Top officials of Boy Scouts of America, including the chief Scout executive, paid a courtesy call to Church leaders Oct. 30 to meet the new Young Men general presidency and to reaffirm the partnership between the Church and Scouting.

President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, hosted a luncheon for the nation's top Scouter, Ben H. Love, and BSA Director of Public Affairs, Julian Dyke. The luncheon was attended by Church leaders with responsibilities for different aspects of the Scouting program.President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, also attended and recalled how his father, Bryant S. Hinckley, paid a visit to the national Scout headquarters in the early 1900s with two other Church leaders to inquire about incorporating Scouting into the Aaronic Priesthood activity program. They returned to Salt Lake City and made a positive recommendation to Church leaders, and the partnership formed in 1913 continues strong today, according to President Monson, who also serves on the BSA National Executive Board.

"President Hinckley and I reaffirmed the position of the Church as solidly behind the relationship we have with Boy Scouts of America," President Monson noted. "I think the fact that the local unit budget program includes such items as Scout dues, the ongoing registration for boys and leaders in Scouting and some awards shows an affirmation for Scouting as part of the activity program of the Aaronic Priesthood."

President Monson pointed out that under the new budget program, friends of Scouting continue to contribute toward the Sustaining Membership Enrollment, and that boys can raise money for equipment and an annual council-sponsored camp or equivalent experience. He also encouraged that activities be conducted close to home. (See story below.)

With Elder Jack H. Goaslind being called to succeed Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone as Young Men general president at October general conference, Elder Goaslind also becomes chairman of the Church Scouting Committee. His counselors, Elder LeGrand R. Curtis and Elder Robert K. Dellenbach, also serve on that committee, explained President Monson.

"It was a good opportunity to get to know the new Young Men presidency and discuss how we can work together to make the Scouting experience more effective for young men in the Church," said Dyke.

Also attending the luncheon were members of the Priesthood Executive Council with responsibility for Scouting: These included Elder James E. Faust and Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Council of the Twelve, and Elder James M. Paramore of the Presidency of the Seventy.

The Primary general presidency, consisting of Michaelene P. Grassli, president, and counselors, Betty Jo N. Jepsen and Ruth B. Wright, were also present. They are responsible for Cub Scouting and the Blazer program in the Church.

"Ben Love complimented us by indicating that there is no partner in Scouting that supports the effort any more than does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," said President Monson. "He said that our numbers of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts and Explorers continue growing by leaps and bounds."

There are approximately 23,660 Scout units sponsored by the Church with 321,000 youth and 127,000 leaders.

The chief Scout executive reported to the group on several national issues, one being a lawsuit by atheistic parents who do not want their boy bound by the Scout oath, which includes a pledge of duty to God.

"Without duty to God, you don't have Scouting," Love emphasized. He expressed the determination of BSA to take the issue to the Supreme Court, if necessary.

Love also touched on the "unacceptables" of Scouting - hunger, drug abuse, child abuse, unemployment and illiteracy - and exchanged ideas with Church leaders on how Scouting in the Church helps young people and their leaders address those challenges.

He spoke of the upcoming Scouting for Food drive against hunger, which last year collected 72 million items. This year, Love said the expectation is that close to 100 million items can be gathered nationwide.

Finally, Love reported on his recent visit to the Soviet Union, where Scouting is being revived after being dormant since the 1917 revolution. And during the past year, Scouting has re-emerged in other Eastern Bloc countries.

"We were all interested when Ben said one Scouter brought out a 1916 edition of the Boy Scout Handbook which he had kept all through the years," said President Monson.

During the luncheon, Dyke expressed appreciation to Church leaders for their examples and influence on him and his family.

"There was a sweet, great spirit at the luncheon," he said afterward. "We felt privileged to be a part of it."