L.d.s. Church To Stay With Scouting

[smac97]

I just received a KSL alert that the Church will stay with the Scouting program. More news to follow.

EDIT TO ADD:

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-to-go-forward-with-scouting-program

SALT LAKE CITY —

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Wednesday from the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles regarding the Church’s relationship with the Boy Scouts of America:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appreciates the positive contributions Scouting has made over the years to thousands of its young men and boys and to thousands of other youth. As leaders of the Church, we want the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to succeed in its historic mission to instill leadership skills and high moral standards in youth of all faiths and circumstances, thereby equipping them for greater success in life and valuable service to their country.

In the resolution adopted on July 27, 2015, and in subsequent verbal assurances to us, BSA has reiterated that it expects those who sponsor Scouting units (such as the Church) to appoint Scout leaders according to their religious and moral values “in word and deed and who will best inculcate the organization’s values through the Scouting program.” At this time, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will go forward as a chartering organization of BSA, and as in the past, will appoint Scout leaders and volunteers who uphold and exemplify Church doctrine, values, and standards.

With equal concern for the substantial number of youth who live outside the United States and Canada, the Church will continue to evaluate and refine program options that better meet its global needs.

I wonder what will happen with the threats of "lawfare." We'll see, I suppose.

Thanks,

-Smac

Edited August 26, 2015 by smac97

[HappyJackWagon]

It shocks me to admit that I'm happy the church isn't dropping scouting...at least for now...for this reason. Perhaps the church's past press release was the trial balloon to get members very comfortable with the eventual drop, which is deserved for many reasons. In any case, I'm glad the church isn't taking an anti-gay stand with their BSA decision. Well done, church.

 

Get prepared and drop the BSA next year because we can do better

[KevinG]

I just received a KSL alert that the Church will stay with the Scouting program. More news to follow.

EDIT TO ADD:

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-to-go-forward-with-scouting-program

I wonder what will happen with the threats of "lawfare." We'll see, I suppose.

Thanks,

-Smac

 

The LDS Church has deep pockets compared to other chartering organizations.  So I expect if there is to be a suit it will target us early.

 

Then again we select leaders based on a lot of criteria and sexual orientation is not one of them, so I don't expect any suit to get far.  Just be harassing and expensive.

 

I am pleased with the decision for reasons I've stated before.  The experiences the Scouting program provides are unique, and there is value in the partnership, including exposure to good men of other beliefs - which in the end can help us build testimonies of the restored Gospel.

[Gray]

Not that I'm a huge fan of Scouting, but I think it's a good decision. Not reactionary, but measured and reasonable. 

[KevinG]

FYI for those youth in the USA who do not enjoy Scouting there is the Duty to God program available for growth and recognition from the Church.

 

For those who do like Scouting there is less danger of Wednesday nights turning into the Aaronic Priesthood Basketball League.

[rockpond]

This is the direction I had predicted it would go.

 

I, too, have mixed feelings.  I didn't want my boys to lose the opportunity to be involved in an LDS scout troop but I also really liked the idea of us moving to our own internal program.

[Senator]

Dang it!

[rockpond]

This decision also aligns with what the Church News reported regarding the Church's position two weeks prior to the vote.

[stemelbow]

That's interesting. The initial reactions was, "holy Schmolies, this is a huge problem. Them jerks slighted us".

now the reaction is, "nothing to worry about. everything's cool."

Interesting.

[HappyJackWagon]

This decision also aligns with what the Church News reported regarding the Church's position two weeks prior to the vote.

Yeah. The press release after the vote seemed a bit impetuous. This is a much more reasoned and responsible approach. The church can always choose to opt out later for a multitude of reasons, but at least they won't appear to be reactionary and petty when they didn't get their way with a vote. This church did well with this decision though I don't expect it to be permanent.

[stemelbow]

FYI for those youth in the USA who do not enjoy Scouting there is the Duty to God program available for growth and recognition from the Church.

 

For those who do like Scouting there is less danger of Wednesday nights turning into the Aaronic Priesthood Basketball League.

Shame all around. Playing sports is better for kids then sitting around learning names of knots. kids need more activity, overall, it seems to me, not less.

[KevinG]

That's interesting. The initial reactions was, "holy Schmolies, this is a huge problem. Them jerks slighted us".

now the reaction is, "nothing to worry about. everything's cool."

Interesting.

 

I suspect the initial reaction was not correlated with the First Presidency and Apostles like this announcement.  It does seem like a knee jerk response to the slight the National Committee gave the LDS committee members when they voted without them.  

