Boy Scouts of America

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America for over 100 years. According to the Washington Post, almost 20% of all the Boy Scouts’ members belong to the Mormon Church. Boys in the Church automatically become part of the Boy Scouts or are strongly encouraged to join when they are of age.



Many of the LDS Church’s bishops and ward leaders lead Scout troops or actively volunteered in Scouting programs. Ward bishops even have the task of choosing and supervising Scout leaders in the LDS church. Numerous Scouting troops are sponsored by the LDS Church, as well.



However, claims assert that child sex abuse committed by both Mormon and non-Mormon Scoutmasters and/or volunteers was masked or not reported to the authorities. Allegedly, the Scouts and LDS Church focused on saving the face and reputation of both the BSA and the Mormon Church instead of protecting innocent youth from predators.

Because the Mormon Church and bishops are so involved within the Boy Scouts of America, LDS members who survived sexual abuse in Scouting say the Mormon Church is responsible for knowingly placing minors in danger of molesters and not reporting child sexual abuse to local authorities.