MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING

HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

Abstract
Background: In the October 2012 Latter-Day Saint (LDS) General Conference, LDS President and Prophet, Thomas S. Monson announced that 18-year-old men and 19-year-old women would be able to serve missions. This was a change from the previous mission eligibility ages of 19 for men and 21 for women. The two year change for women was especially notable since LDS women often marry young and dont serve missions. This change is certain to affect the dating lives of LDS adults. Methods: To gain insights into how LDS college-age men perceive this change to affect their dating experience both temporarily and long-term, a focus group was conducted with 14 participants. Through a series of questions, a consensus was formed about both the benets and drawbacks the lowered mission age for women would have for men. Results: Although some men are frustrated with the now limited supply of LDS women to date while in college, most see the change as one for the better. Instead of a timely courtship and marriage, they anticipate stronger, more righteous and mature women will emerge into the dating scene in the next couple years as the rst batch of missionaries return home. Conclusions: LDS men should be patient and understanding if their current dating situation is challenging. Women who are considering serving a mission should also be understanding if men decide not to pursue them before they leave. Keywords: Mission Age Change, LDS Dating, Sister Missionaries

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

Introduction
In the LDS (Mormon) faith it is common for young single men between the ages of 18 and 26 to leave their homes for two years in order to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to others. Single females 19 and older can also do this, multiple times if desired, but only for a year and a half at a time. This practice is somewhat unique amongst Christian faiths yet has been a solid and steady practice for those members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As of October 2012 there have been changes in the age requirement to serve a mission within the church. Previously young men had to be of at least 19 years of age whereas young women had to be an astonishing 21 years of age to serve a mission for their church. This age change has brought into play a revision in the way that LDS singles date and prepare for marriage. Much study has been done as to how successful relationships develop between young men and women, this study focuses more on the relationships of LDS singles and how the recent missionary age change has affected their relationships in both the short and long term. College age men are heavily affected by the choices that their female counterparts make during this time of life, the academic literature says. From our research we were able to determine more to exactly how each gender affects the other in terms of a relationship. Helgesons research in his work entitled Long-distance romantic relationships: Sex differences in adjustment and breakup provides candid insights into how men handle breakups. The study was conducted with college students who were in long-distance relationships. They were interviewed at the beginning of the semester and the end of the semester. The most relevant nding was that male college students actually

have a harder time handling break ups than women do. Physical proximity was measured to be more important to men than women in dating relationships. Women were found to be less satised in dating relationships and often experienced an increase in happiness after the relationship ended. They are also more commonly the ones to end relationships (Helgeson, 1994). From Sahlsteins data in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships it was found that though couples may experience disappointment from spending time and distance apart, individuals may actually become more prone to being more productive in other aspects of their life. In this study, 20 long-distance romantic relationship couples were interviewed as couples. They provided insight into the challenges and advantages of long-distance relationships and about how they decided to be together or be apart. Statistics show that nearly half of those participating in exclusive dating in college are part of a long-distance relationship. This has huge implications as it relates to our study on how the changed LDS missionary age requirement for young women affects dating for men since many of those men may already be in committed longdistance relationships. There are many downfalls to a long-distance relationship; however, those in the study reported an average to high satisfaction with their relationship, an amount comparable to couples that live close together. This is attributed to those participating in long-distance couples putting their partner up on a pedestal since they arent present to witness many of their partners character aws. For men with women on an LDS mission, this may be an even bigger problem than it is for couples that are not in this situation.

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

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INTRODUCTION

METHODS

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DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

Many of those participating in a long-distance relationship (40.7%) felt disappointed after they separated. Time apart however, does help make partners more productive in other elements of their life (work, school, etc.). This could be an advantage of a young man waiting for a LDS sister missionary (Sahlstein, 2004). One scholarly study entitled, Hooking Up at College, Does Religion Make a Difference?, discussed mainly the dating and hooking up patterns by young women whom attend religious college institutions. The research focuses on the correlation between the frequency in which these students hook-up or have casual relationships or dates. This study primarily focuses on the women of this particular age group and their religious involvement. Over a thousand women varying in religious denomination were included in the sample. Surveys showed that religious involvement does reduce the amount of noncommittal hook-ups or relationships. The pattern showed that the amount of religious service attended mattered more so than the afliation of a particular religion in this study. An interesting nd from this study actually showed that the percentage of relationships happening at religious institutions is actually higher than that of non-religious institutions; the nding being that individuals at religious institutions tend to have similar religious norms and expectations. In conclusion, the study shows that religious involvement contributes signicantly towards physical encounters amongst college students (Burdette, Ellison, Hill, & Glenn 2009). In an article about how age-gaps affect romantic relationships amongst individuals of the discussed college age in Psychology Of Women Quarterly, Lehmiller addresses some of these issues. Drawing on evolutionary and socio-cultural perspectives, the present study examined normative beliefs and commitment processes among heterosexual women

