Scouting and the LDS Church

8/10/2019 Scouting and the LDS Church

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SCOUTING

&The Church of Jesus Christof Latter-day Saints


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Dear Scouter:

Te purpose o this resource is to provide you with inormation about Te Church oJesus Christ o Latter-day Saints (the Church; LDS) that will help you in building a good workingrelationship with the leaders o the Church. No amount o written inormation could compensateor spending time with the leaders o a chartered organization. However, the knowledge gained bystudying the contents o this packet will help you prepare a oundation to build an association thatwill strengthen the quality o Scouting in your district and council.

In addition to the inormation that ollows, we suggest that you obtain the ollowing threeseparate publications, all o which are published by Te Church o Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints:

Scouting Handbook

Church Handbook of Instructions,Aaronic Priesthood

Church Handbook of lnstructions,Primary

We hope you will find this inormation valuable in helping to build a solid relationshipwith Church leaders. Additional Scouting inormation can be ound at the LDS-BSA Relationships

Web site at www.ldsbsa.org or the Church Web site at www.lds.org.

Sincerely,

David C. Pack, Director LDS-BSA Relationships

15 West South Temple, Suite 1070Salt Lake City, UT 84101-1579801-530-0004 (Bus)801-530-0029 (Fax)www.ldsbsa.org

Prepared. For Life.TM

LDS-BSA Relationships


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ContentsA Brie History o Te Church o Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 1

Te Articles o Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2A Brie History o Scouting in the Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3

Latter-day Saint Membership in the Boy Scouts o America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4

Scouting Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4

Eagle Scouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5

Unit Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5

Eleven-Year-Old Scouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5

iger Cubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5

Keeping Current With Registrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7

raining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8

Roundtable Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8

LDS Scouting Leadership Conerence at Philmont and Little Philmonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 9

Service at the District and Council Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9

Commissioner Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 9

Council LDS Relationships Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10

Order o the Arrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10

Fund-Raising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10

Outdoor Program: Policies or Church Units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 11

Monday Night Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 11

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 12

Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 13

Tis information, produced by the LDS-BSA Relationships office in Salt Lake City, Utah, is aresource for all interested Scouters to help them understand Scouting in Te Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints. Tis is an official publication of the Boy Scouts of America and is intendedfor the use of professional and volunteer Scout leaders on a national, council, and district level in

servicing the Scouting units in Te Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If you are unfamiliarwith LDS terms, we recommend you first review the definitions on page 12.


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A Brief History of The Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In the spring o 1820, 14-year-old Joseph Smith Jr. retired to the woods near his home in Palmyra,New York, and offered a simple prayer to our Father in Heaven. Tis humble prayer set intomotion a series o events that brought Te Church o Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints rom itsobscure beginnings in upstate New York to prominence as a worldwide Christian church.

Joseph Smith Jr. was born December 23, 1805, to Joseph SmithSr. and Lucy Mack Smith in Sharon, Vermont. Between 1823 and1827, he was directed by heavenly messengers to the locationo gold plates that contained a written history o the ancientinhabitants o the Americas. In 1827 Joseph began translating thecharacters engraved on the plates, completing the translation in

June o 1829. Te first edition o the Book o Mormon was printedin March 1830; on April 6, 1830, Te Church o Jesus Christ oLatter-day Saints was organized in Fayette ownship, New York.

Over the next 14 years, the membership o the Church increased significantly, but religiouspersecution orced the Latter-day Saints to move rom New York to Ohio, then to Missouri, andlater to Illinois. On June 27, 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred in the jail in Carthage,Illinois, sealing with his blood the testimony o his work. As persecution grew, the Saints wereagain orced to leave their homes; in the winter o 1846, they lef Nauvoo, Illinois, crossing therozen Mississippi River. Tey continued to move westward, eventually settling in what laterbecame Salt Lake City, Utah. Over a period o a ew short years, more than 70,000 Mormonpioneers crossed the plains to join the Saints in the Rocky Mountains.

oday the Church is a worldwide organization with more members outside o the United Statesthan inside. Te Church o Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints has more than 13 million membersworldwide and is one o the astest-growing churches in the world.

For further information on the history of e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, refer towww.lds.org.


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The Articles of Faith

Te Articles o Faith outline 13 basic points o belie o Te Church o Jesus Christ o Latter-

day Saints. Te Prophet Joseph Smith first wrote them in an 1842 letter to John Wentworth, anewspaper editor, in response to Mr. Wentworths request to know what members o the Churchbelieved. Tey were subsequently published in Church periodicals.

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished or their own sins, and not or Adams transgression.

3. We believe that through the Atonement o Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedienceto the laws and ordinances o the Gospel.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances o the Gospel are: first, Faith in theLord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion or the remission osins; ourth, Laying on o hands or the gif o the Holy Ghost.

