Young men and women put school, jobs and dating on hold for up to two years. Here’s why, from all four standard works.
Latter-day Saints serve missions because Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to “go … and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Like the Seventy He sent “two and two” (Luke 10:1) and the sons of Mosiah, who “could not bear that any human soul should perish” (Mosiah 28:3), missionaries go out of love, because “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10). Young men serve 24 months and young women 18 months, both starting as young as 18. They don’t choose where they go, and they aren’t paid.
The short versionBecause Jesus told His disciples to go
After His Resurrection, Jesus gave His apostles a command: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19–20). Mark records, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
The Church’s Topics and Questions entry explains: “The Lord has declared that missionary work is the responsibility of all who follow Him,” and “in fulfillment of this command, able young men in the Church have a duty to prepare spiritually, physically, and emotionally to serve as full-time missionaries. Single women and mature couples also have the opportunity to serve full-time missions” (Missionary Work).
New TestamentThe New Testament pattern
Jesus promised His disciples, “ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He sent the Seventy out in pairs: “the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place” (Luke 10:1). That’s why Latter-day Saint missionaries serve in companionships of two.
Paul explained why somebody has to go: “how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace” (Romans 10:14–15). Missionaries don’t send themselves. They’re called and sent.
Book of MormonThe sons of Mosiah
The Book of Mormon’s best-known missionaries are the four sons of King Mosiah. They gave up a kingdom to preach to their enemies, the Lamanites: “they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble” (Mosiah 28:3).
They prepared: “they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:2–3). Years later, Ammon rejoiced that God had let them “bring thousands of souls to repentance” (Alma 26:22). Young Latter-day Saint missionaries try to follow the same pattern of scripture study, prayer and love for people.
D&C 4 and 18The worth of souls
In 1829, before the Church was even organized, the Lord said: “a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength … if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work; For behold the field is white already to harvest” (D&C 4:1–4).
The verse missionaries quote most is this one: “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10). And the Lord promised joy: “if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!” (D&C 18:15–16).
Every member shares the duty: “it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor” (D&C 88:81).
Pearl of Great PriceFrom Adam and Abraham
Missionary work isn’t new. Moses records that “thus the Gospel began to be preached, from the beginning, being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Moses 5:58–59).
God promised Abraham that his seed “shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations,” and that “as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed” (Abraham 2:9–11). Latter-day Saint missionaries see themselves as part of that promise to bless “all the families of the earth.” And because “a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel” (Articles of Faith 1:5), missionaries are called by a prophet and set apart before they go.
How it works todayWho serves, for how long, and who pays
According to the Church’s missionary page, young teaching missionaries “serve away from home for 18–24 months. Single men ages 18–25 and single women ages 18–29 can serve” (Missionary service). In November 2025 the First Presidency announced that young women who choose to serve “may begin their service at age 18 following graduation from high school or its equivalent,” while reiterating that “missionary service remains an optional opportunity for young women” (Church Newsroom, 2025). Young men serve 24 months; young women serve 18 months.
Missionaries don’t choose where they go. When the age was first lowered in 2012, the Church explained that “missionaries do not request their area of assignment” and that “missionary work is voluntary” (Church Newsroom, 2012). Missionaries aren’t paid. They and their families help fund their missions.
Check the premiseThe presuppositions baked into the question
Before this question can be answered fairly, the person asking has to justify a few assumptions packed inside it:
- That missionaries are paid recruiters. Missionary work is voluntary, and missionaries and their families help pay for it (Church Newsroom, 2012).
- That missions are a Latter-day Saint invention. Jesus sent the Seventy “two and two” (Luke 10:1) and commanded, “teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
- That missionaries want to argue or win debates. The sons of Mosiah went because “they could not bear that any human soul should perish” (Mosiah 28:3). The motive is love: “the worth of souls is great” (D&C 18:10).
- That anyone may appoint themselves to preach. Romans 10:15 asks, “how shall they preach, except they be sent?” Missionaries are called by authority (Articles of Faith 1:5).
FAQQuick answers
Why do Latter-day Saints go on missions?
Because Jesus commanded His disciples to “teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19), and because “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10). Missionaries share the gospel of Jesus Christ out of love.
How long is a Latter-day Saint mission?
Young men serve 24 months and young women serve 18 months, according to the Church’s missionary page and its 2025 Newsroom announcement.
At what age can Latter-day Saints serve a mission?
Single men ages 18–25 and single women ages 18–29 can serve as young missionaries. Since November 2025, young women may begin at 18 after high school graduation or its equivalent.
Are missionaries paid?
No. Missionary work is voluntary, and missionaries and their families help fund their missions.
Why do missionaries serve in pairs?
They follow the New Testament pattern: the Lord sent the Seventy “two and two” (Luke 10:1).
Do missionaries choose where they serve?
No. Missionaries are called and assigned by Church leaders and “do not request their area of assignment” (Church Newsroom).
Why do Latter-day Saints feel called to share the gospel?
Because Jesus commanded it: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).
Can young women and older couples serve missions?
Yes. Young women may serve from age 19, usually for 18 months, and senior couples serve missions of many kinds, including family history, humanitarian and Church-service missions.
SummaryKey takeaways
- Missions answer Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15).
- Missionaries serve two by two, as Jesus sent the Seventy (Luke 10:1).
- The motive is love for souls (Mosiah 28:3; D&C 18:10, 15–16).
- Missionaries are called by authority, serve 18–24 months, and aren’t paid.
If missionaries knock on your door, invite them in and ask your hardest question. For quick, sourced answers, open Galatians18, and follow me on X at @TraviXai.
Sources
- King James Bible (churchofjesuschrist.org): Matthew 28:19–20 · Mark 16:15 · Luke 10:1 · Acts 1:8 · Romans 10:14–15
- Book of Mormon: Mosiah 28:3 · Alma 17:2–3 · Alma 26:22
- Doctrine and Covenants: D&C 4:1–4 · D&C 18:10 · D&C 18:15–16 · D&C 88:81
- Pearl of Great Price: Moses 5:58–59 · Abraham 2:9–11 · Articles of Faith 1:5
- “Missionary Work,” Topics and Questions, churchofjesuschrist.org
- Missionary service, churchofjesuschrist.org
- “Women Can Now Serve Missions … at Age 18,” Church Newsroom, Nov. 21, 2025
- “Church Lowers Missionary Service Age,” Church Newsroom, Oct. 2012
- Featured image and in-article graphic: original graphics by thebookofmormon.ai (painterly backgrounds; no photographs or likenesses of real people).
