Speaking of the Lamanites, the prophet Alma said, “it is because of the traditions of their fathers that caused them to remain in their state of ignorance” (Alma 9:16).

Some Young Men adult leaders unknowingly create and foster traditions that are destructive to our youth. Many Aaronic Priesthood leaders have never witnessed a properly functioning Scouting unit or priesthood quorum. Consequently, when called to serve in the Young Men, they tend to run the program similarly to what they experienced as a young man or as they’ve seen other adult leaders do. Without intending to do so, they carry bad traditions to the next generation.

Ineffective traditions include not letting the boys lead, overly focusing on rank advancement rather than bringing young men to Christ, merely having fun (rather than having a clear purpose to the activity), starting Mutual night late with a disorganized agenda, playing basketball or soccer because nothing else is planned, not scheduling (or canceling) outdoor activities, and not following the prescribed lesson plans for quorum instruction. Destructive traditions also include leaders who approach their calling casually, fail to be trained, refuse to attend roundtable, or those who don’t promote Scouting activities because they don’t like Scouting.

A young man’s perception of the Scouting and priesthood programs will be etched into his mind by how you fulfill your calling. If you don’t take your priesthood calling seriously, your boys won’t either. If you are not prepared, you don’t have a plan or purpose, or you are shooting from the hip each week, the boys may also have a lackadaisical view of their church activity and shirk their priesthood duties. If you don’t like Scouting, your boys will follow your lead and believe Scouting activities are a foolish waste of time.

I plead with you to pray for a vision of how the Lord wants you to carry out His work. You may have to break down the traditions of the past and pioneer new ways as you fulfill your calling. You may need to change your attitude toward the boys, your opinion about Scouting, or the amount of energy and effort you expend in your calling.

I testify to you that everything within the Aaronic Priesthood and Scouting programs has been exquisitely designed to help you teach your boys how to become wonderful missionaries, husbands, fathers, and priesthood leaders. When you gain a testimony of this, and act accordingly, you then will be able to model priesthood righteousness for your boys.

Take a Moment to Reflect

Are you perpetuating any destructive traditions in the way you serve in your Young Men calling?

Have you gained a testimony of both the Aaronic Priesthood and Scouting programs?

Have you been trained in Scouting and do you regularly attend roundtable meetings?

Do you use the scriptures, Come Follow Me lessons, and the Boy Scout Handbook (or team and crew handbooks) as your texts from which to teach the boys?

Do you model the attitude and behaviors toward Scouting and the priesthood you wish your boys to emulate?

Turn Your Reflection Into Action

What will you start doing, stop doing, or do better as a result of your reflection?

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. . . Then will I teach [the young men] thy ways; and [my boys] shall be converted unto thee.” (Psalms 51: 10, 13).

-Mac McIntire is a dedicated Scouter who has blessed many lives through his service and acute understanding of the Scouting program. He currently lives in Evanston, Wyoming.