RACE, RELIGION + SOCIAL JUSTICE

LDS Church announces impending split from BSA

May 8, 2018, 7:17 PM | Updated: May 9, 2018, 12:44 pm

Former LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson looks over merit badges of scout Richard Garff Folkers...

Former LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson looks over merit badges of scout Richard Garff Folkerson. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans Tuesdayto sever its remaining ties with the Boy Scouts of America, ending its role as a chartered partner.

​​​​​​​​​​

The announcement came in a joint statement with the BSA, noting the conclusion of their relationship will occur on December 31, 2019.

” Until that date, to allow for an orderly transition, the intention of the Church is to remain a fully engaged partner in Scouting for boys and young men ages 8–13 and encourages all youth, families, and leaders to continue their active participation and financial support,” the statement said.

The split comes as the faith works to unify its programs for boys and young men across the globe, bringing them under one umbrella.

“The Church has grown from a U.S.-centered institution to a worldwide organization, with a majority of its membership living outside the United States. That trend is accelerating. The Church has increasingly felt the need to create and implement a uniform youth leadership and development program that serves its members globally,” the statement said.

The LDS Church and Boy Scouts of America have a long shared history dating back more than a century. The Church is the oldest and largest charter organization of BSA troops. A 2017 story in the Deseret News reported 1 in 6 American scouts was Mormon. However, BSA programs are not available to an increasingly large population of Mormon youth outside of the United States and Canada.

Tuesday’s announcement sets a date for the final divorce of two organizations which have closely collaborated since 1913.

Signs of tension have shown between the two organizations in recent years. In 2015, BSA’s National Executive Council voted to allow openly gay scout leaders. The LDS Church then issued a statement saying it was re-evaluating its relationship with Scouting. A follow-up statement said the Church would “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 same statement though reiterated that the LDS Church was evaluating other options to “better meet its global needs.”

In May of 2017, the LDS Church’s First Presidency revealed they would be dropping the BSA’s Varsity and Venture programs, which are offered to boys aged 14 to 17, effective January 1, 2018. Additional materials from the church noted the Varsity and Venture programs were difficult to implement in the church. However, Mormon boys were expected to continue taking part in Cub Scout and BSA activities through age 13 in the U.S. and Canada. At the time, BSA issued a statement expressing deep appreciation for the LDS Church, noting it was the first sponsor organization for Scouting in the United States.

“We knew that at some point this [announcement] was going to happen. We just did not know the exact timing on it,” said Bruce Hough, President of the Great Salt Lake Council.

The separation comes amid what has already been a season of significant change for Boy Scouts of America.

BSA has struggled with declining participation in recent years. Just a week ago, BSA revealed a new brand for its signature program. The name change to “Scouts BSA” comes as the organization prepared to welcome female participants into its ranks.

An exodus of Mormon scouts will likely come as a financial blow to BSA, however. Youth participants and adult volunteers each pay annual membership dues to BSA. The LDS Church’s impending departure from Scouting will pull many regular dues-paying members, perhaps hundreds of thousands of them, out of the organization.

“It goes without saying that when you have a partner that is as large and dominant that there will be an effect on membership,” Hough said. “We partner with what we call local chartered organizations. So a local ward would be a local chartered organizations. They would sponsor scouting and provide adult leadership and a place to meet. Those three things are very important.”

Even though he expects to see a dip in membership, Hough  said the Council has been preparing for the announcement and is confident youth and adults will continue to appreciate what the BSA programs offer.

“It’s a family oriented values driven program that can really help youth make those moral and ethical decisions that can help youth make those moral and ethical decisions throughout their life.”

 

— Contributing: Brianna Bodily

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Race, Religion + Social Justice

President Camille Johnson, General Relief Society President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter...

Mark Jones

Finding relief from life’s challenges with President Camille Johnson

General Relief Society President Camille Johnson spoke to KSL about her Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ministry in Africa.

11 months ago

An open house for the St. George Utah Temple will begin on Friday, Sept. 15 and run through Saturda...

Mark Jones

Church announces rededication date for St. George Utah Temple

The open house and rededication dates for the St. George Utah Temple were announced Monday by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

11 months ago

Photo courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....

Jessica Lowell

Missionary dead after accident in Clearfield

A missionary is dead after an accident where he hit his head.

11 months ago

The Toronto Ontario Canada Temple. Photo credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....

Mark Jones

Church announces temple sites in Ghana and Norway

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced temple sites this week in Ghana and Norway. The Church also announced the Toronto Ontario Temple will close for renovation.

11 months ago

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port of Brownsville held a full-scale readiness exercise at Gate...

ELLIOT SPAGAT Associated Press

Why nationalities matter as US braces for migration surge

A migration surge is expected to come with the expiration on May 11 of Title 42.

11 months ago

Elder Brandon Newbrough and his companion Elder Taylor Sorensen, missionaries for The Church of Jes...

Lindsay Aerts

Emigration Creek residents get sandbagging help from pair of missionaries

A pair of missionaries have been helping people living in Emigration Canyon with sandbagging duties.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

LDS Church announces impending split from BSA