I’m proud of him and all those who choose to serve the Lord. What a remarkable time for a remarkable generation❤️”
“That is exciting news!” said Wendy Ray in a YouTube comment. “My son will be joining those numbers before the end of this year … My daughter is currently serving in Germany: we miss her SO much, but the work is so important, so stretching, and so filled with miracles and mercies there.”
“Feeling especially grateful for my niece who is serving in Peru right now,” another Latter-day Saint woman wrote on X. “She is part of this amazing group of missionaries. What a wonderful time to be alive!”
‘I stand in awe’
“I stand in awe of the missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!” wrote Lorraine Pace Brown, recently called to serve with her husband in the Singapore Mission this fall. “While their peers are pursuing personal ambitions, these young people are sacrificing 18 months to 2 years of their lives to bring their brothers and sisters — all across the world — home to Jesus Christ.”
“Come join us! It’s the sacrifice that rewards the giver, over and over and over again.”
“Imagine living in a time when more young people than ever before decide to dedicate 18-24 months of their life without pay to serving others,” Lyman Kirkland wrote. “This is such great news.”
‘What a time to be alive’
“That’s a lot of people out sharing the truth about Jesus Christ,” wrote one X user. “What a time to be alive to see the Lord hastening His work!”
“What a special time to be a missionary!” Jordan Brimley wrote on X.
“Hurrah for Israel,” wrote one user on X, echoing the famous cry Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball gave in 1839 to encourage their families as they left on missions lying sick in the bed of a wagon.
‘The gathering happening in real time’
“That younger generation is feeling that call,” Latter-day Saint influencer Becky Squire said. “This is the gathering of Israel happening in real time.”
To commemorate the announcement, a ScripturePlus Instagram account shared footage from the Eastern States Mission in 1925, when there were 1,131 missionaries and 20 missions — often standing on soapboxes singing hymns and sharing with anyone who would listen.
“The methods have changed, but really the message hasn’t,” the host, Eastin Hartzell, said. “Imagine what those missionaries in 1925 would think if they could see the church today.”
Digging into why
“This remarkable moment reflects the faith and devotion of a rising generation of disciples of Jesus Christ, including many 18-year-old sister missionaries who are entering the mission field,” said Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in his original announcement.
In addition to the lower missionary ages, popular YouTuber Jared Davies argued this reflects a “bigger surge” that has taken place over recent years.
“This is really pretty remarkable,” he said. “We just saw history made.”
Latter-day Saint Hafin Painter, whose son is currently serving a mission, pointed out that opportunities for service missions contribute to the increase in numbers as well. “There are so many service missionaries out there now, many of whom would have been excused from missionary service in the past,” he said.
As views of service missions change, Painter told the Deseret News, there will be even more young men and women who accept calls. “I can’t say enough about how impressed I have been with what they are doing.”