Comments about ‘Utah: Scout central’

Eagle Scouts and the BSA in general is highly overrated. The Church needs its own separate organization, removed from the Texas fat cats.

Does the state of Utah still have those billboards that read "Join a Mormon Boy Scout Troop"? That pushed the buttons of the national org.

What do the billboards read today?

Re: eagle scout count:

"We did not make it less difficult," Mazzuca said. "Something is working out here."

Yeah, pushy moms riding their teenage behinds.

lol

Sounds like a great event. There was an event at Minute Maid Park in Houston last week that had several times as many scouts, though. We were also told it was the largest centennial gathering in the country. Having recently moved to Houston from Utah, I have been pleasantly surprised to see how strong the scouting movement is here.

I had my boy in boy scouts as non-LDS until they wanted him to do a presentation on Joseph Smith's first vision for his arrow of light. So much for that, we pulled him out once we found this out. Very disapointing. I always knew a general belief in God was part of the program, but a belief in LDS? The neighbors thought once we started going to scouts we were warming up to the religion. Everone started being really nice to us, but then when we pulled him out, we barely hear from them.

I agree with Anonymous.

The church already has its own separate organization: The Young Men's Group. The U.S. is the only country where the church uses a scouting-type group in addition to Young Men. Are the male youth in America that much more needy than the other countries, or are we holding on to an old tradition that is past its prime. It's time to part ways with the BSA.

IMHO, the world needs more "pushy moms" willing to set aside time to help their sons accomplish Scouting objectives. The program is a great framework for helping me teach them life skills and values. The Scouting emphasis on "esprit de corps" and community service is a much-need antidote for "the world revolves around me" mentality.

I am personally grateful for the wonderful, honorable men (Methodist, LDS, Jewish...) who mentor my sons through Scouting.

I am sorry to hear of your experience. I am LDS, and a scout leader for the last 10 years. Because of our location, our boys have been in both LDS and Non LDS units. There is NO requirement in ANY pack or troop, LDS or other, with the requirement you described. It sounds like some well-meaning leaders were trying to combine the Faith in God/Duty to God requirements with Scouting requirements. Go pick a good, strong non-LDS troop, be a parent volunteer (BTW, leaders actually have more fun than the scouts they lead..)and don't allow your son to miss out on a wonderful experience.

I think you are a fraud - You do not do presentations in Boy Scouts on Joseph Smith and the First vision for Arrow of Light. That is a Cub Scout award and it would be for the Religious Emblem, for the Religious Organization your boy is a part of. Why do you have your boy go to an LDS unit - if you are so sensitive about the Church? I would think a diverse knowledge base would help all boys!

RE: Disapppointed: Pulling your kid out of the program altogether sends a rather strong message about what you want... Perhaps you communicated more than you intended by pulling your kid out of scouts altogether, rather than just stating that you wouldn't do the Joseph Smith thing, and sticking with the program. It's easy to cast yourself as a victim when just a little effort on your part, demonstrating respect and communicating clearly can avoid it. Then again some people prefer to be thought of as victims, but I know of no LDS person who would do as you describe without some other indicators.

I am not a fraud. I was never in boy scouts so I am not well versed on the venacular, but I can assure you that this happened. I will swear on my fathers grave. Your comments just confirm my beliefs that if it doesn't seem to fit into your shoebox, then it must not be true. I can send you a copy of the form they handed out if you would like.

I pulled my kid out of scouts out of respect for my neighbors. I didn't want to make a fuss and be the dad who is the victim and make them change their ways of doing things just for me. After all, it was being taught in an LDS church and I figured that if that's how things are done with scouts and the LDS I didn't want to have any part of it. We have different beliefs and I didn't want my child being confused on what we believe. I am sure you would feel the same way if the scouts were in a catholic church and they were pushing their beliefs on you.

All of these comments make me realize why I don't want any part of the LDS culture.

I have been an assistant scout master and a scout master on and off over the past 10 years and I will be the first one to step forward and say that there are definitely frustrations when it comes to trying to run the full scouting program in the LDS context. I am also frustrated by the inconsist quality of the experience young men have in the scouting program in an LDS setting. I do know however that if the leaders get trained, truly care about their boys, and get a group of people to buy into the program and run it well, it can still be a thing of beauty.
To dissapointed, I am sorry that your neighbors have treated you that way. Don't give up on scouting. There are non-demoninational troops that do an awsome job with the program. Join one and get your son going.

I do not necessarily think "Disappointed" is a fraud, but apparently had a bad experience. Maybe he/she meant "Order of the Arrow" rather than "Arrow of Light"? Either way, leaders should not require a presentation to be on Joseph Smith's First Vision; that's not even in accordance with church guidance, which encourages sensitivity to people of other faiths. Maybe the scout leaders only intended to suggest the First Vision as a subject for the presentation? Even that may not have been appropriate for a non-LDS scout. While the scout leaders probably had good intentions, it sounds like a case of inappropriate or mis-communicated guidance.

Disappointed, I hope your son(s) can continue with positive scouting experiences, maybe in a different troop/pack.

I have been asked to be a scout leader in my stake. I loved doing scout stuff when I was a kid, I never got my eagle scout award, I was very very close. There is too much stress on being an eagle, just let the kids have fun and learn. If awards are motivation for some, then that is great. I have never been in a position that I regretted not being an eagle scout.

I find it interesting how the BSA just marked a MAJOR milestone and I read petty remarks on religion. I, my wife, daughters and sons were at the celebration last night and were honored to be a part of such a great organization that truly stands for Honor and doing ones best to help others, believe in God and take care of themselves physically, mentally and morally. As a family we worked with our oldest son and are working with our youngest towards their rank of Eagle. I wish more parents would get involved with their boys lives and participate in an organization that stands for honor, duty and respect to and of others. Yes, religion is a part of the Scouting organization and religious diversification is highly encouraged through all four families of scouting. I challenge all to take time to gain an understanding of the programs your sons and daughters are in, you'll be surprised of how much fun they have and knowledge they gain through experience and teaching by leaders who love the program and take a true interest in the future of those young men they lead.

The Scouting program is a wonderful program. Very happy that the church is in support of it. I've been reading what the LDS church leaders say about it on the LDS website under scouting in the 2007 conference for Scouting. If you get a chance you should check it out. For the many members that do not understand Scouting, just listen to the Prophet's words. It's obviously important, or the church would separate from it.

For those of you who are contesting "Disappointed", come out from under the vacuum you've been living in. So much of Utahans 'respect', 'trust', 'honesty', 'good works', etc is all based on whether the guy is called Mr. or Brother. Having lived in Utah all of my youth and outside of UT all of my adult life, uhh, let's see, how can I convince you...I can testify that that man's experience is viable and more likely happens quite a lot.

To Disappointed:
I'm LDS and never was much for Scouting. It didn't work for me. Seemed to be a clique to me that I never fit into. I'm sorry that you had this experience. ALL kids need to feel accepted and appreciated for who they are. Religion shouldn't matter. We all have far more in common as human beings and should be more supportive.
I am sorry that you and your son had a disappointing experience.