froggy1

Thanks everyone for your responses. I think my post was prompted by some unneeded post-baptism, newly-LDS fears. But now that I think about it, I don't believe after coming all this way to join the church, God would simply turn me loose without some plan for my future. I understand the point that if she is so wrapped up in landing a returned missionary that it's all she looks at, then she's not the girl I'd want to be with anyway. I see all of these great men of the church and want to be like them, and while at the same time I know missionary work is a wonderful thing, I feel that I'm unfortunately not meant to take that step. I also just read that President Monson didn't go on a full time mission, so I feel I'm meant to do missionary work in other ways. I also suppose it would be a divine travesty to assume Heavenly Father considers converts who follow all the ways of the church but just don't go on missions as an unworthy set; and I guess the same goes for girls.

Can you actually still serve a mission as a convert to the church at my age? I didn't expect that I would be able to, at least for another two years, at which time I'll be nearly 24.

Newcomer here! Great to see a forum for LDS. I'm a 21 year old guy and was just baptized as a convert into the church, after two years of study and finally being certain this church is true. I firmly want nothing less than to be sealed in the temple with whoever I eventually marry. However, I understand that at my age, LDS girls are encouraged to only date returned missionaries, and thus while I've been relatively alright with girls before, I'm now perhaps at the bottom of the pool in that regard, as a convert who unfortunately can't do this (and, who has a one year waiting period before I'm even eligible for a temple recommend). As a convert, how difficult of a time would I have meeting a good Mormon girl who will take me seriously, or is it more culturally appropriate for me to look for converts like me? I want the non-sugar-coated truth here: I know every church has traditions, so if this is just the way things are I want to know so I don't go stumbling into a Singles Ward without knowing I actually belong elsewhere (or, that I need to distract the RMs with snacks/firecrackers first). Has anyone here ever dated/married a convert and this become an issue? Thanks :) (admin: if this is in the wrong spot, please feel free to move it. I'm slowly getting a feel for the board organization)