Jan. 2, marked the end of an era for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The president of our church, Thomas S. Monson, the man millions of Mormons consider to be a prophet of God, passed away due to health issues incidental to his age.
Thomas S. Monson, 89, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and considered a prophet by the world’s 16 million Mormons, has been hospitalized.
Why do men and women become eligible to go on a mission at different ages — i.e. men earlier than women? It seems that women mature faster than men, and so it conceivably is more logical to send women on a mission at younger ages, since they are likely more mature than a boy/man the same age.
Last October, President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that instead of waiting until they were 19, young men could serve missions at 18, so long as they had finished high school. For young women, the change was even more significant: 19 instead of 21. This opened the floodgates as the number of missionaries currently serving has surged from 52,000 to 70,000 over the past eight months, and is anticipated to reach almost 100,000 by the end of this year.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be gathering together around the world this weekend, starting Saturday, for the 182nd Semiannual General Conference of the Church.
Speakers will include the president of the church and members of the church leadership including the quorum of the 12.