involved in age-gap and age-concordant relationships. Results indicated that woman-older partners were the most satised with and committed to their relationships, relative to womanyounger and similarly aged partners, consistent with sociocultural predictions. This could show us the relation to the missionaries and their loved ones left behind. Whether a girl would date the guy who did not serve a full time mission yet. Additional analyses revealed that satisfaction, alternatives, investments, and normative beliefs accounted for differing degrees of variance in the prediction of commitment among age-gap and similarly aged partners, with greater explained variance among partners of similar ages. Thus, among female heterosexual age-gap partners, factors beyond traditional predictors of commitment may be important in understanding the maintenance of these relationships (Lehmiller & Agnew 2008) One study performed by L. Shanhong reviews the research done to determine the role that couple similarity plays in determining the satisfaction experienced in a relationship. Previous to this study the only research conducted was on subjects that had already had been in well-established relationships. The research done in this article was performed on that of subjects that had been in a relationship no longer than six months. The 117 couples that participated in the study had an average age of about 20 years. The subjects were tested using different likert scale survey questions to determine the (ADS) Absolute Difference Score and (PSC) Prole Similarity Correlation between couples. Several different measures such as demographics, political attitudes, personal values, religion, personal interests, self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, and adult attachment were questioned as to reveal similarities and differences between individuals in a young relationship. Studies showed that demographics, personal interests, personal values and political attitudes played moderate to

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

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INTRODUCTION

METHODS

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DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

signicant roles in relationship satisfaction. Religion tended to play a less signicant role in relationship satisfaction. Most research has been done to search remedies for ongoing relationships whereas this research was done to understand how partners choose each other and possibly learn to forecast successful relationships. (Shanhong 2009) The Journal Of Marriage & Family explains that though the age at which individuals rst marry in the US has been increasing over the years,there is still a signicant portion of the population that marries young. This longitudinal study investigates the demographics of these young marriages. Depth interviews were conducted with nationally representative samples drawn from one hundred and thirty-two participating schools. Correlations were sought between marriage age (dependent variable) and gender, religious afliation, socioeconomic status of parents, family characteristics, personal characteristics, education, race, and cohabitation. As predicted, women were more likely to marry younger than men; conservative Protestants and Mormons were more likely to marry younger than mainline Protestants, Black Protestants, Catholics, Jews and the nonreligious; individuals from more afuent families were less likely to marry young; individuals of higher socioeconomic status (higher parent education, higher income, college aspirations) were more likely to delay marriage; and Hispanics and Whites were more likely to marry younger than Blacks and Asians. The reasons and rates of early marriages in a demographic that is otherwise trending toward later and later marriage ages is not insignicant, and deserves attention from researchers and policymakers (Uecker & Stokes 2008). Though all of these studies correlate very closely with the question at hand, still nobody has ever done a study on the effect that the LDS missionary age change has had on young single adults in universities. Additional studies do provide

more information on the Mormon society and their missionary service. Hammarberg summarized a brief history on that of the LDS faith and missionary service in an academic article entitled The World of Latter-day Saints: A Life Plan Model. Missions are mentioned in this article but only for males stating that when they are 19 they are able to serve. In the early history of the church women were able to go as well, but not until the age of 21. This is interesting to the meta-question because before the mission age change for women, a mission was almost discouraged for those women wanting to serve a mission. The reason for that is mainly so women would have a goal to get married and have children rst before thinking about serving a mission. This article also goes on to talk about the Mormon traditions with marriage and family. Marriage in the temple is likely only when both people are worthy. When on a mission you must also be worthy and repent of sins before serving (Hammarberg 2002). Therefore the meta question for this paper is: How has the decreased minimum age for female LDS missionaries affected dating for male LDS college students? The research questions for this paper include the following: What are the short and long-term positive and negative effects of dating a Mormon return missionary? What do men suspect that women return missionaries will be like after having served a mission? How will the missionary age change effect the average age of marriage amongst college age LDS individuals?

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

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DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

Do men prefer the idea of marrying a return woman missionary after the missionary age change to one whom hasnt served a mission? Do men in general feel discouraged or encouraged about the age change to female missionaries and how it will affect their dating life?

College age male members have accepted the missionary age change within the LDS faith rather positively with hopes for many long-term benets.

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

Methods
As a start of the research quantitative data was gathered. After obtaining and analyzing this data, the ndings were used in order to obtain a more solid understanding of how the decreased minimum age for female LDS missionaries has affected dating for male LDS college students. For the purposes of the research a focus group was selected to be conducted, distributed through the Brigham Young University-Idaho email system to 50 randomly selected male students. The emails were obtained from Institutional Research Director, Scott Bergstrom. All of them were invited to participate in a focus group, but unfortunately only a few have committed to attend. Because of that the convenient sampling was used in order to gather more male students to conduct more accurate research. As a result the total of 14 male students decided to participate in the focus group and helped to gather the ndings for the research.

