The Scout Oath opens with “duty to God,” and the Scout Law finishes with reverence. Duty to God has been a major tenet of Scouting’s philosophy from the founding days
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As Scout leaders in the Utah National Parks Council, we wholeheartedly support the Church’s forthcoming initiative for children and youth, which will provide opportunities for “large gatherings and personal development through goals and achievement of goals.” Currently, we are planning how Scouting can complement this inspired initiative. As you—parents and leaders—identify the wide range of […]
As a Scouter, you are well-aware of the Scouting principle of Duty to God and the important role it has played in your adventures. However, as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ends its partnership with the BSA after 2019, will Duty to God in Scouting also meet its end? This is an […]
On Sunday, Christian Scouts and families all over the world will celebrate Jesus Christ’s triumph over death. For these families, Easter is a day of hope and joy. It can also be a day of love and service in honor of Christ, who lived His life always in the service of others. Nothing is more […]
In Rome, this Monday the 15 apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met to dedicate the Rome Italy Temple. The apostles rarely meet outside of Utah because the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints typically only has one apostle accompany him in a temple dedication. This is a […]
This Christmas, we are following along with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ “Light the World” campaign. Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, spent much of His ministry caring for individuals, one by one. This movement encourages everyone to follow His example this Christmas and find ways to share our time, love, and […]
“The Scout in his promise undertakes to do his duty to his king and country only in the second place. His first duty is to God. There is a higher mission before us, namely the promotion of the kingdom of God. That is the rule of peace and goodwill on earth.” – Lord Baden-Powell A […]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced this past week that, starting on Jan. 1, 2020, it will shift the focus of its youth programs toward serving an increasingly global membership. There was a mixed response as many Scouters began wondering what this news means for the BSA and reflected on their time in the […]
Pathway to Priesthood: Scouting Promotes Leadership, Citizenship, and Priesthood Preparation As the longest formal chartered partner of the Boy Scouts of America, Scouting has been a staple in the LDS Church for a long time. The reason the Church has stuck with Scouting is that the program truly promotes the important goals the Church seeks to […]
In this article we are featuring the program module for Duty to God from the Program Features for Troops, Teams and Crews Volume 3. (You can also read this article for more information on how to plan using the program resources.) Exploring a Key Scout Duty “The Scout Oath begins with duty to God and country, and the Scout […]
“YE SHALL MEET OFT.” How lucky we are to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Doesn’t your life seem to evolve around Church and Church activities? You’re going to Scouts, Priesthood meetings, and numerous other activities. These activities are both spiritual and athletic. Many times entire families participate. These […]
This article is adapted from a story written by Michael Brucia Going into his sophomore year of high school, Michael Brucia held himself to the highest standard in his academic goals. Selecting three AP and two Honors classes, Michael didn’t realize he may have bitten off more than he could chew. Never having taken a […]
What interest would I, a 37 year-old female with no children, have in learning about the best practices regarding our 14-18 year-old young men? As a female I have concern for the building of young men because one day a young man will be the spouse of my daughter, or the father of my grandchildren. […]
Have you ever prayed and expected Heavenly Father to answer your prayer right then and there in the way you were anticipating? Did you get off your knees and find yourself disappointed? You aren’t alone. Every day we pray for all kinds of things, but not all of our prayers are answered during our timetable or […]
Mac McIntire is a dedicated Scouter who has posted more than 80 blogs at the LDS-BSA Relationship Blog. Each week I read his thought provoking articles with interest and I often repost part of something he writes. But this week you need to read his whole post, especially if you are still uptight about the future […]
In my article for Mother’s Day, I was fortunate to pay tribute to my Scouting Mom. Reflecting over the impact she had in my life was such a beautiful experience. This month, I have the opportunity to pay homage to my father, a man who has helped shape my life. Some of the most valuable […]
The breakfast began with showing the Duty to God video produced by the Church. I was struck once again by the quotes from Baden-Powell: King and Country, only in the second place. His first duty is to God and his statement, “There is no religious side to the movement. The whole of it is based […]
The Utah National Parks Council has recently published a pledge outlining the things Scouting programs in the area will do for youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This pledge includes promises to teach boys to recognize the hand of God in their lives, to create ‘mountaintop’ spiritual experiences, to prepare them […]
The Scout motto is “Be Prepared.” Our Scouts will hear this command hundreds, perhaps thousands of times during troop meetings, pow-wows, and camps. Yet the phrase has no meaning until we answer the question, “What must they be prepared for?” Otherwise, the motto becomes a trite, boring tidbit that our young men must recite before […]
Last Saturday morning, during the first weekend of our Woodbadge course, I had a singular spiritual experience at Tifie Scout Camp’s outdoor chapel. There among the reddening maples and in the crisp morning air, our Wood Badge staff presented these words from our founder, Baden Powell, in a Scout’s Own Worship Service: FOR an open Troop, or for Troops […]