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Several general leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrate updated opportunities for young women to begin missions at earlier age.

The decision to alter the mission age reflects the church's confidence and faith in its young women.

Brigham Young University states support for the church's new mission age policy.

Friday’s announcement that Latter-day Saint young women can now begin missionary service at 18 — a year earlier than previously allowed — was greeted with support and a few misty eyes from church missionary leaders.

“It’s an exciting time,” Elder W. Mark Bassett, a General Authority Seventy and the executive director of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Missionary Department, told the Deseret News.

“This opportunity for y

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