The entire focus group was recorded by a multiple media tools including video camera, cellphones and laptops and then transcribed to sort the ndings.

Questions
1. What word comes to your mind when you think of returned woman missionary? 2. Do you think of a woman serving a mission as a good thing, or a bad thing? And then follow that response up with a reason. 3. Have you ever broken off a relationship because of a girl going on a mission? 4. How do missions negatively or positively impact relationship suitability for the short term, and for the long term? 5. What are the differences in the dating scene for you personally since the announcement of the age change? What differences do you think there will be? 6. How is your perception changed on female missionaries, now since the age change? 7. Would you rather marry a return missionary at this point in your life, or would you rather marry more promptly and not a return missionary? 8. On a scale of 1 to 10 how has your dating life changed in result of the mission age change? Why?

Focus Group
A day, a time and a room were scheduled in advance to conduct a focus group. Release forms for the participants were printed to be signed and give the permission to use the ndings and the information gather for the research without disclosing the identity of the male participants. A total of 10 main questions were asked mixed with the moderator questions. A variety of questions were asked: yes or no questions, open-ended questions as well as the scale questions, to make the nding more precise and reliable.

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

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DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

9. How has this change affected communication in dating? 10. In what way will the mission age change for the women impact marriage among LDS young adults? (For a complete review of questions used for the focus group, please see Appendix.)

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

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METHODS

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DISCUSSION

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Findings

returned female missionaries by male respondents. The responses of marriage and marriage material further attest to this, as marriage and family is considered central to the Mormon faith. When asked why returned female missionaries may be preferable as spouses, responses included their goals in life are higher, theyre more mature and theres just a difference in the relationship.

1. Men Largely Perceive Returned Female Missionaries in a Positive Light.

The word cloud demonstrates participants responses to question number one for the focus group, what word comes to mind when you think of returned female missionary? The most common answer (three out of fourteen) was spiritual. Dictionary.com denes the term as characterized by or suggesting predominance of the spirit; ethereal or delicately rened. Spirituality is placed at a high priority as a characteristic of a potential spouse in the Mormon faith. In fact, Mormon leaders encourage and admonish members to seek mates that put spirituality at the center of their relationships. It is important that husbands and wives pray and study the scriptures together. They should attend their meetings and give service in the Church in order to avail themselves and their families of the spiritual growth and blessings that come from activity in the gospel (Christensen 1981). Thus, the attribute of spirituality is clearly understood as a positive and desirable trait in women, and is perceived as especially prevalent in

It seems that now you dont ask a girl for her name, you just ask her where shes going. It just makes it harder for a guy to expect anything more than just friendship.

Dating life kind of sucks right now.

2. The Short-Term Effects of the Missionary Age Change on Dating Are Negative.
It seems that it is no longer what is your name? that is the rst question you ask when on a date. It is now more of where are you going on your mission? Male focus group participants expressed their opinions toward the missionary age change and how it will effect dating negatively and positively. After

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

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APPENDIX

listening to what they had to say the majority of the participants agreed that in the short term dating life and communication within dating has changed for the negative. Dating life kind of sucks right now, said one of the participants. When hearing the announcement about the mission age change most men were worried about what their dating life would be like for the next couple of years. Would their girlfriend decide to go on a mission? Will there be a lot less woman to date, due to them going on a mission? These concerns have been proven to be legitimate concerns. Some girls are just going on dates but with no thoughts of getting serious or going further in a relationship because theyre set on leaving. Youre just less likely to nd a relationship with a girl because theyre leaving on a mission. The short term has been rough for the men out in the Mormon-dating world.

In the long term most men agree that the effects of the missionary age change will be greatly positive. When dating a returned missionary you have a stronger foundation, I think, it strengthens your relationship. said a participant. I think they make better mothers as well, because theyve had to learn to live with others before themselves. Strengthened relationships and better motherhood are a couple of the reasons men feel a female returned missionary is a positive thing. Men have also opened up about the idea that women will be more mature, spiritual, and easier to talk to and relate to. Returned missionary girls will consider more in their desire to marry and who they marry and theyll make a better choice. The girls that will have served missions, theyll know more so what they want specically in a guy, it will keep guys on their toes more and they will try to be better. If this is the case the missionary age change for women will be greatly positive in the long run. It is hoped the mission age change will result in smarter choices in dating and more successful marriages.

I think women coming home will be more goal oriented and it will result in more marriages.

4. Men Anticipate the Average Age of LDS Marriages Will Change

I think women coming home will be more goal oriented and it will result in more marriages. Male returned missionaries usually experience a lot of pressure to marry after returning from their missions. Focus group participants felt that women would experience the same eagerness to date and nd an eternal companion once they return from serving missions for the church.

