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Statements by
Church Leaders in Support of Scouting |
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The First
Presidency
"In January 2000,
we introduced an Aaronic Priesthood Achievement
program in areas outside the United States and
Canada where Scouting was not available. The
purpose of the program is to help young men
prepare for the Melchizedek Priesthood, the
temple endowment, a full‑time mission, marriage,
and fatherhood. This program has now been
adapted for use in the United States and Canada
to include the important role of Scouting in the
development of young men. The name has been
changed to Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling
Our Duty to God. . . .
"We desire all
young men to strive to earn the Eagle Scout and
Duty to God Awards. We desire all young women to
strive to earn the Young Womanhood Recognition.
As youth work on these goals, they will develop
skills and attributes that will lead them to the
temple and prepare them for a lifetime of
service to their families and the Lord" (First
Presidency letter, Sept. 28, 2001).
President Gordon B. Hinckley
"I love the
Scouting movement. The promise of the Scout Oath
and the twelve points of the Scout Law point
young men along the path of being prepared for
the 21st century. They provide a solid and
powerful magnetic force toward development of a
well-rounded and noteworthy character that
counts. If every boy in America knew and
observed the Scout Oath, we would do away with
most of the jails and prisons in this country.
If each of us would live up to those few words,
'On my honor, I will do my best,' whether it be
in school, whether it be in our social life,
whether it be in our business or professional
life, if I will do my very best, success and
happiness will be mine" (Boy Scout Jamboral,
Fillmore, Utah, Sept. 27, 1996).
"I am glad to be
able to pay my respects to you who move the
great Scouting program along. We would not have
the kind of gang problems we have if there were
more boys enrolled in Scouting, because the
spirit of Scouting and the spirit of gang life
are contradictory one to another. This program
builds boys, builds their futures, leads them to
the right path so they can make something of
their lives" (Scout‑O‑Rama breakfast, Salt Lake
City, Utah, May 4, 1996).
President Thomas S. Monson
"Youth need fewer
critics and more models. One wise builder of
faith counseled, 'It does not pay to scold. I
believe you can get people to do anything, if
you can get them to do it at all, by loving them
into doing it.' . . .
"We are builders of
boys and menders of men. In doing so, we
remember that the greatest verb in the
vocabulary is to love; the second is to help.
"It is the mission
of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by
helping to instill values in young people and,
in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical
choices over their lifetime in achieving their
full potential.
"I commend you
leaders of boys, for you demonstrate by your
lives that the greatest gift a man can give a
boy is his 'willingness to share a part of his
life with him' " (Church News, June 7,
2003, 4).
"My appreciation
for the Scouting program is deep. Scouting molds
character. . . . I think it's a marvelous
organization" (Rededication of the Boy Scout
Service Center, South Ogden, Utah, June 3,
2003).
"In this world
where some misguided men and women strive to
tear down and destroy great movements such as
Scouting, I am pleased to stand firm for an
organization that teaches duty to God and
country, that embraces the Scout Law. Yes, an
organization whose motto is 'Be prepared' and
whose slogan is 'Do a good turn daily.'
"The Aaronic
Priesthood prepares boys for manhood and the
weightier duties of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Scouting helps our boys to walk uprightly the
priesthood path to exaltation. . . .
"To all the Aaronic
Priesthood assembled tonight with your fathers
and your leaders, the priesthood program of the
Church, with its accompanying activities,
including Scouting, will help and not hinder you
as you journey through life" (Ensign,
Nov. 1993, 48–50).
"Much has been
said in the media of late regarding Scouting.
Let me affirm that The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter‑day Saints has not diminished in any way
its support of the Scouting movement. . . .
"President Ezra
Taft Benson described Scouting as a 'noble
program,' saying, 'It is a builder of character,
not only in the boys, but also in the men who
provide the leadership' ( . . . So Shall Ye
Reap [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co.],
1960, p. 138).
"Brethren, if ever
there were a time when the principles of
Scouting were vitally needed—that time is now.
If ever there were a generation who would
benefit by keeping physically strong, mentally
awake, and morally straight—that generation is
the present generation" (Ensign,
Nov. 1991, 47).
