Thinking about serving?
There is more than one way to serve. Here are the four kinds of missions, who can serve, and where to start.
Young teaching missionaries
Serve away from home for 18–24 months. Single men ages 18–25 and single women ages 18–29 can serve (Serve a Mission).
Young service missionaries
Live at home and serve in their own community. Single men ages 18–25 usually serve 24 months; single women ages 18–29 usually serve 18 months (Serve a Mission).
Senior missionaries
Married couples, single women and single men over 40 can serve for 6 to 23 months away from home (Serve a Mission).
Senior service missionaries
Live at home and serve locally. Men and women ages 26 and older, married or single, can serve (Serve a Mission).
How to start
Talk with your bishop or branch president. You can also start your recommendation in the Missionary Portal.
Questions
What kinds of missions are there?
Young teaching, young service, senior and senior service missions.
Do I choose my kind of mission?
For young missionaries, no. All young applicants are considered first for teaching missions, and those whose circumstances fit a service mission are called to one.
Where do I start?
Talk with your bishop or branch president, or start in the Missionary Portal.
Sources
- Serve a Mission (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
- General Handbook, chapter 24
- Service missions: A Customized Experience
Checked October 12, 2026. Rules change, so official pages, your call packet and the Missionary Portal are always the final word. GotMyCall is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.