[HappyJackWagon]

Shame all around. Playing sports is better for kids then sitting around learning names of knots. kids need more activity, overall, it seems to me, not less.

Basketball was the best part of my youth experience as a kid. We had multiple non-members attend every week and 2 were even baptized and served missions. I'm all for a church sports program for those who like sports, scouting for kids who like scouting, and vo-tech kind of classes for those who prefer it. 1 program done well can integrate all of these things but not if we deride one element as being unworthy of our time.

 

Fit the program to the boys, not the boys to the program.

[HappyJackWagon]

I suspect the initial reaction was not correlated with the First Presidency and Apostles like this announcement.  It does seem like a knee jerk response to the slight the National Committee gave the LDS committee members when they voted without them.  

The church voted. They were given proper notice and they participated in the vote which is why their tantrum came off so badly.

[KevinG]

Shame all around. Playing sports is better for kids then sitting around learning names of knots. kids need more activity, overall, it seems to me, not less.

 

Learning the names of knots?  Wow.  You really aren't familiar with what is taught in Scouts or that was just sarcasm.

 

I would not have time to list the life skills, spiritual lessons, priesthood service opportunities, missionary opportunities, etc. that Scouting can bring a boy in a few short years.  If you think it is expensive now, just try recreating it all in your Ward with no outside support.

[KevinG]

The church voted. They were given proper notice and they participated in the vote which is why their tantrum came off so badly.

 

I heard the vote was a surprise.  Perhaps my rumor mill needs tuning?  

[KevinG]

Basketball was the best part of my youth experience as a kid. We had multiple non-members attend every week and 2 were even baptized and served missions. I'm all for a church sports program for those who like sports, scouting for kids who like scouting, and vo-tech kind of classes for those who prefer it. 1 program done well can integrate all of these things but not if we deride one element as being unworthy of our time.

 

Fit the program to the boys, not the boys to the program.

 

I'm cool with Basketball.  It just shouldn't be the end all be all of YM, and I've seen that happen to the exclusion of boys who were interested in other things.

 

It's a false dilemma anyway.  There is time for both Scouting and Basketball in our Wards. 

[stemelbow]

Learning the names of knots?  Wow.  You really aren't familiar with what is taught in Scouts or that was just sarcasm.

It was sarcasm.

 

I would not have time to list the life skills, spiritual lessons, priesthood service opportunities, missionary opportunities, etc. that Scouting can bring a boy in a few short years.  If you think it is expensive now, just try recreating it all in your Ward with no outside support.

I think much more could be learned from a better developed program, without as much expense, to be honest.

[MorningStar]

I think this is good since so many boys are close to getting their Eagle.  I think if the church pulls out someday, there should be a set date.

[stemelbow]

Basketball was the best part of my youth experience as a kid. We had multiple non-members attend every week and 2 were even baptized and served missions. I'm all for a church sports program for those who like sports, scouting for kids who like scouting, and vo-tech kind of classes for those who prefer it. 1 program done well can integrate all of these things but not if we deride one element as being unworthy of our time.

 

Fit the program to the boys, not the boys to the program.

I agree. I don't like people denigrating sport activities.

[HappyJackWagon]

I heard the vote was a surprise.  Perhaps my rumor mill needs tuning?  

They announced the vote weeks in advance. The church responded by saying they were on vacation during July and asked for it to be postponed. That request was denied and the vote was held as scheduled.

[stemelbow]

I think this is good since so many boys are close to getting their Eagle.  I think if the church pulls out someday, there should be a set date.

If I were a boy who was close to my eagle and the church said, no more scouts, I'd say, Wahoo! I didn't need to get that meaningless award anywho. NO offense to scouts, I'm just saying, I don't know that that many boys would care.

[Analytics]

I wonder what will happen with the threats of "lawfare." We'll see, I suppose.

 

 

I have a really, really, hard time imagining very many people suing the Church because a bishop didn't call them to be the scout master.  If it were to happen, I have a really, really, hard time imagining such a case getting any traction in the legal system.

[MorningStar]

If I were a boy who was close to my eagle and the church said, no more scouts, I'd say, Wahoo! I didn't need to get that meaningless award anywho. NO offense to scouts, I'm just saying, I don't know that that many boys would care.

 

I think the boys who are really working on it do care.  My oldest son doesn't seem to care and doesn't work that hard at scouting.  I've decided not to make an issue out of it.  Our other two boys really want to get their Eagle. 

[stemelbow]

I wish the PA crew didn't go rogue in their public statements(-;