He is quoted at Deseret News:
I also noted that there are over 85,000 full-time missionaries currently serving. A few years ago, when the age-lowering for missionaries was announced, I assumed that this would result in a "bump" up in missionaries, which did occur, followed by a decrease back down to perhaps 60,000 missionaries.Elder Cook mentioned that some believe that more members are leaving the Church today, and that there is more doubt and unbelief than in the past.
“This is simply not true,” he said. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has never been stronger. The number of members removing their names from the records of the Church has always been very small and is significantly less in recent years than in the past. The increase in demonstrably measurable areas, such as endowed members with a current temple recommend, adult full-tithe payers and those serving missions, has been dramatic.
“Let me say again, the Church has never been stronger. But, ‘Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. …’ We reach out to everyone.”
I was wrong about the latter -- the number of full-time missionaries NOW is much larger than I expected -- and this is very encouraging!
In our small branch near Adam-ondi in Missouri, the young Sister missionaries are WONDERFUL! and so are the senior Sister missionaries. And the branch is growing, with two baptisms in March.