5. We believe that a man must be called o God, by prophecy, and by the laying on o hands bythose who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereo.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely,apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so orth.

7. We believe in the gif o tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation otongues, and so orth.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word o God as ar as it is translated correctly; we alsobelieve the Book o Mormon to be the word o God.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He

will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom o God. 10. We believe in the literal gathering o Israel and in the restoration o the en ribes;

that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christwill reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive itsparadisiacal glory.

11. We claim the privilege o worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates o our ownconscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or whatthey may.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying,honoring, and sustaining the law.

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men;indeed, we may say that we ollow the admonition o PaulWe believe all things, we hopeall things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. I there isanything virtuous, lovely, or o good report or praiseworthy, we seek afer these things.

Joseph Smith


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A Brief History of Scouting in the Church

Te Young Men Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA) o Te Church o Jesus Christ o

Latter-day Saints was organized June 10, 1875, under the direction o President Brigham Young.Its purpose was to provide leisure-time activities, particularly along spiritual and cultural lines,or the young men o the Church. Later, athletics were made part o the program. Afer news wasreceived by Church leaders about the introduction o Boy Scouting by Robert Baden-Powell inEngland in 1907 and the organizing o the Boy Scouts o America in 1910, the idea o the Scouting

movement was investigated by the Athletic Committeeo the YMMIA. On November 29, 1911, the YMMIAScouts were officially recognized by the General Boardo the YMMIA. Te YMMIA Scouts, upon invitationrom the National (BSA) Council, became a part o theBoy Scouts o America on May 21, 1913.

A number o key Church leaders currently serve onnational and regional BSA committees. Most notableis Tomas S. Monson, President o the Church, whohas served on the BSA National Executive Board since1969. Others include the Young Men general president,who serves on the National Executive Board; and Young

Men general presidency and Primary general presidency, who serve as members o the NationalAdvisory Board. Many other key Church leaders and dedicated members o the Church serve atall levels o Scouting throughout the United States.

At the council level, each Scout executive should build a good working relationship with the stakepresident. Te district executive(s) should know which counselor in the stake presidency hasstewardship over Scouting and should have a positive relationship with this individual. Te districtexecutive should meet annually with the bishop o each ward and have a close relationship withthe chartered organization representative, who is generally a member o the bishopric.

Scouting has evolved into an important component o the Churchs youth programs. Whenproperly carried out under the direction o priesthood leaders, Scouting supplements activitieso boys and young men ages eight to eighteen. Scouting also assists in accomplishing the eternalpurposes o the priesthood and amilies.

Refer to e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/Scouting Structure on page 15.


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Latter-day Saint Membership in theBoy Scouts of America

According to a report published by the Boy Scouts o America (December 31, 2009) titledop 30 Chartered Organizations Ranked by Youth, Te Church o Jesus Christ o Latter-daySaints was ranked as number one in total units and number one in membership. Te report alsostates that nationally about 17 percent o the BSAs traditional membership is registered in unitssponsored by the Church. Te percentage is much higher in the western United States.

Scouting Units

Scouting under Church sponsorship must not operate independently o the priesthood and theamily. Te Scout unit becomes an extension o the home and the Churchthe deacons, teachers,

and priests quorum, and the Primary classesand unctions as part o the Churchs activity programor boys and young men. Where Scouting is authorized by the Church, a Cub Scout pack, a BoyScout troop, and a Varsity team should be chartered by wards and branches that have two or moreboys o the particular age served by the program. While Venturing crews are optional, Venturing isrecommended as the activity arm o the priests quorum.

Te Church does not organize Scouting units through stakes, but rather through wards and branchesas mentioned above. Although it is appropriate to have small units join with other wards andbranches or activities (such as multiple-ward pack meetings or campouts), the merging/registeringo boys rom various wards to create one larger unit (with one unit number) is discouraged. Teresponsibility and stewardship or the Scouting, Primary, and Young Men programs lies primarilywith the bishop and his counselors. Te bishop serves as the president o the Aaronic Priesthoodand is responsible or teaching and training Aaronic Priesthood quorum leaders. Individual youngmen are called to serve as the deacons quorum president, the teachers quorum president, and priestsquorum assistants. Te senior patrol leader, Varsity team captain, and Venturing crew leader areusually the youth quorum leaders. Scouting is a great tool to teach the young men leadership skills.

Te Church has opted to use age to determine membership in Scouting programs. Because age isused by the Church in organizing quorums, membership in a Scouting unit is likewise determinedby age (instead o school grade). Boys join Cub Scouts at age 8 in conjunction with their baptism,and become Boy Scouts at age 11, Varsity Scouts at age 14, and Venturers at age 16. Even thoughthe units may be smaller than most non-LDS units, separate age-group units are encouragedto maintain priesthood quorum integrity and identity, as well as priesthood lines o authority.