"Every boy blessed
by Scouting learns in his youth far more than
that envisioned by Sir Tom of Warwick. He adopts
the motto 'Be Prepared.' He subscribes to the
code 'Do a Good Turn Daily.' Scouting provides
proficiency badges to encourage skills and
personal endeavor. Scouting teaches boys how to
live, not merely how to make a living. How
pleased I am that The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter‑day Saints in 1913 became the first
partner to sponsor Scouting in the United
States" (Ensign,
Nov. 1982, 20).
President James E. Faust
"Scouting is an
excellent program which develops character in
young men. It has been my observation that those
who attain the rank of Eagle are generally more
successful in other pursuits throughout their
lives. I am grateful for the influence of
Scouting in my life and in the lives of my sons
and grandsons."
Elder Robert D. Hales
"If you will
fulfill the requirements for these priesthood
duties and personal attributes, you will prepare
yourselves for the Melchizedek Priesthood
responsibilities and future challenges in your
life. I promise you that your achievement of the
Duty to God Award will provide you with a living
testimony that will sustain you throughout your
life.
"Where available,
Scouting can also help you in this effort. We
encourage you to participate in Scouting. Many
of the Scouting requirements can fill goals and
requirements of the Duty to God certificates.
"Scouting is part
of the Aaronic Priesthood activity program. The
Duty to God Award is a priesthood award, having
requirements that will help you develop
spiritually and fulfill your priesthood duties"
(Ensign,
Nov. 2001, 39).
Elder Cecil O. Samuelson
"Where Scouting is
available, you will note that many of the
Scouting requirements can fill necessary
expectations for the Duty to God Award. Both
Duty to God and Scouting activities teach us to
'be prepared' in 'every needful thing' (D&C
88:119). Achieving the Duty to God and Eagle
Scout Awards . . . are complementary, not
competitive" (Ensign,
Nov. 2001, 42).
President Ezra Taft Benson, 13th President of
the Church
"It is one of the
choicest experiences in my life to serve in and
participate in Scouting, which I have done for
almost seventy years" ("When l Was Called as
Scoutmaster," Boy Scout Satellite Broadcast,
Salt Lake City, Feb. 14, 1988).
"Young men, take
full advantage of the Church programs. Set your
goals to attain excellence in the achievement
programs of the Church. Earn the Duty to God
Award—one of our most significant priesthood
awards. Become an Eagle Scout. Do not settle for
mediocrity in the great Scouting program of the
Church. . . .
"Give me a young
man who has kept himself morally clean and has
faithfully attended his Church meetings. Give me
a young man who has magnified his priesthood and
has earned the Duty to God Award and is an Eagle
Scout. Give me a young man who is a seminary
graduate and has a burning testimony of the Book
of Mormon. Give me such a young man, and I will
give you a young man who can perform miracles
for the Lord in the mission field and throughout
his life" (Ensign,
May 1986, 44–45).
"Scouting is an
integral part of the Church program for young
men and complements Aaronic Priesthood quorum
work. Where programs for Scout troops are
available, please understand it is not an
optional program. When we speak of Scouting we
are referring to the Boy Scout troop, ages
11–14. A letter from the First Presidency and
Presiding Bishopric to all Regional
Representatives, stake presidents and bishops in
the United States, dated June 20, 1975,
indicated that the Venturing and Exploring
programs were optional.
"The Boy Scout
program, to an unusual degree, is educationally,
socially, and spiritually sound. It builds
character and spirituality and trains a boy for
leadership and citizenship responsibility.
Scouting teaches a boy to take care of himself
and stand on his own two feet. Scouting is an
inspired program for a demanding time, and that
time is now!" (Address to the Young Men general
presidency and board, Sept. 1979).
"For 60 years it
has been my pleasure to maintain contact with
Scouting in one form or another. And I say to
you this morning that Scouting is an inspired
program. I believe Lord Baden‑Powell was
inspired, I believe the young man who performed
a good turn for W. D. Boyce, in London in a fog,
was inspired. Through that good turn, Scouting
came to America in 1910. In 1913 after a serious
study the Mormon Church—as the first church in
America to adopt Scouting—made it a part of
their program for boys and young men, and I
stand before you this morning grateful to the
Lord for the great blessings of Scouting in the
lives of my own children, in the lives of
thousands upon thousands of others" (Boy Scout
Jamboree, July 1977).
