This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A historic wave of young Mormon missionaries is flowing back to Brigham Young University.

"BYU now has more returned missionaries on campus," reads a Tuesday post on the Provo school's website, "than ever before."

The university, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is celebrating the boost in enrollment after a 10 percent dip during the past two years. The exodus of young Mormons followed the church's October 2012 announcement lowering the minimum age to join the faith's global proselytizing force.

Male missionaries now can serve at 18, instead of 19; female missionaries can go out at 19, instead of 21.

Fall enrollment numbers suggest the first to leave are back on campus.

About 63 percent of BYU students have returned to classes after their missionary service, which lasts two years for men and 18 months for women. In 2012, before the age shift, roughly 15,400 students, or 46 percent, had served missions.

The uptick largely can be attributed to young women. The rate of male BYU students who have served missions has jumped from 79 percent in 2012 to 88 percent this semester. For women, the number has skyrocketed — from 10 percent to 33 percent.

About 32,600 students in both undergraduate and graduate programs are now enrolled, compared with 33,00 in fall 2012.

Annie Knox