A letter from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, read Sunday in many LDS worship services, urges members to contribute "regularly and generously" to the church's missionary fund in light of the recent surge in missionary applications. "With the recent change in missionary age of service, the number of missionaries serving has increased dramatically," the letter says. "Many of these new missionaries come from modest circumstances. To help maintain this missionary force, we encourage members, as they are able, to contribute regularly and generously to the General Missionary Fund of the church.
"Members may also contribute to the ward missionary fund to support missionaries from their ward and stake," the letter concludes.