LDS Church parting ways with some scouting programs

The Mormon church announced today it is no longer participating in two Boy Scouts of America programs for older teenagers.

Even without the involvement of older Mormon youths in Boy Scouts, there will still be more than 2 million Boy Scouts in the United States.

The Boy Scouts began admitting gay Scouts in 2013 and transgender youth this year. "If our Boy Scouts is only for boys in America, what are we doing for the rest of the world?"

Church spokesmen in Idaho Falls and Salt Lake City referred reporters to a news release on the decision, declining further comment or an interview. These programs are for Boy Scouts between the ages of 14 and 18.

The Varsity and Venture programs have always been optional to the church.

"Church leaders said the change was not influenced by recent Boy Scout policies to accept gay troop leaders, transgender youth and young girls", NBC News reports.

And the older youths, the church notes, will continue to be "registered, supported and encouraged" if they desire to earn merit badges and Eagle Scout awards.

If the church were to completely sever ties with BSA in the future that would have a serious impact on the organization. "Varsity and Venturing programs have been hard to run effectively on a local level".

Effie Delimarkos, a spokeswoman for Boy Scouts of America, told The Washington Post that the BSA is saddened by the decision, since 20 percent of the Boy Scouts are of the Mormon faith.

The Boy Scouts of America said in a statement that it appreciates its relationship with the LDS church and it is up to the church to decide which programs meet its needs. "This change is to address the needs of young men ages 14 to 18 who have not had an effective program". Should the church ever completely pull out of scouting, Farrer says the effect would be "devastating" and the council would lose an estimated 20,000 boys. The Church is always evaluating what is best for our youth and families, and will continue to do so.

In a statement, the church said the new program will be tailored to foster Mormon teenagers' "spiritual, social, physical and intellectual" development.

Guy Aydelotte, who grew up in Boise, said that as a Mormon teen, there was already less emphasis on Boy Scouts after he turned 14.

He said "time and money" was being spent on activities that did not engage the Mormon scouts. The LDS church reacted immediately with a statement that it was "deeply troubled" and that "the century-long association with Scouting will need to be examined".

Despite predictions that religious organizations would flee the Scouts after allowing gay members, the Associated Press says, "The vast majority of troops affiliated with conservative religious denominations have remained in the fold, still free to exclude gay adults".