The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on May 8, 2018, they will be discontinuing their partnership with the Boy Scouts of America and implementing a worldwide initiative for the youth and children of the church, according to an official statement from Mormon Newsroom.
The church has had a relationship with the Boy Scouts of America for over 100 years, according to the joint statement issued by the church and the Boy Scouts of America
“The children and youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide are precious,” the statement reads. “They represent the future, and ministering to their needs is a significant focus for the church.”
This worldwide initiative is something the church has been preparing “for years” to help the children and youth of the church “develop faith in the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” according to the statement. It will also help children and youth “discover their eternal identity, build character and resilience, develop life skills and fulfill their diving roles as daughters and sons of God.”
Along with the recent ministering efforts of the church, this worldwide youth and children initiative will help the church customize their experiences and provide appropriate service activities to help strengthen members and communities.
The initiative will be implemented in January 2020.
The statement dictates that in preparation for this global initiative, the church’s relationship as a chartered organization with the Boy Scouts of America will conclude on December 31, 2019.
The church will continue to function within its partnership until that date and will continue to encourage families and leaders to participate in Scouting until then, according to the statement. A “Frequently Asked Questions” statement was also issued by Mormon Newsroom to help answer any questions regarding the initiative and Scouting.
“The church honors Scouting organizations for their continued goal to develop character and instill values in youth,” the initial statement reads. “The lives of hundreds of thousands of young men, along with their families and communities, have been blessed by Scouting organizations worldwide.”
For more information regarding the initiative, visit childrenandyouth.lds.org.