3. The Long-Term Effects of the Missionary Age Change on Dating Will be Positive.

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

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The participants also pointed out that the lowered age for men to leave on mission along with the lowered age for

getting married at an older age, which is better, because I met a lot of girls who are not married at like 22 and theyre like an old hag and so, it will be more of a cultural theme to get married at an older age... and then once they do get married, it will be more spiritual and it will be more of a deeper relationship. Although these men believe marriages will be older, they also believe the women will be more prepared for marriage. I thought that the girls will get married when they get older, but that they will have better relationships. Additionally, there would be fewer LDS teen marriages.Marriages would be more solid. Youll have a lot less teen marriages, like 18,19. Youll have women getting married.

Marriages would be more solid. Youll have a lot less teen marriages...

women will contribute to younger marriages in general. A lot more marriages will fall to missionaries and people will marry younger because um, just like, he meant, the men will come back, um younger, but there will still be more mature, but be able to have um searching to date.. um younger.. and there is just more opportunities to date. One participant expressed that he believed there will be Stronger and longer marriages cause both will be coming home earlier . He added, And I feel like with an equal, more equal ratio of men to women going out, they will just be stronger. They will just be more changed then they were before. Both men and women will be developing and maturing at accelerated rates. When they return, they will be more interested in marriage and being the best spouse they can to each other. It might seem counter-intuitive that men would believe this since many of the women who might have gotten married at eighteen or nineteen have either planned or already left for missions. In fact, not all men were of this opinion. Some believed quite the contrary. I think there will be a lot of girls

5. Men Feel Serving a Mission Has Become a Trendy Thing for Women
Perceptions about women serving missions have denitely changed for men. While the participants expressed that they originally thought missions were primarily for diehard spiritual girls who had planned on serving or women who aged up to 21 without getting married and werent sure what to do with themselves, they have now come to believe women see missions as a self-discovery process. I feel like it became a trend to go on missions. A lot of missionaries, female missionaries like are following trends again. But it also... I also It also kind of feels the same with as I think that who the girls that are spiritual and want to go are still going and there might be, My mom was even telling me that its weird she when saw sister missionaries in Orem that it was just so trendy and she was just kind of like fashionable.

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

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Many women who werent planning on serving at 21 are putting their mission papers in now. One participant voiced his opinion that peer pressure or motivation from the novelty of the change should not be a reason for women to leave on a mission. I agree with them saying that the sisters going out now are more enthusiastic about going on a mission, but I also agree that unfortunately they have the stereotype of the reason why they are going is because of a change in policy. And I personally dont believe that a change in policy is the reason for thousands of women to believe revelation was given to them to go on missions. I think they still need to think it out and pray about it rather than, a change in policy happened I can go earlier, I need to go now.

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

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Discussion
Conclusion #1: It may be too soon to adequately measure perceptions and effects of the age change.
While the responses seem to indicate a largely positive perception of returned female missionaries, it is still unclear whether this will hold for the younger group of female missionaries that are currently serving. It remains to be seen after these younger female missionaries return from their missions how these perceptions will hold.It is worth questioning whether the positive aspects described by male respondents such as spiritual and mature are not in fact dependent on the previous age gap. Previous to the announcement of the age change, returned female missionaries were at least 22 and a half years old. Females will now be able to attain the status of returned missionary as young as 20 and a half years old. Will these younger missionaries still be perceived as more mature than their non-mission serving female peers? Unfortunately, these questions will be difcult to answer until the women serving under the new mission age minimum have returned. A similar research method might be used in the future to gather perceptions on the returned female missionaries and compare them to the results found here.

consider the fact that theyre going to be leaving, and that sets your thoughts about whether or not to pursue that person, you know. Women who intend to leave on missions should not expect to have a very active dating experience before they leave if they have been forthcoming about their plans. This lack of interest in getting emotionally attached to a woman who might leave was fairly universal throughout the participants. It seems that now you dont ask a girl for her name you just ask her where shes going. It just makes it harder for a guy to expect anything more than just friendship. If dating is a priority for women, they should consider postponing a mission until they feel more ready to give up something they view as very important to them. Missions are not required for women and they dont have to leave at 19, even though they can now. If they act irtatiously on their mission, it could cause a number of problems. However, if dating is something they are ready to put aside for later, they should lower their expectations for dating before they leave.

Conclusion #3: The Number of Female Missionaries May Begin to Decrease as the Novelty of the Age Change Dies Down
Many women interpreted the announcement of lowered mission ages as a sign that they needed to go serve, without devoting proper time to personal prayer or thoughtful and complete consideration. Thorough preparation is important for missionaries. I think they still need to think it out and pray about it rather than, a change in policy happened I can go earlier, I need to go

Conclusion #2: Men are Hesitant to Date Women They Know Might Leave on a Mission
Men feel that it is not worth it to pursue women who are considering serving a mission. Well, when youre going on dates with girls that havent gone on missions you have to

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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now. Participants hoped that women would go because they received revelation that it was the right thing for them at that point in their lives, not just because all of their friends were going and they thought that because they can, they should. Women in the church have a number of different callings, all of which are important. Although serving a mission could greatly benet the church and help them develop personally, there are other callings that could likewise be great experiences that would bless the lives of others. Marriage and motherhood are not to be overlooked in value. There is still plenty for women to consider before deciding to serve a mission. Perhaps once the mission age becomes a normal thing, women wont feel as motivated to go without dedicating the proper time and attention to making the right choice.

