The Primary and

Scouting

All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

3 Nephi 22:13Primary Theme

The purposes of Primary are to help children:

• Feel Heavenly Father’s love for them• Learn and Understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ• Feel and Recognize the influence of the Holy

Ghost• Prepare to make and keep Sacred Covenants

11.1 Handbook 2

• In 1952, Primary was given responsibility for Cub Scouting for LDS boys 8-10 years of age and Boy Scouting for eleven-year-old boys.

• Ever since, a close working relationship has existed between the primary and the Boy Scouts of America.

“And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land of Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying: Arise, and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain, and cried unto the Lord.”

1 Nephi 17:7

“And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters.”

1 Nephi 17:8

• Nephi was asked to build a ship.

• We have been asked to build boys.

President Henry B. Eyring Taught

• You are called of God

• The Lord will guide you

• The Lord will magnify you

“It is far better to build boys than to

mend men.” President Thomas S. Monson

(Ensign April 1988)

How do we help “Build” boys?

• Through Scouting and Cub Scouting

Cub Scouts are part of the whole Priesthood picture. It’s where we lay

the foundation.

The purposes of Scouting and Cub Scouting is the same:

To provide activities and leadership opportunities to young men in the Church

preparing for future duties as:

• Missionaries• Fathers• Husbands• Temple-going Melchizedek

Priesthood Holders

• Whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?

1 Nephi 17:9

As we “Build” boys, we too need “Tools” to help us.

• Scout Manuals

Scout Manuals

Each Scout manual contains the achievements necessary to complete each

badge.

As we “Build” boys, we too need “Tools” to help us.

• Scout Manuals

• Scout Handbook -Available to view online at lds.org

Scout Handbook

The Scout Handbook explains the relationships between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints and the Boy Scouts of America.

As we “Build” boys, we too need “Tools” to help us.

• Scout Manuals

• Scout Handbook -Available to view online at lds.org

• Cub Scouts Meeting Resource Guide

Cub ScoutsMeeting Resource Guide

The Meeting Resource Guide contains a yearly outline, that when followed, will allow each boy to complete all necessary requirements for each

badge regardless of when they enter the Den.

As we “Build” boys, we too need “Tools” to help us.

• Scout Manuals

• Scout Handbook -Available to view online at lds.org

• Cub Scouts Meeting Resource Guide

• Faith In God

Faith In God

To maintain a gospel focus in scout activities, leaders use the Faith In God For Boys guidebook

as one of their resources.

As we “Build” boys, we too need “Tools” to help us.

• Scout Manuals

• Scout Handbook -Available to view online at lds.org

• Cub Scouts MeetingResource Guide

• Faith In God

• Handbook 2: Administering the Church– Available to view online at lds.org

Handbook 2Administering the Church

Leaders learn their duties by studying the instructions in Church Handbooks. These

instructions can facilitate revelation if they are used to provide an understanding of principles, policies, and procedures to apply while seeking

the guidance of the Spirit.

As we “Build” boys, we too need “Tools” to help us.

• Scout Manuals

• Scout Handbook-Available to view online at lds.org

• Cub Scout MeetingResource Guide

• Faith In God

• Handbook 2: Administering the Church– Available to view online at lds.org

Other “Tools” Include:

• Preparing Spiritually• Keeping the Commandments• Studying the scriptures and teaching of latter-day

prophets• Praying• Fasting• Humbling ourselves before the Lord

3.2.1 Handbook 2

Other “Tools” Include:

• Ministering to Others• Remembering their names and becoming acquainted

with them (Moroni 6:4)• Loving them without judging them (John 13:34-35)• Watching over them and strengthening their faith “one

by one” as the Savior did (3 Nephi 11:15; 17:21)• Establishing sincere friendships with them (D&C 20:47)

3.2.3 Handbook 2

Other “Tools” Include:

• Teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ:• Sharing Testimonies• Conducting doctrinally based discussions in classes and

activities

3.2.4 Handbook 2

“Scouting is fun and has an important purpose! Woven through all the fun is

an INSPIRED program that really works. Scouting is about learning and

living the gospel. Scouting can reinforce positive character values and leadership skills that are taught in the

home.”(Cheryl C. Lant, Former Primary General President)

We are not just called as Leaders for Sunday or just on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon or evening. Our calls go far beyond that.

As Paul Taught…

Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

The Lord will qualify those He calls. Members do not need to be highly experienced before serving.

We can learn from:• Experience• Exercising faith• Working diligently

3.3.3 Handbook 2

Scouting can help young men and boys enhance close relationships with their families and the

Church while developing strong and desirable traits of character, citizenship, and physical and mental

fitness. Scouting under Church sponsorship should become an extension of the home, Primary classes,

and Aaronic Priesthood quorums.

1.1 Scouting Handbook

Scouting prepares boys to become righteous men who hold and honor the priesthood of God. Scout leaders have

the responsibility to help each boy CONNECT what he is learning in scouting

to his priesthood preparation and his future as a covenant keeping missionary,

husband, and father.

Cheryl C. Lant(www.lds.org/primary)

As we help to “Build” our boys, “After the manner which [the Lord] shall show thee” (1 Nephi

17:8), may they be as strong as Nephi’s ship so that when there arises “a great storm, yea, a

great and terrible tempest” (1 Nephi 18:13) our boys will be able to withstand by having:

• Feet firmly planted on Gospel Sod• Hands tightly grasped to the Iron Rod

Just as Nephi’s ship made it to the “Promised Land” we, along with our

boys, can make it to the Celestial Kingdom.