kathysmike Posted May 23, 2008 Report Posted May 23, 2008 I recieved an e-mail from my ex-wife about the Priesthood Commeneration Campout, in my sons stake, asking if I could take him, this was fine. What I found disturbing was the fact she included this statement: "This is Cole's first Scouting Campout and he is really looking forward to it." As a young man I attended many of these campouts with my own Father, never once did they term it a "scouting event". To me this lessens the whole concept of celebrating the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood. Do not get me wrong I think the Scouting program does alot of good, but the the name of the organization is the Boy Scouts of America, not the Boy Scouts of the LDS Church. The scouts is a very effictive tool in furthering the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood, it should be utilized when it can, but they are two seperate organizations. In the ward I was in there was no Scout Troop, I am a returned missionary, active in the church, the princepals of the priesthood can by taught without the scouting program. I do support my son in his scouting I just belive that the Priesthood should not be overly intertwined with the BSA. Any thoughts ?
utcowboy Posted May 23, 2008 Report Posted May 23, 2008 I agree with you and my son agrees with you as he enjoys scouting but does not like church at this time in his life. They should be kept separate. I know my stake also entertwined the Aaronic Priesthood celebration and a scouting weekend last week.
MarginOfError Posted June 15, 2008 Report Posted June 15, 2008 The Scouting program is the activity arm of the Aaronic Priesthood program. They are so intertwined that it is difficult to determine where one stops and one starts. When opportunity allows for these programs to be run as the Church intends, they mesh together very well. There are many advantages to this combination, such as the infrastructure of the BSA providing camps, reservations, and multitudes of other organized activities to ease the burden on the Young Men's leaders. I wouldn't get too caught up in the differences...however, if your son doesn't like Church, but does like scouts, I would take advantage of the different names so that he doesn't apply the negativity to scouts as well.
KosherXMorg Posted June 19, 2008 Report Posted June 19, 2008 It sounds like you are straining at a gnat, perhaps because it is your ex-wife who used the phrase.
kathysmike Posted June 19, 2008 Author Report Posted June 19, 2008 Definetly not strainig at gnats !!!! I have always felt the BSA is a Great program... However commeration of the restoration of the priesthood should have been the focus of this campout, mixing the 2 programs for this event, takes away from the stated purpose of the camp out.
MarginOfError Posted June 20, 2008 Report Posted June 20, 2008 I'm afraid I still have to disagree with you. In an ideally functioning unit, Scouting and the Aaronic Priesthood are supposed to be inseparable. There is no more loss of focus in the Boy Scouts having a campout to celebrate the restoration of the Priesthood than there is in the Priests' Quorum having a cookout to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Islander Posted June 27, 2008 Report Posted June 27, 2008 Definetly not strainig at gnats !!!! I have always felt the BSA is a Great program... However commeration of the restoration of the priesthood should have been the focus of this campout, mixing the 2 programs for this event, takes away from the stated purpose of the camp out.It is interesting. In our Stake we call it "Fathers and Sons Priesthood Commemoration Campout" and that is how the announcement goes out every year. In my previous Stake we have a night walk along the Mormon Battalion Trail in the Southern California desert. I can't recall the specific name of the event (it's been about 7 years) but there was no reference to scouts, that I do remember.
Flyonthewall Posted June 27, 2008 Report Posted June 27, 2008 My stake also called it a Father's and Son's campout. We had one of the General YM presidency come out and speak to us.
kathysmike Posted June 28, 2008 Author Report Posted June 28, 2008 That has been my point all along it should be a father son campout. There are plenty of other oppurtunities for scout activities and campouts. KATHYSMIKE
siouxz72 Posted June 28, 2008 Report Posted June 28, 2008 I agree... it should have been separate especially with it being titled Priesthood Commemoration. That should have been the focus...not muckying it up with scouting.
Aphrodite Posted June 29, 2008 Report Posted June 29, 2008 I agree too. Scouting is an American thing anyway, its not a worldwide church programme, as far as I know its only the US that have it. The church is slightly different in America to the rest of the world. We have no scouting whatsoever connected to the church here in the UK. We do have camps tho.
susieSA Posted June 30, 2008 Report Posted June 30, 2008 I agree too. Scouting is an American thing anyway, its not a worldwide church programme, as far as I know its only the US that have it. The church is slightly different in America to the rest of the world. We have no scouting whatsoever connected to the church here in the UK. We do have camps tho.Scouting is connected to the church here in South Africa... But that depends on where you are...
VisionOfLehi Posted July 9, 2008 Report Posted July 9, 2008 From my point of view: You're all lucky to have ever had the chance! *jealous* :)
MarginOfError Posted July 10, 2008 Report Posted July 10, 2008 Don't be jealous, Lehi. Scouting is always looking for volunteers. Sign up to be an adult leader, or serve on the Scout Committee, and then you too can have all of the great opportunities (minus all the recognition).
Guest TheLutheran Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 We have all daughters so please forgive my ignorance regarding the Boy Scouts of American program. If BSA is the activity arm of the Aaronic Priesthood program what about non-LDS boys?
MarginOfError Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 I'm afraid I'm not sure what you mean. If you're asking if non-LDS boys may participate in a troop that is sponsored by the Church, the answer is yes. However, they will likely have to endure some firesides and devotionals that are commonly done while out camping, as well as all the religious undertones that the LDS majority in the troop will likely bring. At the same time, non-LDS boys should be encouraged to develop their own faith through the BSA's religious awards programs.
Guest TheLutheran Posted July 24, 2008 Report Posted July 24, 2008 Thank you so much. I didn't realize that troops were sponsored by various churches or organizations with plenty of latitude to influence the program. I just thought the little guys got together to make soap box cars and earn those badges! :)
LDSMike45 Posted March 24, 2013 Report Posted March 24, 2013 The only information you have is your ex-wife used the word "Scouting". Get a grip and get the facts.
skippy740 Posted March 24, 2013 Report Posted March 24, 2013 Thread is over 4 years old and the OP is long gone. Thread closed.
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