The Connection Between Mormonism and The Boy Scouts of America?

[mhansen]

I was quite an active boy scout before going away to school, I even achieved the rank of Eagle. In all that time, I never knew how active a part Mormonism played in the BSA. I was wondering if someone could explain the precise relationship between the LDS Church and the BSA. Thanks in advance!

[MarginOfError]

bytor and BenRaines can probably offer more insight than I, but I will offer what I can.

First, the purpose of Scouting is, in a nutshell, to develop boys into leaders of men. All of the advancement, activities, merit badges, and skills are secondary to a boy learning to be a leader. However, the advancements, activities, merit badges, and skills are what create an atmosphere in which leadership can be taught. These things, combined with an active outdoor program, put boys in an element where they can teach each other, lead each other, and depend on each other with (hopefully) minimal adult intervention.

Scouting really is an amazing program that is well suited to the development of boys into men. It espouses principles that the Church can relate to. And since the Church has a vested interest in developing new leaders, Scouting makes a very good fit. Having teamed up with Scouting, the Church is able to utilize a program for which the infrastructure and support already exists. There are numerous benefits to the Church that come from using an already established program in terms of time, resources, and economics.

So, the connection between the Church and the BSA is that they have very similar values and goals.

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

The mormons and the United Methodists are both huge supporters. I think the Methodists claim the largest percentage of boy scouts, and the LDS claim the largest number of supported troops.

[Palerider]

The Scout uniform is the working uniform of the Aaronic Priesthood.

Myself, back in 1996 completed my Woodbadge training and my ticket.

[qedd]

Originally Posted by Palerider

The Scout uniform is the working uniform of the Aaronic Priesthood.

No offense, but this forum needs a "Laughed out loud" button. Considering LDS membership is greater outside the U.S. than within and that the Boy Scouts of America is a U.S. institution, does this mean that the majority of Aaronic Priesthood holders fall short?

The Boy Scouts of America is a profit-based organization. The LDS Church utilizes the scouting program as a vehicle to achieve certain objectives, but by no means should one come to the conclusion that there is anything more with regards to the BSA organization itself. Sadly, the Eagle Scout award has become an idol for many.

Please don't get me wrong -- scouting can and will produce worthwhile results in some. We just need to keep its purpose in perspective.

[Palerider]

Originally Posted by qedd

No offense, but this forum needs a "Laughed out loud" button. Considering LDS membership is greater outside the U.S. than within and that the Boy Scouts of America is a U.S. institution, does this mean that the majority of Aaronic Priesthood holders fall short?

The Boy Scouts of America is a profit-based organization. The LDS Church utilizes the scouting program as a vehicle to achieve certain objectives, but by no means should one come to the conclusion that there is anything more with regards to the BSA organization itself. Sadly, the Eagle Scout award has become an idol for many.

Please don't get me wrong -- scouting can and will produce worthwhile results in some. We just need to keep its purpose in perspective.

There was a time that the quote I made was taken from an old Aaronic Priesthood Handbook....from time to time some of the General Authorities speak about Scouting and its purpose......you can laugh out loud all you want.....
LDS.org - Liahona Article - Fulfilling Our Duty to God

LDS.org - Ensign Article - The Aaronic Priesthood—a Gift from God

LDS.org - Ensign Article - The Upward Reach

[Moksha]

As of December 31, 2007, the BSA's membership report by chartered organization indicated that approximately 62 percent of units are sponsored by religious institutions. The Boy Scout annual report indicates that the largest number of Boy Scouts come from LDS sponsored units. 13%of all total scouts

Membership in the Boy Scouts of America is decreasing every year.

[MarginOfError]

Originally Posted by qedd

No offense, but this forum needs a "Laughed out loud" button. Considering LDS membership is greater outside the U.S. than within and that the Boy Scouts of America is a U.S. institution, does this mean that the majority of Aaronic Priesthood holders fall short?

Not at all. It means that in the US, the Scouting program is the official activity arm of the Aaronic Priesthood. In other countries, regional leaders determine what the program should be. In countries with a strong scouting program, scouting will be adopted. In countries where no such program is available, other avenues are pursued.

References to Scouting are numerous in the Church Handbook of Instructions. Stake and ward leaders are charged to take the program quite seriously and I imagine the Church would love to see the international movement grow enough that the program could be adopted in other countries as well.

The Boy Scouts of America is a profit-based organization.

I'd like to see your jusification for that claim.

The LDS Church utilizes the scouting program as a vehicle to achieve certain objectives, but by no means should one come to the conclusion that there is anything more with regards to the BSA organization itself.

I'm sorry you feel that way. But my experiences have been radically different. Scouting, in my opinion, is a far superior to the Church's Duty to God program.

Sadly, the Eagle Scout award has become an idol for many.

This I won't contest, and I hope that more people will begin to see the Eagle Scout award as a badge of honor and not a rite of passage (much in the same way we need to view missionary service).

Please don't get me wrong -- scouting can and will produce worthwhile results in some. We just need to keep its purpose in perspective.

It's purpose is to train boys to become leaders of men. What more perspective do you want?

Originally Posted by mhansen

I was quite an active boy scout before going away to school, I even achieved the rank of Eagle. In all that time, I never knew how active a part Mormonism played in the BSA. I was wondering if someone could explain the precise relationship between the LDS Church and the BSA. Thanks in advance!

I think the precise relationship is the LDS church feels the BSA is an excellent organization that teaches good social and survival skills that the boys could benefit from especially in these days.

[BenRaines]

I have been involved in Scouting since I was 8 years old. Was not LDS until I was 16. Earned my Eagle Rank with the help of dedicated scout leaders. My parents were busy working six days a week and supported me but were not able to be of much assistance. At 23 I was a Scoutmaster. Later a unit organizer, recruiter, District Commissioner, etc. Have been a Scoutmaster several times and currently serve as an Assistant Scoutmaster.

I have never made a dime as a Scouter. I have spent thousands to be involved in Scouting.

Boy Scouts of America is a non-profit organization. True there are people that make a living working for BSA. I at one time considered being a professional scouter. There was no money to be made doing it. Would be at poverty level.

Scouting is not about the leaders, the volunteers it is about the boys. Teaching themto be leaders, to love the outdoors, to respect others and nature.

Parents are the ones who make Eagle Scout rank an idol. "You can't have a drivers license until you are Eagle". "You can't date until you are Eagle" Etc. Etc.

I work with young men who are building confidence, leadership skills, outdoor skills, potential career skills or knowledge and understanding.

Recently and for years it has been said "Scouting is the activity arm of the Aaronic Priesthood".

For those of you who do not know Scouting was created and organized by Lord Baden Powell in the United Kingdom. BSA was modeled after their program. Scouting is worldwide and not just a United States program.

Ben Raines