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Bibliography
Boyd, J. P. (2011). LDS youth in an age of transition. Dialogue : A Journal of Mormon Thought, 44(1), 207-218,227. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/858947990?accountid=9817 Burdette, A. M., Ellison, C. G., Hill, T. D., & Glenn, N. D. (2009). Hooking up at college, does religion make a difference?. Hooking Up at College, Does Religion Make a Difference?, 48(3), 535-551. Christensen, V.R. (1981). Bringing out the best in marriage. Ensign. Hamilton, L. D., & Meston, C. M. (2010). The effects of partner togetherness on salivary testosterone in women in long distance relationships. Hormones and Behavior. 57(2), 198-202. Hammarberg, M. (2002). The World of Latter-day Saints: A Life Plan Model. Expedition. 44(1), 7-15. Helgeson, V. S. (1994). Long-distance romantic relationships: Sex differences in adjustment and breakup. Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 20(254), doi: 10.1177/0146167294203003 Lehmiller, J. J., & Agnew, C. R. (2008). COMMITMENT IN AGE-GAP HETEROSEXUAL ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS: A TEST OF EVOLUTIONARY AND SOCIO-CULTURAL PREDICTIONS. Psychology Of Women Quarterly, 32(1), 74-82. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.2007.00408.x Pope, D. G. (2008). Benets of bilingualism: Evidence from Mormon missionaries. Economics of Education Review, 27(2), 234-242. Sahlstein, E. M. (2004). Relating at a distance: Negotiating being together and being apart in long-distance relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 21(689), doi: 10.1177/0265407504046115 Shanhong, L. (2009). Partner selection and relationship satisfaction in early dating couples: The role of couple similarity. . Personality and Individual Differences; , 47(2), 133-138. doi: Elsevier Uecker, J. E., & Stokes, C. E. (2008). Early Marriage in the United States. Journal Of Marriage & Family, 70(4), 835-846. Helgeson, V. S. (1994). Long-distance romantic relationships: Sex differences in adjustment and breakup. Pers Soc Psychol Bull,

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Appendix
Meta-Question
How has the age change for young woman serving missions affected the dating life of LDS individuals in College?

announcement of the changed missionary age? What difference do you think there will be? What do you think the differences are? 6. In what ways will the mission age change for women impact marriage among LDS young adults? 7. Has your perception changed on female missionaries now since the age change? 8. On a scale of 1 to 10 how has your dating life changed in result of the mission age change? Why? 9. How has this change affected communication in dating? 10. At this time in your life would you rather marry a returned missionary, or a non-returned missionary?

Focus Group Questions

1. What is the rst word that comes to your mind when you think of woman returned missionary? 2. Do you think a woman serving a mission is a good or bad thing? (Write on a piece of paper lock them in.) Follow up with why questions: 3. Have you ever broken off a relationship because of a mission? Do you know of others who have? Do you think well see a rise of dear-john letters? What about dear-jane letters? What effect did that have on you or them?

4. How do missions negatively or positively impact relationship suitability? In the short-term for relationships. In the long term for relationships. 5. What are the differences in the dating scene since the

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Focus Group Transcription

Leighton: My name is Leighton Yuma, this is part of my research team. Were in a communication research and statistics class. Were doing a study about missionary age change and how its affected people on campus as well as dating and other things like that. Wed like to start off with a prayer tonight. -PrayerLeighton: Were gonna ask a series of questions. Were gonna hand out pieces of paper to everyone. If you dont have a writing utensil, will you raise your hand? And if you have more than one So, were just going to ask you guys a series of questions. For each question go ahead and just number it. Ill tell you what number the question is. Some of the questions have multiple parts so be aware of that. Were going to go ahead and start. After each question we might ask the group as a whole what were your responses out loud, sometimes we might just leave it on the paper. Question 1: Leighton: What word comes to your mind when you think of returned woman missionary? Go ahead and just take a moment, rst word that comes to your mind, write it down. Be completely honest, OK? Question 2: Leighton: So are you guys ready for the next question? So

number two: Do you think of a woman serving a mission as a good thing, or a bad thing? And then follow that response up with a reason. Real quick here, Im gonna start over here; were just gonna go down the line and then down this line too. Just give me your one-word response for the rst question. 1. Maturity 2. Valiant 3. Beautiful 4. Courage 5. Marriage-Material 6. Smart 7. Strong 8. Spiritual 9. Spiritual 10. Great 11. Marriage 12. Spiritual

