Boy Scouts of America
Church Issues Statement on Boy Scouts of America, 25 April 2013; “For 100 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has enjoyed a strong, rewarding relationship with Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
Recently, BSA has been reviewing a possible policy change in its standards for membership and leadership. Now that BSA has finished its review process and has proposed a resolution for consideration, the Church has issued the following statement:
“Over the past several weeks BSA has undertaken the difficult task of reviewing its membership standards policy. In their own words, this undertaking has been ‘the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history.’
“While the Church has not launched any campaign either to effect or prevent a policy change, we have followed the discussion and are satisfied that BSA has made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues that, as they have said, remain ‘among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.’
“The current BSA proposal constructively addresses a number of important issues that have been part of the ongoing dialogue, including consistent standards for all BSA partners, recognition that Scouting exists to serve and benefit youth rather than Scout leaders, a single standard of moral purity for youth in the program, and a renewed emphasis for Scouts to honor their duty to God.
“We are grateful to BSA for their careful consideration of these issues. We appreciate the positive things contained in this current proposal that will help build and strengthen the moral character and leadership skills of youth as we work together in the future.””
BSA; “The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.”
The subject of scouting is becoming more and more volatile in recent months amongst various people groups who believe the BSA is discriminating against them because of their lifestyles. While I don’t want to get into the disparities they’re going through, I do have a keen interest in what the Mormon Church is doing.
For decades now the Church has been quietly infiltrating this organization – decades. Their overwhelming presence didn’t happen in a vacuum and now that it’s past the point of being ignored, things need to be looked at with an objective eye. Nowadays that’s a long shot.
I visited the homepage of BSA to gain some insight as to what their goals and overall objectives are. Their official statement is noted above.
Then I noticed on the front page of the LDS website the announcement made by the Church regarding BSA. Their statement is posted above as well.
After I read their official statement I moseyed on over to the Primary page looking for teachings about the apostasy for LDS kids. At the bottom of said page I noticed they too had an official statement about scouting. Here’s what it said;
Scouting in Primary; ““Scouting contributes to a boy’s preparation to hold the priesthood of God. Scout leaders have a sacred responsibility. They help boys learn Scouting principles that also help them live the gospel. We thank each leader as they foster faith in Christ and prepare boys to make temple covenants and become a missionary, husband, and father.”” —Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary general president
So my question is this – if you’re the den leader and you have a mixed group of kids from varying faiths what are you preparing the Protestant kid for?
This is a scary situation. The den leader holds a lot, and I do mean a lot of power in the life of each boy. What would prevent a den leader from infiltrating LDS teachings into their lesson plan for the week? I know they have course books – my mom was a den leader for my brothers. I get it.
I’m not saying this can’t happen with the Christians – but I do have to say that it’s much less likely. The past twenty years in Christianity has afforded me the opportunity to see them in action. I’ve yet to witness a Christian Boy Scout leader pushing Jesus in any of their meetings. While they do answer questions, etc, they’re not there to proselytize whereas this is the life of every single Mormon. I know this from being a Mormon and from studying their teachings for the past 49+ yrs.
More than fifteen years ago a situation arose in a church Kirk and I used to belong to that involved a local group of Weblos. The group needed a place to meet and this church was generous in offering space for their meeting. The problem Kirk and I had with this is how this particular group was run. The leader was LDS – all the kids were LDS and they weren’t in the mood to invite others to participate which meant they would be in our church praying to their god under the auspices of it being a public institution. Things just didn’t make sense…
The sad part about this whole thing is the kids. They’re being told one thing by their leader and the Church while no other objective reasons why is imparted to their young influential minds.
The other sad thing about this is what’s happened to the Boy Scouts. Why does it have to be subjected to one religious group that is decidedly non-Christian? While they say one thing in public (LDS Church), they’re saying another in the private rooms of their meeting houses. The body of Christ has always been the whore of Babylon.
Suggestion: The BSA should require the LDS Church to publicly list their teachings about this in every single pamphlet they produce to let others know just what the Church thinks of outsiders. The organization is built upon the premise they are preparing young men to to viable citizens for society. Honesty has to rank up there in the importance factor.
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