After Boy Scout Gay Leader Policy Change Mormon Church is “Re-evaluating Scouting Program”

The Mormon church, a significant sponsor of the Boy Scouts of America, will be re-evaluating their commitment to the organization when leaders return from vacation.

In response to the change in policy on gay leaders in the Boy Scouts of America, in which 79 percent of voters supported lifting the ban, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published the following statement to Mormon Newsroom, titled “Church Re-evaluating Scouting Program”:

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is deeply troubled by today’s vote by the Boy Scouts of America National Executive Board. In spite of a request to delay the vote, it was scheduled at a time in July when members of the Church’s governing councils are out of their offices and do not meet. When the leadership of the Church resumes its regular schedule of meetings in August, the century-long association with Scouting will need to be examined. The Church has always welcomed all boys to its Scouting units regardless of sexual orientation. However, the admission of openly gay leaders is inconsistent with the doctrines of the Church and what have traditionally been the values of the Boy Scouts of America.

As a global organization with members in 170 countries, the Church has long been evaluating the limitations that fully one-half of its youth face where Scouting is not available. Those worldwide needs combined with this vote by the BSA National Executive Board will be carefully reviewed by the leaders of the Church in the weeks ahead.”

@NewsPimp @KIRO7Seattle Mormon Church is largest faith-based sponsor of Boy Scouts in the country. Which makes their support significant

— Nick McGurk (@NickKIRO7) July 28, 2015

Resources

• Washington Times
• Mormon Newsroom Statement

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