Individuals (youth and adults) do not need to be members o the Church in order to register andserve with Church-sponsored Scouting units. Women do not participate as youth members oVenturing crews. However, a woman can be called as a den leader, Cubmaster, committee member,or 11-year-old Scout leader.

Refer to the LDS Scouting Organization charts for stake and ward levels in the appendices onpages 1617.


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Eagle Scouts

A higher percentage o Scouts in units sponsored by the Church reach the rank o Eagle than the

national BSA average. Tis is due to a couple o important actors that are not as common in unitschartered to other organizations. First, a very high retention in the program means that mostLDS Scouts stay active in Scouting until age 18, increasing the opportunities or advancementand leadership experience. Second, because the Scouting program is so ully integrated into theChurchs youth program, the leadership o the Church places an emphasis on earning the ranko Eagle Scout while simultaneously working on the Churchs Duty to God Award. Tereore, thesupport mechanism beyond the amily and unit is very strong or young men seeking the rank.

Unit Leadership

Under the direction o the wards bishop, men are called to serve asadvisers to the three quorums and serve as the Young Men presidencyo the ward. Generally, these men also serve as Scoutmaster, VarsityScout Coach, and Venturing crew Advisor. I assistant quorum advisersare called, they may serve in these roles or may assist the quorum adviser.In the Primary, one o the Primary presidency members serves as amember o the pack committee and one serves as a member o the troopcommittee representing the 11-year-old Scout patrol. A Scout committeeshould be as large as needed to carry out its responsibilities to theindividual Scouting unit. All committee members, whether members othe Church or not, must understand and be willing to maintain Churchstandards. Where leadership or the number o young men or boys is

limited, one committee could represent all Scouting units in the ward.

Eleven-Year-Old Scouts

A patrol o 11-year-old Scouts (under the direction o the Primary, with the boys being registeredin the Boy Scout troop) is comparable to what is known as the New Scout patrol in Scoutingnomenclature. A member o the ward Primary presidency works with an adult who is called to bean assistant Scoutmaster with the 11-year-old patrol (this assistant Scoutmaster is known as theleader o the 11-year-old Scouts). Te primary goal o the Scouts in this patrol should be to attainFirst Class rank advancement within a year.

Tiger Cubs

Te Church does not sponsor Scouting programs or boys younger than 8 years old.

Refer to the LDS Scouting Organization charts for stake and ward levels in the appendix onpages 1617.


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Keeping Current With Registrations

In a letter dated March 17, 1999, which was sent to all General Authorities and the ollowing leaders

in the United States: Area Authority Seventies; Stake, Mission, and District Presidents; Bishops andBranch Presidents, President Boyd K. Packer, President o the Quorum o the welve Apostles,stated, All adults called to serve in Church Scouting should be worthy and exempliy gospel living.Please be sure that the current membership record o each member called to serve in the Scoutingprogram is in the local unit. Also ensure that all Scout leaders are registered with the Boy Scouts o

America beore they begin their service. Te directiveto have all adults registered prior to serving was againemphasized by President Tomas S. Monson in the May2007 Aaronic Priesthood and Scouting broadcast. In thatbroadcast, the Young Men General President stated thatit is the policy o the Church to register all eligible youthmembers o the Church with the BSA. It is then the roleo the local leaders to reactivate the less active youththrough Scouting.

Annual registration ees are paid or youth, adult leaders,and the unit by the Church through the local stakebudget. Youth who turn 8, 11, 14, or 16 (joining thepack, troop, team, or crew respectively) or who moveinto the ward, as well as newly called leaders (i.e. newlyselected or moving to a different Scouting unit in theward), should be registered immediately upon joiningthe unit. I an adult or youth member has an unexpired

membership certificate, the application should be markedranser (the transer processing ee is only $1). Inorder to ensure that all registrations have been properlyprocessed by the council, it is recommended that eachward do a membership inventory twice each year.

Te council should work with ward leaders and compare the wards unit rosters o leaders andScouting-age boys with the list o members the council records show are registered in the wardScouting units. Any discrepancies between the two lists should be corrected as soon as possibleand any new registrations turned into the council office immediately. Te district executive,working with the unit commissioner, can be o help in acilitating the periodic reviews.

Refer to Church Policies Concerning BSA Registration in the appendix on page 18.


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Training

Te LDS Scouting Handbookplaces an increased responsibility on Church leaders, both stake and

ward, to train LDS Scout leaders in the Scouting program. Tis means that stake and ward leadersneed to know the Scouting program and must be trained themselves.

