2. What benefits are there in operating the BSA-related activity programs, compared to Duty to God alone?

Duty to God might best be defined as a well-designed Aaronic Priesthood achievement program emphasizing attainments in personal spirituality, quorum and family relations, and in physical, educational/personal/career, and citizenship/social development. Many, if not the majority, of these goals lend themselves to being worked on individually, or in some cases in the family or in the Sunday quorum meeting.  About a third of the listed goals (for a Priest, about 20 of the 65) might effectively be worked on by a group of young men together as a midweek activity.  Some others could be introduced to the group of young men, but each young man would still need to pursue the goal individually outside the activity night setting.

A significant difference between Duty to God and the older-boy Scouting programs of Venturing and Varsity is that while the former is primarily an individual achievement program, these Scouting programs establish organizations for young men based upon a  group of methods that are designed to build character, promote citizenship, and develop fitness. The seven Venturing methods are defined as:

• Leadership–opportunities to learn and apply leadership skills, with youth as officers and activity planners and leaders.

• Group activities–Varsity and Venturing are activity-based, with young men working together to experience new things.

• Adult association–youth leading the crew and its activities with the support of exemplary adults.

• Recognition–advancement programs, plus acknowledgment of youth's competence by adults and peers.

• Ideals–know and live by Venturing Oath and Code, promising to do their Duty to God, help strengthen America, to help others, and to seek truth and fairness.

• High Adventure–providing new meaningful experiences, generally in the out-of-doors to promote team-building, practical leadership applications, and lifelong memories.

• Teaching others–in teaching what they have learned, young men increase their understanding and retention of learning and gains skills and confidence in speaking and relationships. (Venturer Leader Manual, Boy Scouts of America, 1998 (2000 printing), p. 2)

Of the seven, the Recognition method most nearly resembles the achievement purpose of the Duty to God program.

Some of the benefits of using the older-boy Scouting programs as the basis for activity programs for Priests and Teachers quorums are:

• Broad, rich activity programs.  When implemented effectively, Venturing and Varsity provide a more comprehensive and broadening experience and opportunity than Duty to God alone. Much of the Duty to God program is best worked on either individually or in a family setting as opposed to a quorum group activity setting. To provide a full Quorum-based midweek activity program, working on Duty to God goals as a priesthood group would probably have to be supplemented considerably by additional activities.  Varsity and Venturing provide processes to establish and carry out this richer program and much more.

• Development of leadership skills.  Duty to God is a wonderful achievement program, but does not provide guidelines or supports by itself for the quorum activity program to be boy planned and boy-led. Alternatively, inherent in the structure and methods of Venturing and Varsity are many supports for leadership training for the young men. These programs, when implemented as designed, not only promote growth in the young men through the wide range of activities they experience but also, through their planning, carrying out, and evaluating these activities under the advice and consultation of good leaders, the young men develop increased leadership skills of their own.

• Relationships of influence.  The broader program offerings when Varsity and Venturing are used effectively also promote more opportunity for exemplary leaders to establish relationships of influence with the young men, which are needed so very much by these age groups.  Research conducted by the Church demonstrated that the formation of strong bonds between young men 14 and older and their priesthood leaders was predictive of missionary service and activity in the Church when the young men become adults.

• Attract non-members and less-actives.  BSA programs not overwhelmingly and directly featuring religious content but focused on fitness, character, and leadership development and with a strong emphasis on outdoors and other activities that interest and challenge young men, are superior in attracting non-member and less-active youths and may help lead them to join or return to the Church.

• Protection and safety.  BSA has much to offer in the protection of young men and leaders, and for that matter, the Church as an organization. The BSA youth protection guidelines are very wise in preventing abuse and in avoiding situations where leaders might be accused of abuse. BSA has unequaled experience in  providing conditions for physical safety and in helping programs avoid unsafe activities.  There is also good legal assistance available when faced with lawsuits.

• National affiliation.  Affiliation with nation-wide BSA programs provides recognition, respect, and relationships for the Church with responsible outside entities.

• Widely recognized awards. Young men can earn widely recognized awards (Eagle, Venturing awards, scouting leadership awards) that will have credence in our society in their adult years.

The use of full Varsity Scouts or Venturing programs including those Duty to God-oriented goal activities that are doable as mid-week activities seems to us to be the far superior option for Teachers and Priests activity programs.

(Go to What are some ways to "blend Duty to God and Scouting," as instructed by Church leaders?)