It is amazing how things have changed since the announcement of the lowering of the age for Mormon missionaries. I became a member of the LDS Church in 1985, and the number of missionaries was constantly growing at that time, and it kept growing until a few years ago, when it even started decreasing.

Many people (myself included) thought that the solution to the decreasing number of missionaries and the consequent limitations to reach all the people of the earth, would be the Internet, and that we would hardly ever see again an increase in the total number of missionaries.

Truly, the Internet is a very important tool, and it has become essential for missionary work. However, now even the number of missionaries is growing again, and at a pace never seen before. Now a lot more missionaries will use the internet, together with the more “traditional” ways of proselyting, to grow the work as never before.

It is amazing to see how the Lord moves forward His work. Some people may think that is just a group of smart church leaders who are doing this, but I know that there is something more. The Lord really directs His work, and He knows when it is the right time to make changes to accelerate His work.

From LDS.org

SALT LAKE CITY — 14 AUGUST 2013
Since the October 2012 announcement that men can begin Mormon missionary service at age 18 and women at 19, the ranks of Mormon missionaries have swelled. Prior to the announcement, 58,500 missionaries were serving; as of this week, that number is now 75,000.

Mormon Missionaries – Women Called to Serve Video