Starting the Missionary Process Early

I don't know how to start my own thread so I'm commenting here. I want to start my mission about two months earlier than my 19th birthday. I want to go in early August and I want to be able to start BYU right after I'm done with my mission. How would I do that?

I've spun your post off as a new thread. I think the starting point is going to be to talk with your Bishop.

tyronekeiichijohnson wrote:I don't know how to start my own thread so I'm commenting here. I want to start my mission about two months earlier than my 19th birthday. I want to go in early August and I want to be able to start BYU right after I'm done with my mission. How would I do that?

You have little control over any this. The best you can do is set your availability date, get your papers submitted, and let inspiration and the rest of the process take its course.

Missionary papers are completed online. You cannot even access them until your bishops initiates your paperwork. So, as RussellHltn pointed out, the first step is to talk to your bishop.

tyronekeiichijohnson wrote:I want to start my mission about two months earlier than my 19th birthday. I want to go in early August and I want to be able to start BYU right after I'm done with my mission. How would I do that?

You are asking for an unusual exception; normally a mission cannot being until you are 19. Note also that your missionary application cannot be submitted by your stake president until 120 days before your birthday or availability date (whichever is later); this restriction is enforced by the missionary application system and could only be overridden by the Missionary Department.

But exceptions do sometimes occur, so it is possible if your bishop and stake president are willing to make the case for an exception in your case.

tyronekeiichijohnson wrote:I don't know how to start my own thread so I'm commenting here. I want to start my mission about two months earlier than my 19th birthday. I want to go in early August and I want to be able to start BYU right after I'm done with my mission. How would I do that?

I learned a great lesson from a Zone Leader on my mission many years ago. I was trying to figure out how to extend for 1 week so I could go home on the "anniversary" of going out. Another Elder and I thought we had a great plan and while working with our Zone Leader, I shared it with him and asked his opinion. His coment: "I think when the Lord says it's time to go home, it's time to go home."

You can certainly explain your desire to leave slightly early, but when the Lord says it's time for you to go, it's time for you to go. He knows your potential future and will guide you along the path He wants you to go. If you trust in him, it will not be detrimental to your BYU experience one bit. Have a GREAT Mission!

tyronekeiichijohnson wrote:I want to start my mission about two months earlier than my 19th birthday. . . . How would I do that?

You could move to a country where missionaries are called before age 19. [grin]

But unless you are already there, davesudweeks has is right: Trust in the Lord and have a wonderful mission. Hopefully you are already completing your mission application paperwork and any needed medical and dental work.

aebrown wrote:But exceptions do sometimes occur, so it is possible if your bishop and stake president are willing to make the case for an exception in your case.

We had a missionary assigned to our ward who had started his mission some months before his 19th birthday. At least from his understanding, there wasn't an official exception made. He had just made his availability date early, and it was approved.

greggo wrote:We had a missionary assigned to our ward who had started his mission some months before his 19th birthday. At least from his understanding, there wasn't an official exception made. He had just made his availability date early, and it was approved.

Were his parents serving as temple or mission presidents? Were his parents on missions themselves? In these cases, missionaries can leave as early as 18.

crislapi wrote:Were his parents serving as temple or mission presidents? Were his parents on missions themselves?

Not as far as I know. I think he would have mentioned that when I asked him how it happened.

Is it possible to start mission preparation early and even get your mission call before you turn one year in the church

belindajepkemboi wrote: Tue May 13, 2025 9:22 am Is it possible to start mission preparation early and even get your mission call before you turn one year in the church

The stake president can submit a recommendation 180 150 days before the availability date, which in your case is the one year mark. (24.4.3)

russellhltn wrote: Tue May 13, 2025 11:37 am

belindajepkemboi wrote: Tue May 13, 2025 9:22 am Is it possible to start mission preparation early and even get your mission call before you turn one year in the church

The stake president can submit a recommendation 180 days before the amiability date, which in your case is the one year mark. (24.4.3)

General Handbook, 24.4.3, states the young missionary candidate recommend can be submitted up to 150 days before availability.

Preparing for a mission can begin, and should begin, long before the recommend is submitted and is not limited to having been confirmed a member for a year. The mission call itself follows in proper order after the recommend is submitted. I recommend you speak with your bishop to discuss your desire to serve a mission. He will help you plan your preparation for a mission and has insight into the details of the process.