In January 2010, the Young Men General Presidency wrote, Mandatory training or Scout leaderswill be rolled out over the next three years. All direct-contact leaders will need to attend in orderto remain registered. It is the local councils responsibility to provide training or all leaders inthe program. Each council needs to ocus on training individual leaders, and should not solelyprovide training or leaders to attend. Te Church o Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints supports themandatory training policy and desires all Scouting leaders to receive the training necessary ortheir individual position.

Te Young Men General Presidency also stated, We must find ways to help each adult who works

with Young Men to have a desire to become ully trained. I we are going to be able to providea dynamic Aaronic Priesthood activity program that develops them spiritually, creates strongbrotherhood, provides wide opportunity or service to others, and reaches out to all young men,we must be better prepared to use the tools o Scouting through proper understanding. Tatunderstanding only comes through effective training and proper implementation.

Te Boy Scouts o America offers basic training or each Scouting position, as well as other coursessuch as Wood Badge, to help leaders learn Scouting methods and skills. aking training shouldhelp the leaders properly understand the program so that it meets the intended results o both theBSA and the Church. Scout leaders may enroll in these courses to supplement training rom localpriesthood leaders.

In the February 2007 LDS Relationships Newsletter,the Young Men General Presidencyemphasized the importance o Wood Badge training: I we are really intent in touching thelives o our young menin building, as Elder Ballard has challenged, the greatest generationo missionaries this world has ever seenthen we will do whatever is necessary to help us toaccomplish that, including getting trained. For most o us, Wood Badge is lie-changing becauseit has to do more with vision and understanding this great tool or strengthening young meno the Aaronic Priesthood than anything else.

Roundtable Attendance

While BSA basic training and supplemental Church training provide an excellent oundation,attendance at monthly roundtables or Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturingadult leaders helps a leader renew skills, allows leaders to share ideas, and inorms leaders aboutupcoming district/council events. Roundtables are an excellent opportunity or Scout leaders inthe Church to gain a deeper understanding o practical ways to use Scouting in ulfilling theirChurch responsibilities. Volunteering as members o their district roundtable staff is another wayor Church Scout leaders to serve at the district level, while orming new riendships and getting ahead start on planning their unit activities.


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LDS Scouting Leadership Conference atPhilmont and Little Philmonts

Each year, LDS stake presidents are invited to attend a week-long training experience at PhilmontScout Ranch. Te invitations to attend are sent rom the Church and directed to stake presidentsand their counselors. Normally, more than 160 leaders and 500 amily members attend during oneo two available weeks. It is a powerul training experience or the individuals. As a part o theirexperience at Philmont, stake leaders are requested to return home and plan and conduct a stake(or multiple-stake) Little Philmont, and teach the principles learned at Philmont to Scout leaderswho attend. Te BSA proessionals support o a Little Philmont is beneficial and should be sought.

Service at the District and Council Levels

It is desirable or youth leaders o the Church to become involved in district and council Scouting.Latter-day Saint leaders who have a desire to serve should be encouraged to volunteer on districtand council committees and to work with other volunteers and the council proessional staff tocarry out the total Scouting program.

Te LDSScouting Handbookstates: Priesthood leaders may participate as volunteers in districtand council Scouting committees and activities to solidiy relationships between Scouting and theChurch. In every instance, leaders should do everything possible within Church policies to creategoodwill, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the two [organizations].

Refer to LDS Leadership Positions and Possible BSA Positions as posted on www.ldsbsa.org.

Commissioner Service

Commissioner service is a valuable way or the council and district to engage stake leadershipin Scouting. Each LDS stake has a Young Men presidency and a Primary presidency that isorganized to take care o Scoutings needs in the stake. Te stake Young Men presidency work wellas commissioners or Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturing. Te stake Primary presidencyservice Cub Scouts and 11-year-old Scouts. Te council and district should work with stakepresidencies to recruit stake leadership to help with commissioner service. By being involved incommissioner service, these recruited LDS leaders are able to:

1. Help ward leaders know and understand Church Scouting policies.2. Encourage ward Scout leaders to participate in basic training and other

approved training.3. Evaluate the quality o the boys program by visiting ward Scout meetings and

activities periodically.

Refer to the LDS Scouting Organization charts for stake and ward levels in the appendixes onpages 1617. Also see LDS Leadership Positions and Possible BSA Positions for commissionerrecommendations as posted on www.ldsbsa.org.


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Council LDS Relationships Committees

Each council should have an active LDS relationships committee. Te chairman o the committee

should be a currently serving stake president or his counselor; representatives rom each stakepresidency should serve on the council. Depending on the size o the LDS population in thecouncil, this committee may be organized on a council or district basis, or both. Te councilLDS relationships committee provides an opportunity or the committee to support the councilsChurch-sponsored Scouting units. Tis committee may also be asked to answer requests romthe LDS-BSA Relationships office in Salt Lake City to share inormation on the status o localunits progress with charter renewal, Centennial Quality Unit status, training o leaders, Friendso Scouting, summer camp attendance, and so on. In many councils, the Scout executive or hisdesignee serves as the proessional adviser to the council LDS relationships committee. I yourcouncil does not have an LDS relationships committee, please contact the LDS-BSA Relationshipsoffice at 801-530-0004 or assistance.