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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13. Mature 14. Mature Leighton: Perfect. Who thought that a woman serving a mission was a bad thing? No one? So you guys all thought that a woman serving a mission was a good thing? Anyone on the fence on that? (Participants 4, 9, 11, 12, 14 raise hands) 4: I put it depends on the situation; and I dont feel like in all situations girls should go on missions, I dont feel like in all situations girls should NOT go on missions. I feel like it depends on how they feel, whether they feel thats right for them or not. Leighton: Who else was it? 9: I said unless theyre doing it for the wrong reasons; they have to pray about it. 12: I said the same as him, just, like if an elder goes out for the wrong reason, hes not going to perform to the best of his ability. Its the same with the sisters. If theyre not going out for the right reason, then their purpose isnt going to be fullled as well as it could have been. Leighton: And those that feel strongly that it is a good thing, raise your hands? (Participants 1, 10, 11, and 13 raise hands) Leighton: Alright, were going to go ahead and start with you.

Why? 1: I just put, now the woman wont act like a teenager. (scattered laughs, gasps and scoffs) Leighton: Who was the next one? Go for it. 2: My ance is a returned missionary, and its denitely a positive thing. Leighton: OK. Why has it been positive for you? 2: Cause we can understand each other. Were on the same page, spirituallyand in terms of the gospel. Leighton: So youve served a mission, shes served a mission, so you guys are able to correspond. How has that affected the communication in your relationship? Have you seen a difference with other girls youve dated? 2. Yeah, for sure. I mean, every night we read scriptures and pray togethershes in Washington State right now, were not togetherbut its denitely been a lot. Its been a more pure relationship in that were focused on the right things. Leighton: OK. Great. Who else was strongly for? 13: It just helpstheyre already more spiritually mature than men I think, but it helps them become doctrinally mature. The teachers that Ive had in Sunday School that have gone on missions are really doctrinally sound.

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Question 3: Leighton. OK. Great. Thank you for those responses. Were going to move on to the next question. Out of you guys, have you ever broken off a relationship because of a mission? This means, a girl going on a mission that you were dating; maybe youve seen it happen to a friend? Just respond to that question, please. And if that did happen, could you write what effect did that have on your friend or on yourself? 1: Its not if you yourself broke up to go a mission, but if you were dating a girl and she was going on a mission? Leighton: Exactly. It could be either party that causes the breakup, or it could even be mutual. If thats happened to you or someone you know, what effect did it have on the people involved? Ill give you a second to think about it, write about itAlright, does anyone have a good response for that? Anyone have any examples of that happening? 4: In the situation that I saw, it was actually positive, had a good effect on both peoplethe person that broke it off and the person that got dumped. The person that got dumped learned a lot of good lessons. It was hard for them, but they learned a lot of stuff. The girl that broke it off, she was able to go on a mission and shes been good. Leighton: Great. Thank you. Anyone else? Has it happened to a friend, family member? 11: My girlfriend went on a mission two months ago. Its been hard. Its lonely. Trying to wait for herbut, its been good overall. Just reading her letters, shes grown a lot in two months. And for me, its given me a chance to focus on school

and spirituality, so Leighton: So would you say that both of you have grown from this experience? 11: Yeah. Leighton: Kay. Next? 7: I have a friend that got home two months ago from his mission, and when he got home his girlfriend just got her call. She actually hasnt left yet, but his intention coming home was to get her to stay. After a time and going to the temple and praying about it, they were readyI think they are still ready for marriage, but they felt that the right thing is for her to go, still, for him to wait. So I think it just depends on just praying about it, and receiving counsel. Leighton: If they were in favor of this, what would the long term effects be? Do you think theyd be better for your two situations? 11: Yeah, I think so. 7: I agree. Question 4: Leighton: How do missions negatively or positively impact relationship suitability? Answer for the short term and for the long term; thats part A and B for this question. 5: Suitability as in?

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Leighton: Match-making. What positive and negative effects are there for the short term, and for the long term. Those of you that are done, could I have a couple responses? Any of you that feel strongly? 9: I put that its positive for both short-term and long-term. Short-term, I think, when I take girls out on dates and things like that, I see girls that have been out on missions and those that might not have worked out or anything, I see really great qualities in them, and it makes me know a little bit more why I want a future with them. And then, long-term, I think its just having, like everyone else has been saying, having both people be spiritually mature in the gospel, and we have that. Leighton: So you said for the short-term its positive too; these girls that youre taking out on dates, are they returned missionaries, or are the mostly pre-missionaries? 9: Ive took out more girls that have served. Leighton: Alright, I want to hear an answer for negative effects of the short-term. 11: Well, when youre going on dates with girls that havent gone on missions you have to consider the fact that theyre going to be leaving, and that sets your thoughts about whether or not to pursue that person, you know. Leighton: OK, what about positive short-term? No? Kay, Longterm? What are the negative effects of long-term, if any? Kay, positive?

