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)