"Take time out to
help build a bridge for that boy. . . . I have
faith in the manhood of America; we will not let
our boys down" (God, Family, Country: Our
Three Great Loyalties [1974], 215).
"[Scouting's]
purpose is:
- Character
building—to help to fill the need for
men of shining honor.
-
Citizenship training—to help young men
to develop an uncompromising love for
America and its great concepts and
institutions; to develop a strong attitude
and determination of self‑reliance.
- Leadership
development—to help to answer the great
need of leaders of capacity with high
ideals.
- Physical
fitness—to help to beat down the
tendency, if there is one, of physical
deterioration.
- Spiritual
growth—American foundations and
spiritual perpetuation of America are
assured with spiritually inclined citizenry"
("Scouting: A Great American Partnership,"
Improvement Era, Feb. 1964, 101).
"I would to God
that every boy of Boy Scout age in America could
have the benefits and the blessings of the great
Boy Scout program. It is truly a noble program.
It is a builder of character not only in the
boys but also in the men who provide the
leadership.
"Scouting stresses
service to others, and again this has a
spiritual base. The Scout pledges to help other
people at all times. Was it not the Master who
said, 'Whosoever will be chief among you; let
him be your servant'?" ( . . . So Shall Ye
Reap [1960], 138).
President Spencer W. Kimball, 12th President of
the Church
"I have enjoyed a
long and respectful relationship with Scouting.
I believe in its potential to motivate young men
to live with effectiveness and integrity and to
help them prepare for their manhood. . . .
"The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints stands firm in
its commitment to youth, . . . to the families
they themselves will one day form, and to every
program and effort that seek to build and
strengthen and enrich and ennoble
youth. . . . We've remained strong and firm in
our support of this great movement for boys and
of the Oath and the Law which are at its
center. . . . It is our understanding and belief
that Scouting is still strongly centered in
these duties and principles, and that there is a
determination in its present leadership to
strengthen them further. This being true, The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints
affirms the continued support of Scouting and
will seek to provide leadership which will help
boys keep close to their families and close to
the Church as they develop the qualities of
citizenship and character and fitness which
Scouting represents" (Ensign,
May 1977, 36).
President Harold B. Lee, 11th President of the
Church
"May I say to you:
Scouting will be successful in this Church only
as it relates to and maintains a definite
relationship with the Aaronic Priesthood. May I
put it in a negative way and say that when
Scouting fails to be the activity program for
the priesthood, it will cease to be a
functioning part of the Church
program. . . . The more our Church relationships
representatives understand that, from the head
of this Aaronic Priesthood right down to the
grassroots in the wards and the stakes and the
branches, the more perfectly we will begin to
define that relationship and the more successful
and acceptable Scouting will be" (June 1968).
President George Albert Smith, 8th President of
the Church
"Every boy of
twelve years is eligible for the Boy Scout
organization which has become a part of the
M.I.A. program. Here he does, under specially
selected leadership, what Scouts do elsewhere.
At the time when babies are most easily formed,
he learns to be God‑fearing, obedient to
authority, considerate of others, honorable in
his conduct, in short, to lay a foundation upon
which worthy manhood maybe built. Scout work in
this Church is not different from that of other
communities, except that it is correlated with
the duties of the deacons' quorum, to which
every properly trained boy of twelve is expected
to belong" (April 1930).
President N. Eldon Tanner, Former Counselor in
the First Presidency
"As I have said,
Scouting is officially recognized as part of the
Church program. Let's make it work. Now, having
been a bishop, a stake president, a General
Authority, and a Scout for 50 some-odd years and
as a Scoutmaster, Commissioner of Scouting, and
member of the executive board of Scouting, being
in all those positions and being associated with
Scouting in every one of them, I want to bear
testimony to the importance of Scouting in the
Church. As a boy 14 years of age, I first joined
and worked with our troop. That was a long time
ago, and with that close association, I want to
say to you as Scouters and you as bishops—I wish
I had all the bishops of the Church here and all
stake presidents of the Church, particularly
those who are not converted—I want to say that
this Scout movement helps build the kingdom of
God, it helps us with the priesthood program.