Order of the Arrow

Te Order o the Arrow (OA) is Scoutings national honorsociety. It supports the teachings o the Church regardingcheerul service and brotherhood. roops and teamsmay hold elections or their youth, and adults can berecommended or membership and participate as well.

Fund-Raising

Stakes and wards should und all youth activities, including Scouting, rom the budget allowance.I budget allowance unds are insufficient, young men may individually earn their own money orthe cost o one annual camp. Annual day-camp experiences or Cub Scouts also qualiy as annualcamps. I budget allowance unds are insufficient and young men are unable to individually earnenough or the one annual camp, as a last resort, they may hold group und-raising activities,i done in accordance with the Budget Allowance Guidelines. Wards do not charge young men,including Cub Scouts, ees or dues or weekly or monthly activities. Young men and Cub Scoutsmay hold group und-raising activities to pay or equipment or the unit i there is not sufficientbudget allowance.

Tose conducting und-raising activities should:

1. Obtain the bishops approval or the activity. 2. Not sell products or services door-to-door. 3. Provide meaningul value or service. 4. Provide a positive experience and build harmony and unity within the group. 5. Comply with tax and liability guidelines presented in the Church Handbook of

Instructions. For more inormation, they should contact their stake president or bishop.


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Priesthood leaders should take special care to see that members are not made to eel obligated tocontribute to und-raising activities. Contributions should be voluntary.

Since Scouting is an integral part o the Church program or youth, registration ees are paidby the stake and reimbursed by Church headquarters, and activity expenses are covered by theChurch through the budget allowance. A subscription to Boys Lifemagazine is encouraged, butoptional, and can be purchased by the Scout or his amily.

Friends o Scouting is a BSA und-raiser that benefits each local council. Te Church supportsFriends o Scouting as a separate voluntary solicitation. Everymember o every ward should be offered the opportunity tocontribute to Friends o Scouting.

For more information on fund-raising activities, please refer towww.ldsbsa.org.

Outdoor Program: Policies forChurch Units

Latter-day Saint members are directed by the Church to nottravel to or rom camps on Sundays. Most campouts shouldend no later than Saturday. Te Church does not approve ohiking and camping trips on Sunday. Jamboree and special LDSencampments require special permission. Any planned activitiesshould be consistent with keeping the Sabbath holy. For

Primary-age boys, day camp attendance is strongly encouraged,but Cub Scouts (ages 8 through 10) do not go on any Scout-sponsored overnight camping tripsother than amily camps. Eleven-year-old Boy Scouts may camp on a one-night overnighter threetimes a year in order to satisy the requirements o the enderoot, Second Class, and First Classrank advancements. For more inormation, reer to the LDSScouting Handbook.

Monday Night Activities

In a letter to members o the Church throughout the world, the First Presidency stated: Mondaynights are reserved throughout the Church or amily home evenings. We encourage members to

set aside this time to strengthen amily ties and teach the gospel in their homes. Where practical,members may also want to encourage community and school leaders to avoid scheduling activitieson Monday evenings that require children or parents to be away rom their homes. Churchbuildings and acilities should be closed on Monday evenings. No ward or stake activities shouldbe planned, and other interruptions to amily home evenings should be avoided. However, thereare situationssuch as week-long training events and long-term camping tripswhen Mondayactivities cannot be avoided. LDS Scouters should participate actively in their district and/or thecouncil and should encourage their district and council not to hold any Scouting meetings onMonday nights.


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GlossaryTis glossary contains words used by Church members that might not be amiliar to Scouters who are not

members o Te Church o Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints. Tere are two official glossaries or Church-related words: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/glossary and http://mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-belies/glossary. Search these i you need additional guidance. For guidance on how to reer tothe Church and its members correctly, see http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/style-guide. Teofficial BSA style guide, which includes a glossary o Scouting terms, is at www.scouting.org/Media/LOS.

Aaronic Priesthood.Te lesser o the two levels or orders o priesthood in Te Church o Jesus Christo Latter-day Saints. Te Aaronic Priesthood is conerred upon aithul male members o the Churchbeginning at age 12 and includes the offices o deacon, teacher, and priest. Aaronic Priesthood holdersprepare and offer the sacrament (communion) to Church members during Sunday worship services,help to visit members in their homes, collect contributions or the poor, and have other service duties.Te name o the Aaronic Priesthood comes rom Aaron, brother o Moses, in the Old estament.