13: You have a little bit stronger foundation, I think, it strengthens your relationship. Leighton: Kay. 11: Another way I see it, is youre going to get married in the temple, theyre going to get married in the temple, whether its to each other or notit doesnt really matter. In the long run, as long as you both get married in the temple, its a good thing. Leighton: So you feel like a returned missionary is more likely to get married in the temple? 11: Yeah. Leighton: And thats positive for any group? 11: And then they get to serve the Lord before that, too, so theyre doing a greater good. Leighton: Thank you for your responses. 1: I just think, girls that have served missions are better at talking more directly to you. Younger girls are always afraid, like, Oh, I dont want it to be awkward I feel like return missionaries are the kings of being awkward, so, now theyre at the same level. Leighton: Kay, theyre more direct. 1: yeah.

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Leighton: Any other responses? 10: I think they make better mothers as well, because theyve had to learn to live with others before themselves. Question 5: Leighton: Kay, excellent. Question number 5, now. What are the differences in the dating scene since the announcement of the age change? What are the differences that you guys have perceived since the missionary age change has been put into effect? Thats open to you, how you want to respond to that. Im going to go ahead and get everyones response for this one, just go ahead and say out loud what you wrote. 1: The girls who are not planning on going on missions, I feel like theyre more eager to get married now. 2: Some girls are just going on dates but with no thoughts of getting serious or going further in a relationship because theyre set on leaving. 3: Same thing with him, youre just less likely to nd a relationship with a girl because theyre leaving on a mission. 4: What Ive noticed among guys is a lot of times they avoid going on dates with potential Leighton: Ok are you done with that? 4: Yah I was just I think it will affect it positively it should be a more smooth transition into marriage. because of the companion plan, I think they will have more patience, more

street smarts. Question 6: Leighton: In what ways will the mission age change for women impact marriage among LDS young adults? 5: Um, I think there will be a lot of girls getting married at an older age, which is better, because I met a lot of girls who are not married at like 22 and theyre like an old hag and so, it (laugh) and so... it will be more of a cultural theme to get married at an older age.. and then once they do get married it will be more spiritual and it will be more of a deeper relationship. Leighton: Ok 6: Ok there might be some girls who marry earlier! because they do not have to wait till like 21, and decide to go on a mission, or want to get married instead of just waiting for 21 so... Leighton: K 7: Instead it will make better mothers and wives. Raise the standard, and make better families for children and also girls will be more mature. Leighton: Kay 8: A lot more marriages will fall to missionaries and people will marry younger because just like he meant, the men will come back younger, but they will still be more mature, but be able to have searching to date younger. and there is just more

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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opportunities to date. Leighton: Kay 9: I thought that the girls will get married when they get older, but that they will have better relationships 10: Kind of the same thing that I thought... the marriages would be more solid. Youll have a lot less teen marriages, like 18,19 youll have women getting married and stuff. Leighton: Mmm. Ok. 11. I put stronger and longer marriages Cause, both will be coming home earlier. And I feel like with an equal, um more equal ratio of men to women going out, they will just be stronger. They will just be more changed then they were before. Leighton: So you think, people will actually be, In the long term, end up getting married younger? 11:yeah.. 8: yeah.. 12: I think women coming home will be more goal oriented and it will result in more marriages. 13: I think just like right now for these two years there will be overall less marriages, but eventually it will kind of even out, and then these marriages will be stronger.

Question 7: Leighton: Kay that seems to be somewhat of a trend here. Alright, um the next question is how is your perception changed on female missionaries, now since the age changed? So think to before the missionary age changed, what was your perception on female Missionaries, and now... We have one more question after this so you guys are almost free to go... And so when you have answered, um well see what goes and have everyone go along 1: Uhh theyre just energetic and more enthusiastic. Leighton: Ok so you feel like a younger, more energized group of missionaries are coming out now. 1: Yeah, thats a good thing and a bad thing... Leighton: Ok 2: So uh, before I thought that only typical like only the girls that dont want to get married go on missions, or the ones that are not successful in marriage, want to go on missions Leighton: ok 2: And I feel like now a lot more girls want to go on missions. and its not much of a stigma, Oh, like your old, you dont want to be married so you just go on a mission.. Now more girls want to go on a mission, because they see it as a better option. 3: Before I thought that girls were pretty much mature, because they were 21 and older, and they had more experience. But

