Missionary work is soaring to new heights. We are days away from the opening of 55 new missions. This brings the total number of missions to 506. There is a total of over 87,000 full-time missionaries. And we are currently being reinforced by the first wave of 18-year-old sisters beginning their service.
In coming weeks, we will have the largest number of full-time missionaries in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
These missionaries’ first responsibility is to testify of Jesus Christ to a world that suffers without knowledge of His divine mission. They invite people across the globe to become part of His true and living Church.
I affirm my testimony of Jesus Christ and the truth of His gospel. The Holy Ghost has given me a witness of its truthfulness, and I rejoice that I can spend my life in proclaiming it.
Joy isn’t simply about smiling, laughter, or even being happy. It's about drawing nearer to Jesus Christ through dedication to Him and His commandments. It is rejoicing in His goodness and mercy, the hope for eternal life, and peace in our hearts today.
In July, the Church will open 55 new missions to accommodate a growing number of missionaries already called. The addition will bring the total number of missions to 506 and allow missionaries to better support the growing number of congregations worldwide.
“What we are witnessing today is more than growth in numbers,” Elder Dale G. Renlund (@DaleGRenlund) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in a May 2026 social post. “Across the world, missionaries are demonstrating a deep devotion to the Savior and a sincere consecration to His work. An increasing number express that their fundamental reason for serving is their love for Jesus Christ and their desire to join Him in His work — an inspiring reflection of the faith and commitment that characterize today’s missionary force.
“As the work goes forward, this is indeed a joyous and marvelous work and a wonder.”
Learn more on Church Newsroom.
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What your children really want for dinner is you!
In an age of constant online connection, we may need to disconnect from technologies and other distractions to truly reconnect with our families.
Families grow stronger when they set aside these distractions and spend meaningful time together—learning eternal values like the importance of marriage and children, the purpose of life, and the true source of joy.
Parents also have a duty to teach their children practical knowledge apart from gospel principles. Families unite when they do meaningful things together. Happy family experiences strengthen family ties. Camping, sports activities, and other recreation are especially valuable for bonding families.
Some may say, “But we have no time for any of that.” To find time to do what is truly worthwhile, many parents will find that they can turn their families on if they all turn their technologies off.
What those we love need most is simply time with us. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is our ultimate role model. He will help us as we strive to build these family bonds.
At general conference I spoke of our grandson Paxton, who was born with a very rare chromosomal deletion.
Paxton lived three treasured years. He could not speak, crawl, walk, or run after his brothers. But little Paxton’s hands reached out to ours and to our Savior with love and affection.
I remember the first time Paxton’s father and I gave him a priesthood blessing that, as it says in the scriptures, “the works of God should be made manifest in him.” They were.
He brought immense joy to our family. Families with such a precious member know what a privilege it is to be blessed with one with special needs.
Associating with Paxton, our whole family gained an increased, deep, and abiding trust in the Lord. Then God reached out and took him home.
The words of the psalmist say it all: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). That joy is, as the Savior said, “Because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19).
I know Paxton’s tender “spirit and [his] body shall be reunited again in … perfect form” (Alma 11:43). By the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, his joy will be in not only a resurrected body but one that is resurrected whole and perfect.
At general conference I spoke of our grandson Paxton, who was born with a very rare chromosomal deletion.
Paxton lived three treasured years. He could not speak, crawl, walk, or run after his brothers. But little Paxton’s hands reached out to ours and to our Savior with love and affection.
I remember the first time Paxton’s father and I gave him a priesthood blessing that, as it says in the scriptures, “the works of God should be made manifest in him.” They were.
He brought immense joy to our family. Families with such a precious member know what a privilege it is to be blessed with one with special needs.
Associating with Paxton, our whole family gained an increased, deep, and abiding trust in the Lord. Then God reached out and took him home.
The words of the psalmist say it all: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). That joy is, as the Savior said, “Because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19).
I know Paxton’s tender “spirit and [his] body shall be reunited again in … perfect form” (Alma 11:43). By the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, his joy will be in not only a resurrected body but one that is resurrected whole and perfect.
Truly, Jesus Christ is the way to peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. He knows and loves each of us perfectly, and invites us to walk with Him, abide in Him, and follow His example of ministering to others one by one in charity and love.
We have been reminded of the central role of marriage and families in our Heavenly Father’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. May we demonstrate the pure love of Christ in our families, in our communities, and in all of our interactions with God’s children.
#GeneralConference #GreaterLove
We see our home planet as a whole, lit up in spectacular blues and browns. A green aurora even lights up the atmosphere. That's us, together, watching as our astronauts make their journey to the Moon.
@MalcontentmentT With current market conditions and desire to use only non-Chinese parts 5000$ is probably a healthier target. Overhead costs in the US go brrrt 😂
Scaling and integrating drones across the joint force gives us a decisive battlefield advantage.
That’s why we are UNLEASHING DRONE DOMINANCE at the War Department.