Is There an LDS Version of Boy Scouts?

For many years, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) used Boy Scouts to prepare its young men for overseas missionary work. This article explores the history of this relationship and the changes that are currently underway.

The Historical Connection

Previous Involvement: Until December 31, 2019, the LDS Church chartered Scouting units through the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), just as it had since 1913. This partnership was particularly significant because it prepared LDS young men for their missions after high school graduation. However, on January 1, 2020, the LDS Church announced that its association with Scouting would come to an end.

The End of the Partnership

Official Announcement: On January 1, 2020, the LDS Church officially ended its association with the Boy Scouts of America, marking a significant shift in its young men's programs. The Church made it clear that there would be no further involvement with Scouting, including chartering troops or using Church buildings for Scouting purposes.

Reasons for the Change: The decision to end the partnership was due to the fact that the BSA program, which is US-centric, no longer fit the global needs of the LDS Church. The Church had been developing its own "young mens program" specifically aimed at preparing its young men for overseas missionary work.

The Future of LDS Scouting

New Program: The new LDS program, which is expected to be ready for this year, is likely to be simpler to implement and will not need to parallel previous Church Scouting programs. It is unclear how closely the new program will resemble the Boy Scouts, but the focus will be on preparing young men for their missions instead of aligning with a national Scouting program.

Impact and Transition

LDS Youth: LDS youth can still continue to be Boy Scouts if they wish. However, the Church will no longer provide support such as chartering troops, providing volunteers to local councils, or any other traditional forms of support.

Adults: Adults are free to continue participating in Scouting if they wish, but it is unlikely to be on a large scale since the Church will not provide the explicit encouragement that it has in the past.

Conclusion

The transition from Boy Scouts to the new LDS program is a significant shift in the preparation and spiritual development of young members of the Church. While the exact nature of the new program is not yet clear, it is expected to focus on preparing young men for overseas missionary work. This change marks a new chapter in LDS Scouting history and highlights the Church's commitment to preparing its youth for global service.