ST. GEORGE — The cost of serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is going up 25% in 2020.
In a letter issued earlier this week by the First Presidency – which is comprised of church President Russell M. Nelson and his two counselors, Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring – the church announced that monthly costs of serving a mission will go from $400 to $500 starting this time next year.
“After careful consideration, missionaries and those who provide financial support will be asked to pay a monthly contribution of $500 USD (or the local equivalent) beginning July 1, 2020,” the letter states.
This will bump the overall 18-month and 24-month mission costs to $9,000 and $12,000, respectively.
The last time the cost for a church mission was adjusted was in 2003. As the general cost of living has gone up all around, what $400 could buy in 2003 now requires $556.
Missions within the U.S. and Canada will be impacted by the rate change, as well as those in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The cost of living for missions in countries not mentioned in the letter will remain the same.
Youth in the LDS church who typically embark on missions between 18 and 19 years old are encouraged to financially prepare for missions ahead of time. They are also often supported by family members and fellow church members.
“We love and are most grateful for the many young men and young women who answer the call to serve the Lord as full-time missionaries and express appreciation for those who support them,” The First Presidency states in the letter. “We know that many sacrifice greatly to help share our Heavenly Father’s love and the Savior’s restored gospel.”
According to the church’s online newsroom, there are currently over 65,000 missionaries serving across 407 missions worldwide.
Ed. Note: The overall cost for an 18-month and 24-month mission under the new cost was reported in error and has been corrected.
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