Bishop.Te leader o a local congregation (known as a ward), with duties similar to those o apastor, priest, or rabbi. Te bishop has two counselors, and the three (comprising the bishopric)are unpaid. Te bishop is registered with the BSA as the institution head; one o his counselors isusually registered as the chartered organization representative.

Branch.A local congregation, smaller than a ward, in an area where the Church is in a developingstage. Te leader o a branch is called the branch president; he and his two counselors are knownas the branch presidency. Te branch president is the institution head; one o the counselorsusually serves as the chartered organization representative.

Calling.An invitation to a member to accept an office or responsibility in the Church. Worthyadults (whether members o the Church or not) may be called to serve as Scout leaders.

First Presidency.Te highest ruling body o the Church, composed o the President o the Church

and two counselors. All three are reerred to as President. Te First Presidency is the finalauthority in all matters relating to the Church.

Mormon.A ourth-century prophet in the Americas who abridged the historical and religiousrecords o his people onto metal plates. His record was translated by Joseph Smith and first publishedin the United States in 1830 as the Book o Mormon. Te name Mormon has become an unofficialnickname or members o Te Church o Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints. When reerring to Churchmembers, the term Latter-day Saints is preerred, although Mormons is also acceptable.

Primary.Te Church organization or children ages three through eleven. Te Primary presidencysupervises Scouting or Primary boys ages 8 through 11: Cub Scouts (Wol and Bear), ages 8 and 9;Webelos Scouts, age 10; and boys in the patrol or 11-year-old Scouts.

Quorum.An organized group o brethren who hold the same office in the priesthood. Tey may

be ordained to an office in the Aaronic Priesthood starting at age 12. Young men are registered inage-appropriate Scouting units that consist o members o their priesthood quorums: Boy Scoutsages 1213 are in the deacons quorum, Varsity Scouts ages 1415 are in the teachers quorum, andVenturers ages 1618 are in the priests quorum.

Stake.A geographical subdivision o the Church composed o several wards (similar to a diocese).Te stake presidency consists o the stake president (the leader o the stake) and two counselors.

Ward.Te basic geographical unit o the Church, consisting o several hundred members ina single congregation, presided over by a bishop and two counselors (known collectively as abishopric). In BSA terminology, the ward is the chartered organization.


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AppendixA. Statements by Church Leaders About Scouting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 14

B. Te Church o Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints/Scouting Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 15C. Suggested LDS Scouting Organization at the Stake Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 16

D. Suggested LDS Scouting Organization at the Ward Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 17

E. Church Policies Regarding BSA Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 18

F. Sources o Inormation on Scouting in the Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 20


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Appendix A

Statements by Church Leaders About ScoutingI pondered the thought, How many boys have had their lives blessedeven savedby the Scoutmovement begun by Baden-Powell? Unlike others memorialized within the walls o WestminsterAbbey, Baden-Powell had neither sailed the stormy seas o glory nor ounded empires o worldlywealth. Rather, he was a builder o boysone who taught them well how to run and win the race olie. Every boy blessed by Scouting adopts the motto Be Prepared. He subscribes to the sloganDo a Good Turn Daily. Scouting provides proficiency badges to encourage skills and personalendeavor. Scouting teaches boys how to live, not merely how to make a living.

President omas S. MonsonAaronic PriesthoodScouting Broadcast, May 12, 2007

Scouting takes us back to nature, teaches boys to appreciate, cherish and learn to care or this grandand divine creationin addition to learning the importance o physical fitness and caring or ourphysical bodies. Tat is central in Scouting, as [a boy] not only learns these lessons, but commits tokeep himsel physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Young Men General President Charles W. Dahlquist IIAaronic PriesthoodScouting Broadcast, May 12, 2007

Scouting is un and has an important purpose! Woven through all the un is an inspired programthat really works. Scouting is about learning and living the gospel. Scouting can reinorce positivecharacter values and leadership skills that are taught in the home. Scouting prepares boys to becomerighteous men who hold and honor the priesthood o God. Scout leaders have the responsibility tohelp each boy connect what he is learning in Scouting to his priesthood preparation and his uture as

a covenant-keeping missionary, husband, and ather.Primary General President Cheryl C. Lant

www.lds.org (Primary Activity DaysScouting)

I love the Scouting movement. Te promise o the Scout Oath and the 12 points o the Scout Lawdirect young men along the path o being prepared or the 21st century. Tey provide a solid andpowerul magnetic orce toward development o a well-rounded and noteworthy character thatcounts. I every boy in America knew and observed the Scout Oath, we would do away with most othe jails and prisons in this country. I each o us would live up to those ew words, On my honor, Iwill do my best, whether it be in school, whether it be in our social lie, whether it be in our businessor proessional lie, i I will do my very best, success and happiness will be mine.

