Why cant older single males serve as senior missionaries

[eddybarillasmendez]

Hi, Just like my title says, why cant single men older than 50 serve as senior missionaries. Single sisters older than 50 can serve as senior missionaries so why cant we? I can serve as a service missionary but I want to serve full time as a senior missionary. I am 56 years old single never been married.

[BrianEdwards]

Hi, Just like my title says, why cant single men older than 50 serve as senior missionaries. Single sisters older than 50 can serve as senior missionaries so why cant we? I can serve as a service missionary but I want to serve full time as a senior missionary. I am 56 years old single never been married.

I believe it's unlikely that anyone can provide any type of "official" information on this question. As you're probably aware, General Handbook 24.2.3 is where this instruction is given, and there is no context or reasoning given. I'm also not aware of any other Church material (FAQs, etc) where explanation is given for the differences with single male and females over 40 serving as senior missionaries (just like there's no reasons provided for why young males can leave at age 18 but young females must wait till they're 19, or why single women can serve up to 29 while single men cannot after they're 25).

While the Lord always encourages us to ponder and counsel with our priesthood leaders about unanswered questions, we also should be careful about making conclusions beyond what the Lord has stated. That said, I'm sensitive to your desires and I know the Lord is aware of them as well.

[sbradshaw]

Good news – this policy just changed! Single senior men can now serve full-time missions:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/new-full-time-mission-opportunities-single-seniors