God is on our side: 18 year-old missionaries

[Flystripper]

This will completely change the dynamic for freshmen at BYU. There will be almost no male freshmen which means that the few who don't go could get tons of chicks (possibly making them ineligible) and more freshmen girls will date RMs and likely get married sooner. I also think we're likely to see the average age Mormons get married drop by six months to a year.

The recruitment of the few non Mormons on the team will get more difficult. I see this as a negative for BYU sports.

[LA Ute]

This will completely change the dynamic for freshmen at BYU. There will be almost no male freshmen which means that the few who don't go could get tons of chicks (possibly making them ineligible) and more freshmen girls will date RMs and likely get married sooner. I also think we're likely to see the average age Mormons get married drop by six months to a year.

The great majority of male freshmen will be 20 year-old RMs. As a dad whose daughter wants to go to BYU, I am now thinking about her showing up there at age 18 surrounded by fellow freshmen males who are all ready to get married. Come to think of it, that will be the case in LDS circles at ANY university she attends.

[Flystripper]

The great majority of male freshmen will be 20 year-old RMs. As a dad whose daughter wants to go to BYU, I am now thinking about her showing up there at age 18 surrounded by fellow freshmen males who are all ready to get married. Come to think of it, that will be the case in LDS circles at ANY university she attends.

Yeah it is pretty awful

[doctorcoug]

When I raced for BYU I dated a sprinter and she told me how Patrick Shane discouraged the cross country runners from getting married. She didn't say much about the mission issue, but it was clear that the girls that went on missions were saying tchau to their running career. I think this dramatically helps BYU women cross country, not that they need much help to be great.

via a galaxy s3 far far away

[TripletDaddy]

When I raced for BYU I dated a sprinter and she told me how Patrick Shane discouraged the cross country runners from getting married. She didn't say much about the mission issue, but it was clear that the girls that went on missions were saying tchau to their running career. I think this dramatically helps BYU women cross country, not that they need much help to be great.

via a galaxy s3 far far away

This is great news!!! Go women's XC!!!

[LA Ute]

Press conference now under way on BYUTV. Elder Nelson saying this change does not mean everyone is expected to go at age 18.

[Flystripper]

Press conference now under way on BYUTV. Elder Nelson saying this change does not mean everyone is expected to go at age 18.

[Coach McGuirk]

The great majority of male freshmen will be 20 year-old RMs. As a dad whose daughter wants to go to BYU, I am now thinking about her showing up there at age 18 surrounded by fellow freshmen males who are all ready to get married. Come to think of it, that will be the case in LDS circles at ANY university she attends.

Instead of 21 year olds!

[Babs]

The great majority of male freshmen will be 20 year-old RMs. As a dad whose daughter wants to go to BYU, I am now thinking about her showing up there at age 18 surrounded by fellow freshmen males who are all ready to get married.

Why would they want to get married? Seems like they would want to get laid.

[Commando]

Kids could previously go at 18 with permission, you know. I guess now that it's on the books it's easier to do?


Girls at 19, that's the real story, but I'm not sure what that does other than give the elders more viable post-mission options.

[Coach McGuirk]

Why would they want to get married? Seems like they would want to get laid.

Same thing.

[Pheidippides]

The great majority of male freshmen will be 20 year-old RMs. As a dad whose daughter wants to go to BYU, I am now thinking about her showing up there at age 18 surrounded by fellow freshmen males who are all ready to get married. Come to think of it, that will be the case in LDS circles at ANY university she attends.

The only difference is that the males in question are younger and freshman. RMs preying on freshmen girls is nothing new.

[CardiacCoug]

Why would they want to get married? Seems like they would want to get laid.

When you're dealing with good Mormon girls at BYU the only way to get laid is to get married first. Trust me, I tried to do it in the other way around and it just wasn't happening.

[pellegrino]

The only difference is that the males in question are younger and freshman. RMs preying on freshmen girls is nothing new.

I think there is a difference, freshmen, especially at BYU, tend to bond with those who are the same age as them. I knew freshmen who wouldn't go out with RMs for the simple reason that they didn't want to get involved with someone who was thinking about marriage. If significantly fewer 18 year old males enroll in college then that means that those girls who don't want to date RMs will either have no social life or they'll change their minds on who they date.

[Lost Student]

In the press conference, Elder Holland confirmed that this change will help with athletics.