President Gordon B. HinckleyBoy Scout Jamborall, Fillmore, Utah, September 27, 1996

Tis is not an optional program Scouting is no longer on trial. It is an economically, socially, andspiritually sound program. It builds men o character and spirituality and trains them or citizen andleadership responsibility. Scouting teaches a boy to take care o himsel and stand on his own two eet.It is an inspired program or a demanding time. Tis is that time! I would to God that every boy oScouting age could have the benefits and blessings o this great program. It is truly a noble program. It isa builder o character not only in the boys but also in the men who provide the leadership.

President Ezra Ta BensonRegional Representatives Seminar, Salt Lake City, Utah, March 31, 1978


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Appendix B

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Scouting Structure

First Presidency

Quorum o thewelve Apostles

Seven Presidentso the Seventy

Stake President

Bishop/Institution Head

PriesthoodExecutive Council

Young Men General Presidency/Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting,

and Venturing

Primary General PresidencCub Scouting and

11-Year-Old Scouting

Primary General BoardYoung Men General Board

Counselor in StakePresidency over Scouting

High Council Adviser toAaronic Priesthood

Stake Young Men Presidencyover Scouting, Varsity Scouting,

and Venturing in Stake

High Council Adviserto Primary

Stake Primary Presidency ovCub Scouting and 11-Year-O

Scouting in Stake

Ward Young Men Presidencyover Scouting, Varsity Scouting,

and Venturing in Ward

Ward Primary Presidency overCub Scouting and 11-Year-Old

Scouting in Ward

Area Seventy

COR Chartered OrganizationRepresentative

Counselor inBishopric/COR Ward Scout Committee(s)


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ADC

VarsityScouts

ADC

Venturing

RCStakePresidencyCounselor

overAaronicPriesthoodCommittee

ADCHighCouncil

Adviser

YoungMen

Other

Stakesand

Tradit

ionalUnits

RC

RelationsCommittee

ADC

AssistantDistrict

Commissioner

UC

UnitCommissioner

YM

YoungMen

COR

CharteredOrgan

ization

Representative

C

ubScoutsand

11-Year-OldScouts

BoyScou

ts

VarsityScouts

Venturing

UC

StakePrimary

Presidency

UCStakeYM

2ndCouns

elor

UCStakeYM

1stCounselor

UCStakeYM

President

Wardx

PackxCubmaster

TroopxScou

tmaster

TeamxCoach

CrewxAdvisor

CORWardx

Repre

sentative

Ward4

Pack4Cubmaster

Troop4Scou

tmaster

Team4Coach

Crew4Advisor

CORWard4

Repre

sentative

Ward3

Pack3Cubmaster

Troop3Scou

tmaster

Team3Coach

Crew3Advisor

CORWard3

Repre

sentative

Ward2

Pack2Cubmaster

Troop2Scou

tmaster

Team2Coach

Crew2Advisor

CORWard2

Repre

sentative

Ward1

Pack1Cubmaster

Troop1Scou

tmaster

Team1Coach

Crew1Advisor

CORWard1

Repre

sentative

A

ppendixC

TypicalLDSScoutin

gOrganizationStakeLevel

BSAPositions(red)are

voluntary;ChurchPosition

s(black)

ADC

Cu

bScouts

ADC

BoyScouts

ADCHighCouncil

AdviserPrimary

District

Commissioner

OtherStakesand

TraditionalUnits


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17

AppendixD

T

ypicalLDSScoutingOrganizationWardLevel

Cubmaster

Leaderof

11-Year-O

ld

Scouts

QuorumPresident

SeniorPatrolLeader

QuorumPreside

nt

VarsityTeam

Cap

tain

Asst.totheBishop

VenturingCrewPresident

Patrol

Leaderfor

11-Year-O

ld

S c o u t s

Den

Leaders

WardPrimary

Presidency

DeaconsQuoru

m

Asst.Adviser

Asst.Scoutmas

ter

TeachersQuoru

m

Asst.Adviser

Asst.VarsityCoa

ch

PriestsQuorum

Asst.Adviser

Asst.VenturingAd

visor

2ndCounselorin

YoungMenPresid

ency

Deacons

QuorumAdvise

r

Scoutmaster

1stCounselor

in

YoungMenPresid

ency

Teachers

QuorumAdvise

r

VarsityScoutCo

ach

WardYoungM

en

President

Priests

QuorumAdvise

r

VenturingAdvisor

WardBishop

CharteredOrga

nizationInstitutionHead

PresidentoftheAaronicPriesthood

Sco

ut

Committee(s)

