Mormon Church Will Continue to Sponsor Boy Scouts of America; Will Screen Scout Leaders

By Alison Lesley --
27 Aug 2015 --

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Mormon Boy Scouts will only have Scout leaders who have been screened and prequalified by the church.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) will continue to be part of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). This has been the decision of the church’s governing body Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

BREAKING: Mormon church to keep affiliation with Boy Scouts despite decision to allow gay leaders.
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 26, 2015

In an official statement released on August 26, the church clarified that BSA has assured, through meetings and an official resolution, that the church and all other sponsors of BSA have the privilege and responsibility to choose Scout leaders according to their respective “moral and religious values.” This means that Mormon Boy Scouts will only have Scout leaders who were screened and prequalified by the church.

Part of the statement reads: “At this time, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will go forward as a chartering organization of BSA, and as in the past, will appoint Scout leaders and volunteers who uphold and exemplify Church doctrine, values, and standards.”

The relationship of the church and the BSA was questioned when the organization eventually accepted gay members to become Scout leaders regardless of their personal backgrounds and religious affiliations. This caused several members and groups within the LDS church to worry since the religion only allows gay Scout leaders if they abstain from any sexual relationship.

The church leaders have also acknowledged the beneficial relationship it had with the Boy Scouts throughout the years: “we want the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to succeed in its historic mission to instill leadership skills and high moral standards in youth of all faiths and circumstances, thereby equipping them for greater success in life and valuable service to their country.”