Cub Scouting sets priesthood foundation

CIMARRON, N.M. — Bishops and branch presidents — want a deacons quorum filled with young men well prepared to perform their Aaronic Priesthood duties? Start first by building successful Cub Scout dens.

That was the message shared here by Sister Cheryl C. Lant, Primary general president, during the recent Priesthood Leadership Conference at the Philmont Scout Ranch.

\"Cub Scouts are part of the whole (priesthood) picture — it's where we lay the foundation,\" she said.

Lant may have appeared to be preaching to the proverbial choir. The dozens of men in her audience were all priesthood leaders in Scout uniforms who had come to Philmont in hopes of strengthening their respective quorums, troops and, yes, Cub Scout dens. Still, Lant reminded the leaders about the essential role the ward and stake priesthood leadership should play in Cub Scouting. The young boys in the blue and gold uniforms are not merely the charges of the Primary.

The purpose of Scouting and Cub Scouting is the same: to provide activities and leadership opportunities to young men in the church preparing for future duties as missionaries, fathers, husbands and temple-going Melchizedek Priesthood holders.

Lant taught that the Primary's Faith in God Award need not operate independently of Cub Scouting. Instead, Cub Scouting helps boys get the most out of their Faith in God experience.

\"Faith in God helps us to focus on what it is we want to teach these boys,\" she said.

Several Faith in God Award requirements — such as serving others and developing talents — fit nicely with tasks Cub Scouts perform to earn their various badges. Cub Scouts are also encouraged to earn the Scouting Religious Square Knot.

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This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is produced weekly by the Deseret News.