Scouters, through the Scout program, can go out
and reach boys that cannot be reached otherwise.
The President of the Church recognizes that.
That is one of the reasons the program was
officially recognized and accepted as a part of
the Church program. And when we realize that,
brethren, let us go out and save those boys"
(June 1968).
Elder Mark E. Petersen, Former Member of the
Quorum of the Twelve
"If Scouting would
not make better Latter‑day Saints, we would not
have Scouting in the Church. But because
Scouting does make boys better Latter‑day
Saints, we take it into the Church. . . . You
cannot divorce Church work from Scouting. When
you are building Scouting in your boys, you are
building the work of God and helping to
establish the kingdom on the earth."
Elder F. Melvin Hammond, Former Young Men
General President
"Scouting has been
adopted as the activity arm of the Aaronic
Priesthood in the United States of America. It
is a marvelous program of adventure and
learning. In Scouting boys learn outdoor skills,
they acquire leadership abilities, they endure
physical challenges, and they build within
themselves strong and noble character traits. We
want every young man from the age of eight, when
he becomes a Cub Scout, to the age of sixteen to
be enrolled in Scouting, and we encourage those
boys sixteen through seventeen to be involved in
Venturing. Their goal should be to earn the
coveted Eagle Scout Award" (Area Auxiliary
Training, Oct. 8, 2003).
"Every seminary
and institute student should come to understand
that doctrinal knowledge of the gospel, when
accompanied by the Spirit of Truth and total
commitment, will change their lives and prompt
them to . . . complete their Duty to God and,
where Scouting is available, achieve the top
award. Too many teachers fail to see the link
between these inspired programs and spiritual
living" (CES Satellite Training Broadcast, Aug.
2003).
"The Scouting
program of the Church with its wonderful
activities has strengthened our young men. As
they advance from a Tenderfoot Scout through the
various ranks, until they achieve their Eagle
Scout Award, they grow in stature and in spirit.
Their bodies are developed physically. They
learn outdoor skills that test their character
and their intellect. Every boy, whether he
enjoys athletics or literature, can find a
welcome niche in Scouting.
"If someone
questions the position of the Church in
Scouting, I always remind them of these words,
'On my honor I will do my duty to God and my
country. . . ." Once again duty becomes
paramount. A commitment is made by each Scout;
he has given his word of honor, that he will do
all in his power to uphold Heavenly Father and
keep His commandments. A love of country, with a
desire to maintain freedom and liberty, is
established in a boy's mind, and it never leaves
him during the course of his life. I thank God
for Scouting" ("Fulfilling Our Duty to God"
[unpublished], Jan. 2002).
"Duty to God
embraces Scouting, which is wonderful for our
young men. I see no conflict at all between Duty
to God and Scouting. Duty to God focuses more on
the spiritual—bringing young men to Christ.
Scouting is primarily an activity program with
some spirituality as well. They are
complementary to one another.
"Most young men
going through the Scouting program get their
awards by the time they are 14–15 years old.
After that, it becomes more difficult to excite
young men about Scouting. Duty to God will help
bridge that gap" (Ensign,
Jan. 2002, 9).
"[The Duty to God
program] started some years ago internationally
to help young men through the Aaronic Priesthood
years, to fill in where Scouting was not
available, and to help develop their testimonies
and understanding of the gospel and to help
young men come to Christ. . . .
"Our effort was to
find something that would be compatible with
priesthood principles and also with Scouting.
Duty to God embraces Scouting, which is
wonderful for our young men. . . . Duty to God
focuses more on the spiritual—bringing young men
to Christ. Scouting is primarily an activity
program with some spirituality as well. They are
complementary to one another" (New
Era, Jan. 2002, 13, 15).
"It is vital that
you [thousands of Latter-day Saint Scouts
participating in the 2001 National Jamboree]
march the path from Tenderfoot to Eagle Scout
and continue on to serve a full‑time mission.
You have to stretch to prepare to be a full‑time
missionary. Scouting will help in the
stretching . . . especially attending a
sacrament meeting in the pouring rain like at
this National Jamboree" (2001 National
Jamboree).
