The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Thursday weighed in on the Boy Scouts of America’s recent efforts to address its longstanding ban on gay members, applauding the group for making “a thoughtful, good-faith effort.”
Last week, the Boy Scouts proposed allowing gay youths to join the organization, but not gay adults. The group has been considering its gay ban for months.
On Thursday, the Mormon Church appeared to sign off on the proposal, saying it “constructively addresses a number of important issues that have been part of the ongoing dialogue.” According to NBC News, the Mormon Church ranks at the top of the Boy Scouts’ membership enrollment with 431,000 youths participating in the organization at the end of last year.
The church’s statement:
“Over the past several weeks BSA has undertaken the difficult task of reviewing its membership standards policy. In their own words, this undertaking has been ‘the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history.’
“While the Church has not launched any campaign either to effect or prevent a policy change, we have followed the discussion and are satisfied that BSA has made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues that, as they have said, remain ‘among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.’
“The current BSA proposal constructively addresses a number of important issues that have been part of the ongoing dialogue, including consistent standards for all BSA partners, recognition that Scouting exists to serve and benefit youth rather than Scout leaders, a single standard of moral purity for youth in the program, and a renewed emphasis for Scouts to honor their duty to God.
“We are grateful to BSA for their careful consideration of these issues. We appreciate the positive things contained in this current proposal that will help build and strengthen the moral character and leadership skills of youth as we work together in the future.”
