Another Tie between the Church and Scouting is Going Away
This article caught my attention, "LDS Church discontinues leadership conferences at Philmont Scout Ranch."
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900004968/lds-church-discontinues-its-annual-leadership-conferences-at-philmont-scout-ranch.html
I went to Philmont one September a number of years ago to renew my COPE certification (my certification has long since expired). I'd actually forgotten about that until I was reading the article. It was a fun experience.
Anyway, there is a perfectly logical explanation for the discontinuation. The announcement was in a letter sent to Area Seventies and stake and district presidents of the Church. Part of the letter states:
However, given what has happened over the past year, where the Church will no longer use Scouting for the older boys and the changes within Scouting (such as allowing transgender youth), I can't help but see this as a step which will make an eventual full withdrawal less painful.
I don't think any of the Church leaders are planning on a withdrawal, although some may see it as a future possibility. Knowing that the Lord leads his Church through his prophets, and this decision probably was made with unanimous support from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, it would make sense that if the Church will eventually withdraw from Scouting it should be making steps to ease that process.
Not having this annual training conference at Philmont seems to cut another tie between the Church and Scouting.
It will be interesting to see what unfolds over the next year.
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900004968/lds-church-discontinues-its-annual-leadership-conferences-at-philmont-scout-ranch.html
I went to Philmont one September a number of years ago to renew my COPE certification (my certification has long since expired). I'd actually forgotten about that until I was reading the article. It was a fun experience.
Anyway, there is a perfectly logical explanation for the discontinuation. The announcement was in a letter sent to Area Seventies and stake and district presidents of the Church. Part of the letter states:
“As part of an ongoing effort to reduce demands made upon leaders and simplify the programs of the church, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve have determined it appropriate to discontinue the annual Priesthood Leadership Conference on Scouting held at the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico.
“The instruction provided at Philmont has previously been available to only a limited number of stake leaders who are able to attend the conference. This instruction is available through regular priesthood channels and at APtraining.lds.org. This adjustment will also eliminate church costs and personal travel associated with attendance at the Philmont Scout Ranch.”The reasoning makes perfect sense.
However, given what has happened over the past year, where the Church will no longer use Scouting for the older boys and the changes within Scouting (such as allowing transgender youth), I can't help but see this as a step which will make an eventual full withdrawal less painful.
I don't think any of the Church leaders are planning on a withdrawal, although some may see it as a future possibility. Knowing that the Lord leads his Church through his prophets, and this decision probably was made with unanimous support from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, it would make sense that if the Church will eventually withdraw from Scouting it should be making steps to ease that process.
Not having this annual training conference at Philmont seems to cut another tie between the Church and Scouting.
It will be interesting to see what unfolds over the next year.
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