The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Wednesday they will continue their relationship with the Boy Scouts of America despite a recent decision to allow gay individuals to serve in leadership positions.
A statement read:
“At this time, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will go forward as a chartering organization of the Boy Scouts of America, and as in the past, will appoint the Scout leaders and volunteers who uphold and exemplify Church doctrine, values, and standards.”
The BSA'spolicy change announced in July led LDS church leaders to reconsider their relationship with the organization. The BSAcurriculumhas been a strong component of the LDS church'syoung men youth program since 1913. BSA and other youth leaders within the Mormon faith are required to meet certain standards before being allowed to serve. Those requirements include abstaining from or participating in homosexual activities.
Before releasing this most recent statement Mormon church leaders deliberated for a month on whether or not to accept the new policy, saying the opportunity for gay leaders to serve among youth was troubling.
Cameron Morris is a father of two scouts. He is relieved to hear leaders of his faith have decided to continue working with the BSA.
“I am also a scoutmaster and I just got released on Sunday but I’m helping the new guy," Morris said. "There is some anxiety {about} what should we plan for and not having a sure future for our scouts, but now we know.”
Morris’ opinion is not popular among most Utah LDS members. A recent poll published by Dan Jones and Associates reveals 63 percent of LDS members who consider themselves active agreed the LDS church should leave the BSA and form a separate organization.
Zach Wahls is with the organization Scouts for Equality. He says his organization supports the LDS church’s decision.
“We’re very heartened by the fact that 400,000 plus Mormon youth will be able to continue to benefit from the positive aspects of what scouting has to offer," he said. "Hopefully, after spending time with gay adult leaders members will see that they have nothing to fear from allowing gay adults.”
The LDS church is the largest BSA sponsor with 437,000 members.