For 100 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has enjoyed a strong, rewarding relationship with Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
Recently, BSA has been reviewing a possible policy change in its standards for membership and leadership. Now that BSA has finished its review process and has proposed a resolution for consideration, the Church has issued the following statement:
“Over the past several weeks BSA has undertaken the difficult task of reviewing its membership standards policy. In their own words, this undertaking has been ‘the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history.’
“While the Church has not launched any campaign either to effect or prevent a policy change we have followed the discussion and are satisfied that BSA has made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues that, as they have said, remain ‘among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.’
“The current BSA proposal constructively addresses a number of important issues that have been part of the on-going dialogue including consistent standards for all BSA partners, recognition that Scouting exists to serve and benefit youth rather than Scout leaders, a single standard of moral purity for youth in the program, and a renewed emphasis for Scouts to honor their duty to God.
“We are grateful to BSA for their careful consideration of these issues. We appreciate the positive things contained in this current proposal that will help build and strengthen the moral character and leadership skills of youth as we work together in the future.”
SWFMay 6, 2013
Response to Chuck Whicker: Joseph Smith said the Lord, not the church members, would be the one to remove an erring President of the Church. The Lord says (D&C 21:5) that we are to receive the prophet's word "as if from my own mouth, in all patience and faith." It's not our job to criticize the prophet, it's our job to follow him. This is really hard for people who are afraid we'll be led astray if we follow like sheep. The Lord has never demanded continual blind obedience, but he has often required faith in doing things we don't yet understand. YES, absolutely we must ask the Lord for confirmation as we follow the prophet, especially as we have concerns or doubts. We are promised that as we obey we will know the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether the prophet is speaking of himself. But Joseph Smith was clear: If the prophet is in error, the Lord will correct him or remove him. Follow the prophet, and the Lord will take care of His Church. It is His, after all, and he directs it, watching over it continually.
Chuck WhickerApril 29, 2013
One person commented by saying "let's not steady the ark, folks." He was implying that it's not our job, but belongs to the church leadership to make the decision. This is actually backwards from the truth of what it means to "steady the ark." The man who reached for the ark, to steady it, did so with all good intent, of course, but also did so in a manner that was against a particular law of the covenant he had embraced. Touching the ark was forbidden to any who was not appointed. However, when it comes to accepting or rejecting homosexuality in the ranks, every member of the church has equal authority to warn against its acceptance: D&C 88:81: "it behooveth every man who hat been warned to warn his neighbor." Decisions and policies that BREAK the covenant, or standard that is appointed for this dispensation are condemned by the Lord - even if, and especially if, it is the First Presidency who does it. There are no guarantees against churchwide apostasy through unrighteous decisions - a fact that the leadership taught plainly during Brigham's and Joseph's day. The scriptural record, of course, demonstrates that very pattern, over and over again. D&C 107: around verse 84 (?) gives the Lord's appointed procedure for excommunicating a president of the church "should he become a transgressor." Thus, the membership who support an errant decision from the highest leadership will have no excuse: : "and thus, none shall be excused..." D&C 84:54-57 tells of the "whole church" being "under condemnation" for having failed to establish the principles of Zion. Many other verses could be quoted, warnings straight out of the D&C, not to mention the many that exist in the Journal of Discourses.