1. Aaronic Priesthood and LDS Scouting
Bishops Roundtable Session
2 February 2017

3. What is the Purpose of Scouting?

4. What is the Purpose of Scouting?
For a boy to earn his Eagle Scout Award?

5. What is the Purpose of Scouting?X
No. That is NOT the main purpose of Scouting.

6. What is the Purpose of Scouting?
The Eagle Scout Award could be an outcome, but it is so much more about helping the young men and boys develop traits and skills that will help them be successful in society and their families – now and future.
Mental and Physical Health
Character Development
Citizenship Training

7. Character Development Citizenship Training Mental and Physical Fitness
Aims of Scouting
Character Development Citizenship Training Mental and Physical Fitness

8. Scout Law Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Friendly Courteous Kind Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent

9. Scout Oath On my honor I will do my best
to do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
to help other people at all times;
to keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and
morally straight.

10. “If ever there were a time when the principles of Scouting were vitally needed—that time is now.” President Monson, 1991
“Scouting brings out the best in each of us … You’ve learned much from Scouting. Live what you’ve learned and will continue to learn … You are part of a mighty army of youth, even a royal army, and every organization, to be successful, has an honored tradition to uphold. May you uphold Scouting’s tradition, for it can be as a lighthouse beacon in the world of stormy seas, it can be a motivation to prepare for your role in life, it can be a yardstick against which you measure your accomplishments.”
President Monson, 2010

11. What is the Purpose of Scouting in the LDS Church?

12. Support the Purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood (Our charge is to provide the experiences such that he will …)
Become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live its teachings.
Serve faithfully in priesthood callings and fulfill the responsibilities of priesthood offices.
Give meaningful service.
Prepare and live worthily to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and temple ordinances.
Prepare to serve an honorable full-time mission.
Obtain as much education as possible.
Prepare to become a worthy husband and father.
Give proper respect to women girls and children.
It’s all about what we’d like to see our young men become. Review the mission of the Aaronic Priesthood. This evening we’re going to learn how Venturing methods work quietly in the background helping young men become what the Lord would have them become.

13. “[Scouting] is a wonderful tool to help build and strengthen core values in the lives of young men. It is critical that we do not become overly program driven. The main thing is not to forget the main thing. What is the main thing? Instilling values into young men that will guide them to make wise and ethical choices throughout their lives; strengthening the family, and developing a testimony of Jesus Christ and His divine mission. These three things are the main thing, and we should never loose sight of that. If we do it is the equivalent of looking beyond the mark.”
Elder Donald Keyes, formerly of the Seventy
Elder Donald Keys served the Trapper Trails Council as the first point of contact with the LDS Church several years back. In June of 2006 he made the comment recorded above. He cautioned not to lose sight of the main thing, and then defines what the main thing is.

14. Remember the Purpose … Come unto Christ, and… be perfected in him …
God’s Purpose – Moses 1:39
Church’s Purpose
Family Purpose
Quorum Purpose
Scouting Purpose
… Come unto Christ, and…
be perfected in him …
Moroni 10:32
“The main thing is not to forget the main thing …
Instilling values …
strengthening the family …
developing a testimony of Jesus Christ and His divine mission.”
- Elder Donald Keyes, formerly of the Seventy

15. If your young men and YM advisers and are not including the Scouting programs in their weekly and yearly planning, what are they using?
What are the purposes of their “program”?

