President Emily Belle Freeman has some advice for young women who can now serve missions a year earlier than they thought.
The Church announced on November 21, 2025, that young women are eligible to serve beginning at age 18. President Freeman was interviewed by KUTV 2 News Salt Lake City about the historic change. The interviewer asked President Freeman this poignant question: “If you had one piece of advice to give [a] young woman… who maybe is apprehensive, is scared, and told themselves ‘I’m not ready yet,’ what would you tell them?”
Her answer was beautiful and profound:
“I would tell every young woman who hears about this announcement and then has that moment to consider where they are and what their hopes are for the future, I would tell her, open up your scriptures and counsel with the Lord. He knows you. He knows the great work He has in store for you. And through the Holy Ghost, inspiration and guidance will come.”
President Freeman also shared that when she heard the age-change announcement was live, she choked up.
“I started tearing up a little bit,” she says. “I love this thought of young women all over the world today just stopping and thinking for a minute about the options that are ahead of them and knowing that they will take a few minutes to counsel with the Lord and then start thinking about what’s ahead of them. It’s just such an exciting day for me.”
You can watch the full interview on YouTube.
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