Elder Robert K. Dellenbach, Former Young Men
General President
"In the Scout
Oath, we pledge our 'Duty to God.' All
Latter‑day Saint Scouters, whether young or old,
have a duty and a responsibility to defend the
principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, we
are taught that our duty to God supersedes
everything else. Through Scouting we learn to be
honest, morally clean, trustworthy, and
dependable. Some of my fondest memories as a
youth are those wonderful experiences I had in
Scouting. My Scoutmaster taught me the gospel as
well as the adventures of Scouting. How grateful
I am that this wonderful organization of
Scouting has a strong commitment to the values
and principles taught to us by the Savior, Jesus
Christ.
"May we always be
ready to do our duty to God and keep the
commandments in our Scouting and in our everyday
life. . . .
"One of the major
reasons why the Church accepts the Scouting
program as part of the activity program for the
Aaronic Priesthood quorums is that it provides
so many marvelous opportunities to learn and do
things. The whole design of getting merit badges
and your Eagle Award is to help you grow both in
knowledge and in the proper character
development" (National Jamboree, Fort A. P.
Hill, Virginia, July 29, 2001).
Elder Jack H. Goaslind, Former Young Men General
President
"We encourage our
leaders to put their energies into using
Scouting to help accomplish the purposes of the
Aaronic Priesthood, and in being positive in
their support of all young men. The Scout Oath,
Law, Motto, and Slogan complement the
achievement of the Aaronic Priesthood purposes
we feel are so important in the lives of the
young men."
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, Former Young Men
General President
"There are four
things that are absolutely essential in a great
Scout leader. I call them the four T's:
- Testimony—that
they have a testimony of the Lord Jesus
Christ, His Atonement, and that this Church
is God's Church.
- Trained—they
need to be trained, not only by the Church,
but as well by Boy Scouts of America within
the districts and council.
- Time—they need
to have time to be a leader of boys.
- Tenure—short
tenure if they don't enjoy the work and are
not willing to put in the time necessary,
and long tenure if they love the young men
and want to serve them with all their hearts
and souls."
Elder Robert L. Backman, Former Young Men
General President
"The bishop's most
positive impact on youth comes in informal
settings, activities, Scouting, service
projects, athletics—real‑life settings where
they get to know him as a man. . . .
". . . Scouting
provides a tested, proven program for us to use
in holding our young men close to the Church. It
appeals to boys. Its trail to the Eagle rank
helps a young man set worthwhile goals, then
realize them. For some reason there is a direct
correlation between young men who achieve the
Eagle rank and those who serve missions. . . .
"Its camping,
hiking, and high adventure provide marvelous
opportunities for our young men to enjoy a man's
experience with men, building wholesome
relationships between youth and adult leaders,
something that happens too seldom in our day.
Becoming a man is more than chronological. It
involves proving the young man's manhood,
testing his mettle, challenging the world,
demonstrating he can accomplish more than he
thought he was capable of. That's what builds
character and manliness" (Ensign,
Nov. 1982, 39–40).
"On May 21, 1913,
the Church entered wholeheartedly into that
partnership with the Boy Scouts of America. Oh,
we've had a few pauses along the way a few years
back, which we're just recovering from, but I
want you to understand that partnership is firm
today. Did you know that The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter‑day Saints is the largest user
of all other religious organizations using the
Scouting program? Doesn't that make you proud to
be a part of this great organization? Talk about
the wallop we have, you see what I mean. And in
return, Scouting has carefully guarded its
relationship with its partners. That's what's
unique about the Boy Scouts of America. It
provides the program. We provide the leadership
in the manner in which we use it and they don't
interfere in that, despite some of the things
they might like to see happening" (University of
Utah, Oct. 1978).
Bishop Victor L. Brown, Former Presiding Bishop
"We are grateful
for our long and fruitful association with
Scouting and for the beneficial effects on the
lives of the young men when priesthood leaders
effectively use Scouting to assist the work of
the Aaronic Priesthood. We want to reaffirm our
wholehearted support of Scouting. Of all the
organizations in the U.S.A. having to do with
boys, we feel this is the finest throughout the
nation, and we have no question but what BSA
adds a great dimension to the activity of our
young boys" (1972).
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