OUR VIEW: Missionary changes have mixed impact

During the first session of the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday morning, LDS President Thomas S. Monson revealed over the pulpit that the age requirements to serve an LDS mission would decrease from 19 for men to 18, and from 21 for women to 19.
   
Following this announcement, Facebook feeds around the world blew up with excitement from 17-  and 18-year-olds proclaiming their newfound desire to leave on a mission at an earlier age.
   
Monson gave a brief explanation for the policy change by saying there have been young men in certain countries who were allowed to leave on a mission at 18 if they were worthy, able and high school graduates. He said these allowances had been positive.
   
Now that the dust is settling, we have to wonder what the implications of this change will be. It is a good sign for gender equality that the ages for men and women are closer together, yet it’s still puzzling why there still is a year difference.
   
Regardless, major policy changes like this are rare and usually come with a great deal of thought and consideration.
   
The atmosphere of missionary training centers and mission fields will change. Men and women will be going out as peers, and likely, many will come home as more than that.
   
This change will also make waves in the dating scene. Some pre-mission couples might not have to necessarily wait for their girlfriend or boyfriend for 18 months or two years.