In the 1991 edition of the Aaronic Priesthood Handbook (see page 6) it states: "The mission of the Aaronic Priesthood is to help each young man-- 

• Become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live by its teachings.
• Magnify priesthood callings.
• Give meaningful service
• Prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood
• Commit to, worthily prepare for, and serve an honorable full time mission.
• Live worthy to receive temple covenants and prepare to become a worthy husband and father."

    The above six statements summarize the objectives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for each Priest age young man.  In the Taylorsville Utah Central Stake it is hoped that each young man will adopt the six objectives, listed in the Mission Statement of the Aaronic Priesthood, as his own personal goals which he will work toward achieving.  To this end our Stake has adopted a Young Men's Theme.  It is hoped that this Theme, which incorporates the Mission statement of the Aaronic Priesthood with the 13th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, will be memorized and repeated each time the young men meet together.  By so doing, it is hoped that each young man will internalize these goals as his own. 

    The Venturer program supported by the Boy Scouts of America encourages a well rounded activity program for our Priest age young men (16-19) incorporating activities in the following six experience areas: 

•  Social -   Establish stable personal values firmly based on religious concepts.  Develop skill in dealing with all people and a sense of family responsibility.
• Service -  Encourage the desire and skill to help others.  Gain a keen respect for the basic rights of others.
• Leadership - Prepare to give leadership and fulfill their responsibility to American society and the forums of the world.  Develop a sense of pride in American heritage.
• Fitness -  Improve mental, emotional, and physical fitness.
• Outdoor - Foster a degree of self-reliance based on courage, initiative, and resourcefulness.  Appreciate and use resources wisely and protect our environment.
• Career -  Gain an understanding of America's social, economic, and governmental systems.  Gain insight into various career choices.

    When "Aaronic Priesthood Venturing" is employed,the six experience areas of Venturing work together in harmony with the six mission statement objectives of the Aaronic Priesthood. 

    In the Venturing program the goals of the Boy Scouts of America are to: 

• Instill values in young people
• Prepare them to make ethical choices
• To provide ethical leadership
• To take responsibility for themselves
• To show respect for others and to give service to them 
• To enjoy life

    (See pages A-6, A-8 of the BSA Venturer Leader Handbook) 

   The above goals which BSA has set for the Venturing program of Scouting are worthy goals.  They are also goals which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to instill within Priest age young men of the Church.  While the end goal of the Boy Scouts of America is to produce strong citizens, the goal of the Church goes beyond that goal with the goal of preparing young men to follow Jesus Christ and thus prepare themselves for Eternal Life in the Celestial Kingdom. 

The six Venturing Experience Areas are consistent with the Church's objectives with the Priests Quorum.  Wisely used, the Venturing program can effectively function as the activity arm of the Priests Quorum in building strong Christlike character to prepare our young men for their present and future responsibilities.  In the Taylorsville Utah Central Stake we encourage Priesthood leaders to think of the Priests Quorum and the Venturer Crew as one single entity serving the everyday growth needs of the Priest age young men within our stake. 
 
Weekly Priests Quorum/Venturer Crew Actvities 

    Each weekly Priests Quorum/Venturer Crew activity should embrace at least one of the six Priests Quorum Mission Statement Objectives and one of the six Aaronic Priesthood Venturing Experience Areas.  Rotating among them will satisfy the full breadth and depth of developmental concerns for Priest-age young men.  Quorum/Crew leaders who diligently and enthusiastically embrace and implement the Priests Quorum Objectives and the Venturing Experience Areas in planning their weekly activities will greatly aid Priest-age young men in magnifying their callings in the Aaronic Priesthood and completing their personal preparations to receive and magnify their responsibilities in the Melchizedek Priesthood.  (Aaronic Priesthood Venturing Program Guide p. 6) 
 
    Some examples of Quorum/Crew activities which fulfill both Priests Quorum Objective and Venturing Experience Areas are: 

•  A dating panel with the Laurels ("Social" - establish stable personal values firmly based on religious concepts and develop skill in dealing with all people; and, "Prepare for eternal marriage and successful family life")
• Invite a marriage counselor to discuss the impact of career choices on husband-wife and family relationships. ("Career" and "Preparation for eternal marriage and successful family life as a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder") 
• Have a Campfire Testimony Meeting ("Become converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ" and "Outdoor"- appreciate and protect the environment)
• Visit each of the Bishops in the stake to discuss their careers and their Priesthood callings. ("Magnify Calling" / "Career")
• Have a genealogy workshop activity ("Magnify Calling" / "Service")
• Visit the Missionary Training Center ("Commit to, worthy prepare for, and serve an honorable full time mission" / "Social")
• Visit a rest home or hospital and throw an un-birthday party for them ("Give meaningful service" / "Social")
• Organize and conduct a Primary Olympics for the children in the Ward. ("Give meaningful service" / "Fitness")
• Have a Fathers and Sons over nighter ("Prepare to become a worthy husband and father" / "Outdoor")
• Have a Mothers and Sons night ("Prepare to become a worthy husband and father" / "Social")
• VISIT YOUR VENTURER EXCHANGE/ROUND TABLE MONTHLY MEETINGS AND GET A VARIETY OF IDEAS FROM OTHERS AS TO WHAT ACTIVITIES THEY HAVE HELD THAT WORKED WELL.  These meetings are held for our District (Dist. 15 / Old English Fort District) on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Taylorsville High School Seminary Building.