CORBishop

ric

MemberOver

Scouting

YouthLeaders

CORCharteredOrganization

Representative


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18

Appendix E

Church Policies Regarding BSA Registration

Upon being called to a ward Scouting leadership position, the person accepting the call shouldcomplete the most current version o the BSA Adult Application (available at your BSA localcouncil office and online at www.scouting.org/Media/orms), making sure all questions havebeen answered and signatures are secured. Te membership application should be submittedwith appropriate ees to the BSA local council office immediately. Te name o each applicant ischecked against the BSA files and a criminal background check is done. I there are any problems,a BSA official will contact the ward bishop; otherwise, the bishop may assume the application hasbeen accepted. I an adult being considered or a ward Scout leadership calling is new to the ward,

the bishop should check with the prior bishop to make certain all is in order.LDS-BSA Relationships Oce, April 1998 / Revised May 2008

Never allow a Scout leader to unction in any position in a [Scout] unit sponsored by the Churchin the United States until he has been registered with the Boy Scouts o America.

President Boyd K. Packer, from a letter to stake presidents, January 2, 1997

No man is called to work with youth until his membership certificate is in the hands o the bishop.

In addition, no man is called to work in Scouting until he is ully registered with the governing board[local council] o Scouting and his record merits consideration or a call. Tis procedure has beenexpounded many times, yet wolves continue to enter with the intent to destroy the flock. PresidentHinckley asked that I stress tonight this instruction.

President omas S. Monson, from an April 4, 1998,priesthood session address titled In Harms Way

Relationships with the Boy Scouts o AmericaTe bishop assigns one o his counselors or anotherworthy adult to serve as the wards representative to the Scout district or council. Tis leader workswith the district commissioners to register participants and ensure that all Scouts and leaders are

registered.LDS Scouting Handbook, p. 2


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All boys, young men, and their adult leaders participating in approved Scouting in the Church are tobe duly registered with the Boy Scouts o America through local councils.

LDS Scouting Handbook, p. 5

Where Scouting is authorized, the Church pays all or part o the ollowing registration ees: (1)or boys and young men ages 8 through 17, (2) or Scout leaders, and (3) or unit chartering.Registration and chartering expenses are paid rom the stake general checking account. Te Churchprovides these unds in addition to the budget allowance.

2006 Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 1, p. 160

A Scout troop should be chartered or 12- and 13-year-old young men. A Varsity Scout team

should be chartered or 14- and 15-year-olds. Where priesthood leaders have determined touse the [Venturing] program or 16- and 17-year-old young men, [a Venturing crew] should bechartered or that age group. Such divisions are recommended to help maintain quorum identity.


Stakes do not register Scout units. Such units take young men away rom their wards and causethem to lose identity with their quorums.


Scouting under Church sponsorship must not operate independently o the priesthood and theamily. Te Scout unit should become an extension o the home; the deacons, teachers, or priestsquorum; or the Primary classes; and should unction as part o the Churchs activity program orboys and young men.



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Appendix F

Sources of Information on Scouting in the ChurchHarris, Bradley D. Trails to Testimony: Bringing Young Men to Christ rough Scouting. Bradley D.Harris, associate proessor o recreational management and youth leadership at Brigham YoungUniversity, challenges parents and youth leaders alike to rediscover the spiritual dimensions oScoutingto ocus on the close relationship that should exist between Scouting and the AaronicPriesthood. Available through LDS-BSA Relationships office in Salt Lake City or on its Web site,www.ldsbsa.org, under LDS Scout Items.

Packer, Tayne J. On My Honor: A Guide to Scouting in the Church.Salt Lake City: Bookcraf, Inc., 1998.Tis book provides a thorough and clear presentation o the Scouting program that will help leadersand parents better instill the ideals o Scouting into their young men. Te purposes o Scouting are

intertwined with the undamentals o the Church. Available through the LDS-BSA Relationshipsoffice in Salt Lake City or on its Web site, www.ldsbsa.org, under LDS Scout Items.

LDS-BSA Relationships office (Salt Lake City) Web site: www.ldsbsa.org. An excellent resource orinormation regarding the interaction between the Church and the BSA.

Aaronic Priesthood/Young Men Scouting page o the official Church Web site:www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,5166-1,00

Scouting in the Primary Web page o the official Church Web site:www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4828-1,00

Handbooks published by Te Church o Jesus Christ o Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah areavailable or Church members through the online Distribution Center. Non-LDS Scouters may orderthese handbooks by contacting the LDS-BSA Relationships office (contact inormation is on the lastpage o this pamphlet).

Scouting Handbook(also reerred to in this document as the LDSScouting Handbook),1997. (#35814)

Aaronic Priesthood, section 2 o the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthoodand Auxiliary Leaders,1998. (#35702)

Primary, section 5 o the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood andAuxiliary Leaders,1998. (#35705)


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If you have questions concerning this publication, please contact:

Director, LDS-BSA Relationships15 West South Temple, Suite 1070

Salt Lake City, UT 84101-1579

Business: 801-530-0004Fax: 801-530-0029

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