Although I wasn’t dedicated enough to earn the rankings I should have, I have fond memories of being involved in the Boy Scouts program while I was a kid. Boy Scouts of America has long been integrated with the LDS Church‘s curriculum for youth.
Tonight I had the opportunity to attend an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for one of the boys in my ward. It’s only the second Eagle court that I recall ever having attended. I was impressed during the presentation at a lot of things, and I’m glad that the Church encourages boys to participate in the scout program. In a letter from the First Presidency in 2001, the Church’s endorsement can be found in the statement “We desire all young men to strive to earn the Eagle Scout and Duty to God Awards.” Many other statements and the
A few parallels between scouting and the principles of the gospel stick out in my mind. The scouting program teaches boys to learn, to develop an appetite for improvement and progression. The gospel of Jesus Christ is founded upon the concept of eternal progression, that station of intelligence a person achieves in this life will be to his benefit in the hereafter, not only that he will be closer to his goal of perfection, but his very nature is attuned towards learning and development.
Scouts, Morality, and the Priesthood
The scout oath includes the promise that a scout will keep himself “physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” During my time in scouting serving as a merit badge counselor, an 11-years-old scout leader, assistant scoutmaster, and scout committee member, I have listened to many a scout recite that oath. I’ve asked the boys from time to time to explain what those three things mean. I’ve gotten varied answers from them. Some have understood better than others the implications of the aspirations contained in those words. The Eagle recipient whose court of honor I attended tonight seems to be extremely sober, having his priorities well defined and his course set. The things he’s learned in scouting reinforce his calling as an Aaronic Priesthood holder. Although I could do without some of the silliness involved in scout songs and traditions, I’m willing to be patient with those imperfections as I intend on raising my boys to be worthy priesthood holders and Eagle Scouts.