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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now afterwards Since they are a bit younger and they do not have as much experience and stuff, Experience on how stuff works So... they are not as experienced... 4: Ive thought mostly just when get married, now more so just serve.. So.. Leighton: You guys kind of feel like a more dedicated group of missionaries is going out? 4: Uh Yeah Leighton: Ok great 5: I say, again that I feel like a lot of missionaries, female missionaries, are following trends again. But it also kind of feels the same with as I think that the girls that are spiritual and want to go are still going. My mom was even telling me that its weird when she saw sister missionaries in Orem that it was just so trendy and she was just kind of like fashionable. Leighton: So a trendier group of missionaries who are also more fashionable. 6: I was on the mission when they made the announcement. So my rst initial reaction, was just kind of like, I was for it. Cause it was like other types of policys about girls. I was considering it was going to be I mean there was just problems. And um just deal with that. But since Ive been home Im like been look at the girls that are going to go out. I have a lot of friends that have gone out on their missions or leaving on their missions. I think its great it has been it is a really positive experience and because they have prepared themselves, they just have time, like I had time before my mission to prepare myself and I think

they have done a good job. And I think that when they were older they had more time to prepare. Um, but, I dont think its going to be a negative. Leighton: Alright we are back on starting with you, (number 12) 12: I agree with them saying that the sisters going out now are more enthusiastic about going on a mission, but I also agree that unfortunately they have the stereotype of the reason why they are going is because of a change in policy. And I personally dont believe that a change in policy is the reason for thousands of women to believe revelation was given to them to go on missions. I think they still need to think it out and pray about it rather than, a change in policy happened I can go earlier, I need to go now. 13: In one way I kinda see it as a trend, but I also think it shines a really good light on the women of the church that theyre that willing to go. Question 9: Leighton: How has this change effected communication in dating? 14:(beginning cut off ) When men nd out that a girl is going on a mission, it is now viewed as a negative because they realized they lost another chance. 13: I feel like women are more straight forward and have a clear idea of what they want so they can be more open about that. I also feel that there is more dicussion on women serving a mission.

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Leighton: So do you guys feel like a little bit of hope has been lost for men during this period of time? 14:In the next year and the half, yeah. 12: For the short term, yeah. 12: I put communication is going to be more direct because on the mission when you are speaking to an investigator you cant beat around the bush you need to be very direct with everything you say. I feel personally that woman are very indecisive and very beat around the bush, and I feel like them going on a mission will help them overcome that. Not saying either way is right or wrong, but for guys itll be better because thats how we understand things. I also said they are with companions all day everyday so they will learn how to overcome problems and contentions better. They will be more understanding, they will be spending a year and a half to two years understanding where an investigator is coming from and their point of view of things, and learn how to over come that. I think they will be able to relate that back to a dating sense and they will be able to see where their boyfriend is coming from on a certain issue and how to overcome that together. 11: The guys are getting more forward, they are doing less of the hanging out and more of the dating, so that they can nd a companion before they leave on their mission. Its getting the guys to kick it in gear. 10: I agree with that and I said that within my personal life with my anc its been a lot easier to talk about the gospel 9:I said communication in dating will stay the same, its up to individuals to make conversations, and I think that some

of the best conversations Ive had are gospel conversations with a girl that hasnt gone on a mission because she was very spiritually minded and I just think that people decide to change themselves. 8: RM girls will consider more in their desire to marry and who they marry and theyll make a better choice. I was talking to my mom the other day and I was mentioning to her that I feel that some of the girls just kind of marry because they are in love with the commitment more so than the guy. The RM guy wants something more specic and a girl just wants any RM thats a good guy. So the girls that will have served missions theyll know more so what they want specically in a guy and theyll want a guy who is good not just a guy who is a downgraded version of an RM who has served a mission and is back. It will keep guys on their toes more and they will try to be better.

3: Communication will improve. Missionaries have companionship inventories, which is working through problems through relationship. So they will be able to talk about it better. So in the long term communication will improve. 2. In short term dating, premies whether guys or girls, bring up the fact that they are going on a mission soon in the relationship so its not such an abrupt thing. 1. Its not so much a relaxed conversation anymore, you just have to get right to screening, whats their future plans, whats going on. So I see it as slightly negative. Question 10:

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Leighton: Would you rather marry a returned missionary at this point in your life, or would you rather marry more promptly and not a returned missionary? 1: Not a returned missionary

rather marry a returned missionary, whys that? 10: Because Ive dated both and theres just a difference in the relationship. 11: I think their goals in life are higher.

2:It doesnt matter 13:Because theyre more mature. 3: It doesnt matter 8: It depends on the girl and the situation 9: Id like to marry a returned missionary but it doesnt matter, as long as theyre spiritually minded. 10: Returned missionary 11: Returned missionary 12: Doesnt matter to me 13: Returned missionary 14: Either/or Leighton: Why not a returned missionary? 1: I dont know. Its kind of personal. Theyre harder to mold. Thats just one thought, thats not my primary reason, Im just thinking to myself right now. Leighton: For those of you that said specically yes, you would Leighton: Alright. Thats the last of it. Thanks for your time we really appreciate it, have a great rest of the night.

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Focus Group Consent Form

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

31

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

32

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

33

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

34

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

35

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

36

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

37

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

38

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

39

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MISSIONS AND MATCHMAKING: HOW THE MISSION AGE CHANGE HAS AFFECTED DATING AT BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY - IDAHO

40

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDIX

2013 Lydia P Binghurst, Kristina Dikhtyarova, Janelle Etzel, CallyAnn D Hamilton and Leighton T Yuma. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.