Kirk had a "Scouting" meeting tonight that spouses were invited to attend.
I have never been a big Scouting fan. I know that it is a good program and I know that it can help our boys become better young men if they have good leaders and want to be part of the program.
So, I wasn't jumping to go to the meeting, but a free meal was involved and Morey's was catering it so I knew dinner would be good.
The meeting was being held at our LDS Stake Center.
This would be the first night of the "scouting" meetings called
"Little Philmont", tomorrow Kirk would attend more meetings and classes.
After dinner, we were invited into the chapel where Brother Allen, our Area Authority welcomed us to the night's meeting.
Our Stake Presidency spoke on
the DUTY TO GOD.
As I listened I soon realized this was not going to be a "what I thought scouting was" meeting.
They spoke on how important the activities are that our young men do.
That they learn what their duties are in the Aaronic Priesthood.
What I was being taught was what Young Men's/Scouting was really suppose to be all about.
LEARN, ACT, SHARE
Our concluding speaker was this man
do you recognize him?
OK
Here is your last clue.
LDS Young Men General Presidency
Yes, it is Brother David L. Beck,
the President of the Young Men of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints
He is who introduced the Duty to God Program
and also helped introduce the New Youth Curriculum for 2013.
Brother Beck discussed how these programs would help to prepare the young men of our church to be good men, sons, fathers, husbands and missionaries.
When he was finished he asked for a couple of men and women to come up and express their thoughts on what he had spoke about.
After waiting WAY to long for someone to go up and Brother Beck promising blessings to those who would come to the front. I stood up and said, "Well, I need blessings".
I took a moment and shared my thoughts on how important I feel it is that our youth have a journal to write what they are learning/teaching on Sunday in YM/YW and Sunday School and to...
THINK, WRITE, SHARE
as Brother Tracy King had shared in his talk.
I spoke to Brother Beck like I had known him for years.
Thanked him and went and set down.
About oh.... a minute later I was like...
HOLY COW!!!!!!
I was just standing up there speaking to a General Authority and
WHAT!!!! What was I thinking???!!!!
The evening was really nice.
Especially when Brother Beck said,
"Let our youth rise up!"
The Lord trusts them, now we need to help them fulfill their responsibility.
He closed with...
"The Lord of the Vineyard is here and he wants to help."
you could have heard a pin drop.
Josh received his Duty to God , but not his Eagle...that is a LONG 'ol story that is best left alone.
Derek received his Duty to God, and earned his life in scouting.
In a way it has always bothered me that they didn't have their Eagles, especially Josh.
But, after tonight...
I am very proud of my boys for earning their
Duty to God Awards.
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| http://ldsbsa.org/ |
Quoting Thomas S. Monson:
“The Aaronic Priesthood prepares boys
for manhood and the weightier duties of
the Melchizedek Priesthood. Scouting helps
our boys to walk uprightly the priesthood
path to exaltation . . .
To all the Aaronic Priesthood with your
fathers and your leaders, the priesthood
program of the Church, with its
accompanying activities, including
Scouting, will help and not hinder you as
you journey through life.”
“Much has been said in the media of late regarding Scouting. Let
me affirm that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has
not diminished in any way its support of the Scouting movement. . . .
. . if ever there were a time when the principles of Scouting were
vitally needed—that time is now. If ever there were a generation who
would benefit by keeping physically strong, mentally awake, and
morally straight—that generation is the present generation."
