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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has reached a historic milestone in its worldwide missionary effort, with more full-time missionaries serving than at any previous time in the Church’s history.

Infographic announcing that more than 88,500 full-time Missionaries are serving worldwide, marking the highest number in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and illustrating the continuing Hastening of the Lord’s Work.

Church leaders announced that approximately 88,500 full-time missionaries are now serving across the globe, surpassing the previous record of just over 88,000 missionaries established in 2014. The total includes young teaching missionaries, young service missionaries, and senior missionaries.

A senior missionary offers comfort and compassion to a woman during Missionary Service, demonstrating the worldwide humanitarian ministry of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who chairs the Church’s Missionary Executive Council, celebrated the milestone by pointing to the faith and commitment of today’s rising generation.

“The all-time high reflects the faith and devotion of a rising generation of disciples of Jesus Christ.”

He also emphasized that the true significance of missionary service extends far beyond the numbers.

Young Missionaries walk together through a neighborhood while serving in an international mission, representing the expanding global Missionary Service of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“As the Lord’s missionaries give their heart, might, mind and strength to their missionary service, the Lord will magnify their efforts. He will bless them with strength beyond their own and fill their lives with joy as they participate in the great and marvelous hastening of the Lord’s work.”

President Dallin H. Oaks announced the record during the 2026 Seminar for New Mission Leaders at the Provo Missionary Training Center, noting that the remarkable growth reflects the Lord’s accelerating work throughout the earth.

President Dallin H. Oaks addresses new mission leaders while highlighting record numbers of Missionaries and the expansion of worldwide missions during the Mission Leadership Seminar.

The increase comes during a period of sustained growth in missionary participation. In recent years, more young adults have answered the call to serve, while senior missionaries continue to make invaluable contributions in teaching, leadership, welfare, family history, and other specialized assignments around the world.

A smiling senior missionary couple represents the growing contribution of senior Missionaries serving in teaching, leadership, temple, welfare, and family history assignments.

To accommodate the expanding missionary force, the Church is creating 55 new missions, bringing the worldwide total to 506 missions—the highest number in Church history. The additional missions will provide closer leadership and support as missionary numbers continue to increase.

The record missionary force also comes during a period of remarkable worldwide growth for the Church. Recent reports have highlighted increasing Church membership, record numbers of convert baptisms, continued temple expansion, and growing enrollment in seminaries and institutes around the globe.

Young sister Missionaries walk through the Missionary Training Center as they prepare to begin Missionary Service, reflecting the rapid growth of missionary participation.

Church leaders emphasized that while the rising number of missionaries is encouraging, the work of sharing the gospel belongs to every disciple of Jesus Christ. Missionaries teach and testify, but members play a vital role by inviting friends, neighbors, and family members to learn about the Savior and His restored gospel.

A young service missionary works in a Church welfare facility, illustrating the expanding opportunities for Missionary Service beyond traditional teaching assignments.

The historic milestone stands as another indication of what Church leaders have frequently described as the hastening of the Lord’s work, as thousands more faithful missionaries carry the message of Jesus Christ to people throughout the world.