16. Scouting programs (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturing) have detailed and organized programs and materials that have been developed with LDS influence
They are based off proven experience and results
It should be “easier” for an adult adviser to use the developed programs and materials rather than to try to create his own program

17. Varsity Program 5 Fields of Emphasis – Balanced Program
Advancement in Scouting High Adventure/Sports Personal Development Service Special Programs and Events

18. Varsity Program High Adventure & Sports
Backpacking
Canoe Camping
Caving
Cross-Country Skiing
Cycling
Discovering America
Fishing
Freestyle Biking
Frontiersman
Mechanics
Operation On-Target
Orienteering
Rock Climbing and Rappelling
Roller Hockey
Shooting Sports
Snow Camping
Survival
Swimming
Waterskiing
Whitewater Canoeing 
Basketball
Bowling
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Triathlon
Volleyball

19. Venturing Program
Adventure Leadership / Mentoring Personal Development/Growth Service / Social Adult Association Ideals Group Identity
Venturing Ideals: Know and live by the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Promise to be faithful in religious duties, treasure their American heritage, help others, and seek truth and fairness.

20. Extending Callings and Providing Expectations
See Handout
When a calling is extended, provide expectations and resources
Testimony, Training, Time, Tenure
Support – Committees
Program expectation – Journey To Excellence

26. Getting Started (if not already working well)

27. Step 1: Train the Quorum Presidency
Bishop and Advisers set up a Quorum Presidency Meeting
Give expectations and job descriptions for each presidency member
Teach the purpose and format for quorum presidency meetings
Establish a regular quorum presidency meeting schedule and agenda/format
Establish a regular format and guideline for weekly Mutual program

28. Step 1A-1: Expectations and Job Descriptions
The boys are the LEADERS of the quorum (along with the Bishop in the Priest quorum) The other adults are “advisers.” Don’t take the leadership role away from the boys.
Weekly Presidency Meeting.
Specific roles and responsibilities. Ideally these are explained and given to the Priest/Teacher/Deacon when he is called by the Bishopric to be a quorum leader.
More ….

29. PLAN WITH PURPOSE – Priest Quorum Example !
First Week Second Week Third Week Fourth Week Fifth Week
PLAN WITH PURPOSE – Priest Quorum Example !
Ethics in Action
Ethics Forums
Ethical Controversies
Quorum Presidency
Quorum Code of Conduct
Adventure
Ranger Award Requirements
Quest Award Requirements
High Adventure Summer & Winter Activities
Church & BSA Sports
Rappelling
Scuba
Ice climbing
Snowmobiling
Leadership / Mentoring
Visit collegiate campuses
Produce a resume’
Career nights from PCI
How to interview well
Leadership Skills Courses
Personal Growth/Duty to God
Missionary splits
Cooking classes
Cultural Exchanges
Preach My Gospel
TRUST Award Requirements
Service/Social
Possible assignments for committees responsible for the quorum’s [crew’s] activities for a typical month. In the BSA, Venturing Crews are co-ed. The local council would have no difficulty, however, in inviting girls to Venturing activities using BSA properties. Three Venturing awards are mentioned here in passing: The Ranger, Quest, and the Trust Award. They have remained fro the old program. New to Venturing are STEM awards.
Teach the Venturing method known as Ethical Controversy and suggest it as a possible 5th week activity. Note the powerful influence of Ethics Forums within this group. These forums can be used to promote Priesthood purposes. Examples follow.
Learn to dance
Teach the Laurels to repel
Organize a blood drive
Clean up a park or playground

30. Step 2: Train the Quorum Members (and Parents)
Weekly, Monthly, and Year Program
Quorum member participation
Activity Interest Survey/Program Capability Survey
Parent’s meetings and Committee
Duty To God Program
Sunday/Weekly Expectations
Father/Son Overnighter
Activity Program Key Features (Priest/Venturing example below)
ALPS
Leadership Skills Course
Ethical Controversies
Kodiak

31. Step 3: Endure to the End
Don’t forget the Purpose
Dig into the full training resources and program details
Tweak, modify, and expand as needed to fulfill the purposes
Use the Church identified programs and expectations. It could take several months or even a year until old traditions are overcome and boys and leaders see the value of programs the Church has identified for our young men.
D&C 82:10 “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say ….”

32. Comments, Questions, Feedback
Was this helpful?
Should we have more of these Bishop specific break-outs in the future?