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Do not overlook Varsity Scouts and Venturing.
Now, brethren, one caution: as you apply the program of Scouting to strengthen Aaronic Priesthood quorums, please do not overlook the benefits of Varsity Scouting and Venturing in the teachers and priests quorums. At this age, when young men should be increasing their focus on mission preparation, instead they are often sidetracked by girls, cars, jobs, sports, and many other distractions---some good, some not. And often the only response is weekly basketball during mutual. That is not enough to help prepare them to become great missionaries, husbands, and fathers.
Varsity Scouting and Venturing are effective resources to help support the teachers and priests quorums of the Church raise the bar for these great young men of the Aaronic Priesthood by teaching them timeless values, giving them opportunities to learn and apply leadership skills and develop spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially---all in a fun and enjoyable setting, planned by the young men themselves, with appropriate adult supervision. All we have been talking about today helps us to fulfill the charge of President Hinckley and Elder Ballard to prepare the greatest generation of missionaries this world has ever seen. I don't know any better way to do that than to fully apply all the tools that we have, including Aaronic Priesthood, Fulfilling Our Duty to God, and
Scouting---Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, and Venturing. Aaronic Priesthood--Scouting Satellite Broadcast, Saturday, May 12, 2007
Realizing the majesty of all Scouting programs to strengthen the Aaronic Priesthood
God bless each priests quorum adviser, Varsity coach, Scoutmaster, merit badge counselor, and all within the sound of my voice and beyond who realize the majesty that can be part of the activity program of the Aaronic Priesthood, if we apply the principles that caused the Brethren, in 1913, to enter into a partnership with the Boy Scouts of America for the strengthening of the Aaronic Priesthood. There was inspiration in that decision, as there is inspiration in the decision to continue that decision today. And there must be inspiration in applying the principles of Scouting to strengthen and vitalize the quorums of the Aaronic Priesthood and each young priesthood bearer today.
"Let No Man Despise Thy Youth" Young Men Open House, Spring 2006
Promises if the Varsity and Venturing are alive and functioning in a ward
I promise you that if the Scouting program in all age groups is alive and functioning, including the Varsity program for the teacher-age boys and the Venturing program for the priests, it will make a difference in the quality of the experience your young men receive and their preparation for a mission.
Fall 2005 Young Men Open House
Be certain to implement Varsity and Venturing
In the United States and Canada, as you evaluate your Young Men activity program, be certain that you implement the Scouting program, including Varsity and Venturing. Scouting is the activity arm of the priesthood in these countries. It is very evident that in those stakes and wards where Scouting is used to strengthen the priesthood, the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood are much stronger and better prepared than they would otherwise have been.
Aaronic Priesthood/Young Men April 2005 General Conference Workshop Training
Teach leaders the role of Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing in supporting the purposes of the Aaronic
Priesthood
[Bishops] If you are in the United States or Canada, teach leaders the role of Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing in supporting the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and helping the young men of the quorum become men of character and strength...
In the United States and Canada, we have a wonderful partnership with the Boy Scouts of America. Scouting in these countries provides a vital application phase of the learning process
for our Aaronic Priesthood quorums. I have found an unexplained reluctance on the part of some priesthood leaders to implement fully Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing as the activity arm of their
quorums and to become trained themselves.
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone once said, "I do not believe that Varsity Scouting is on trial in the Church, nor is Boy Scouting, Cub Scouting, or [Venturing]. But rather it is my firm belief that bishops, and the ward leaders, the advisers, Scoutmasters, coaches, and [Venturing] advisers are on trial. The program will work if they will work and become trained and put into effect the things they have been trained to do." (personal letter to Thane J. Packer, Oct. 7, 1997, in Thane J. Packer, On My Honor: A Guide to Scouting in the Church, [1998], 57).
"Strengthening and Vitalizing Aaronic Priesthood Quorums" September 2004 Open House
The Church endorses Cub Packs, Scout Troops, Varsity Teams and Venturing Crews
The Church continues to follow the programs of the Boy Scouts of America to help its young men 12 to 18 years of age as they magnify their callings in
the priesthood. Scouting helps young men develop desirable character traits, citizenship, and physical and mental fitness. The Scouting program teaches young men how to rely on themselves, serve and lead others,
prepare for emergencies, conserve natural resources, and become actively involved in community, school, and Church service projects.
The Young Men general presidency emphasizes that Scouting continues to play a strong role in fulfilling the Aaronic Priesthood objectives of preparing young men for full-time missions, temple blessings, and righteous manhood...
For boys and young men ages 8-18 in the United States, the Church endorses affiliation with BSA Cub Scout packs, Scout troops, Varsity teams, and Venturing crews. Lds.org/Aaronic
Priesthood /Young Men/History of Scouting in the Church
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