Vol 1. No. 1 – May 2006

Each year the Young Men General Presidency will train thousands of Aaronic Priesthood and Scouting, Varsity and Venturing leaders in how to effectively use scouting to support the Aaronic Priesthood quorums. These training sessions take place during LDS Priesthood leaders’ week at Philmont, LDS Relationship conferences, Little Philmonts, and General Conference workshop sessions. The following is an excerpt taken from a talk given by Young Men General President Charles W. Dahlquist II at the April 2006 General Conference workshop.  The complete talk is posted on the Church website at www.lds.org under Aaronic Priesthood/ Young Men.

 “Scouting:  The Application and Activity Arm of the Aaronic Priesthood”

“The Aaronic Priesthood is given to our young men not only to allow them to act in the name of God, but to provide opportunities for them to learn the doctrines and then learn how to apply them in their lives in a way that will bless the lives of those around them.

It is in the priesthood quorum that the doctrines of the kingdom are learned. And it is in the activity program of the Aaronic Priesthood quorum that they are applied in a way that prepares a young man to fulfill a full-time mission, receive the ordinances of the temple, and live a life of service to his family, the kingdom, and his community.

In the United States and Canada, Scouting is the primary activity and application arm of the Aaronic Priesthood. In 1913 the Church became the first charter partner of the Boy Scouts of America. In those nearly one hundred years, hundreds of thousands of young men have been helped to learn their duty in the Aaronic Priesthood through their Scouting experiences. I like to think of Scouting as providing two major supports to help young men fulfill the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood in their lives. First, it helps them build strength of character. I can think of no stronger statement of moral principle than the Boy Scout Oath.

Secondly, Scouting helps young men develop skills that are vital to their survival — to getting along in the world, to providing for their families, for making a contribution to their chosen vocations, for developing their talents to help make the world a better place.”

Elder Brett Tano, a recently returned missionary from the Japan Hiroshima Mission, said: “I am glad I was a Scout. It helped me prepare for my mission. Many listened because of the skills I learned in Scouting.”
In reference to knowing the resources available to Aaronic Priesthood Scouting leaders, President Dahlquist said:  “It means also getting appropriate Scouting training, including Basic Training, Leader Specific Training and Wood Badge and attending monthly roundtables — so that we will understand and be able to apply the timeless values of Scouting to reinforce and strengthen the quorums of the priesthood.

Brethren, seek the guidance of the spirit in your selection of leaders for our young men of the Aaronic Priesthood. And then, once they are called, give them time to serve, to be trained, to gain the love and trust of their boys — which generally takes years, not months.

God bless each priest quorum adviser, Varsity Coach, Scoutmaster, merit badge counselor, and all within the sound of my voice and beyond who realize the majesty that can be part of the activity program of the Aaronic Priesthood, if we apply the principles that caused the Brethren, in 1913, to enter into a partnership with the Boy Scouts of America for the strengthening of the Aaronic Priesthood. There was inspiration in that decision, as there is inspiration in the decision to continue that decision today. And there must be inspiration in applying the principles of Scouting to strengthen and vitalize the quorums of the Aaronic Priesthood and each young priesthood bearer today.”