Church Announcement On Discontinuing BSA Varsity & Venture Programs

May 11, 2018 

Stake presidents and bishops received a letter today from the First Presidency informing them that as of January 1, 2018, the Church will no longer charter BSA Varsity and Venture programs. Included in this announcement were new program guidelines for young men ages 14-18. We encourage you to counsel together on how to implement these guidelines to bless young men. Activities should provide opportunities to be with youth, connect them with heaven, and let them lead. Please go to ymactivities.lds.org for more details.

 

Thank you for your faithful service,

 

Young Men General Presidency

Church to Go Forward with Scouting Program

We continue to evaluate options that meet its global needs

SALT LAKE CITY — 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Wednesday from the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles regarding the Church’s relationship with the Boy Scouts of America:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appreciates the positive contributions Scouting has made over the years to thousands of its young men and boys and to thousands of other youth. As leaders of the Church, 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.

In the resolution adopted on July 27, 2015, and in subsequent verbal assurances to us, BSA has reiterated that it expects those who sponsor Scouting units (such as the Church) to appoint Scout leaders according to their religious and moral values “in word and deed and who will best inculcate the organization’s values through the Scouting program.” 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.

With equal concern for the substantial number of youth who live outside the United States and Canada, the Church will continue to evaluate and refine program options that better meet its global needs.