February is "Scout Month" — an opportune time for Aaronic Priesthood-age boys, their parents and their leaders to remember Scouting's essential role as a preparatory activity program for future missionaries.

Church leaders have long spoken of the relevance Scouting continues to play in the lives of young men in the Church. The principles embraced by the youngest Cub Scout to a Venturer finishing his final year of high school also double as life-building tools that can help prepare a young man for mission field success. In his April 1986 general conference address, President Ezra Taft Benson said a young man who earns his Eagle Scout — in conjunction with the Duty to God Award and a seminary graduation certificate — is "a young man who can perform miracles for the Lord in the mission field and throughout his life."

Scouting's role to better prepare young men for missions does not end with the Eagle Award. The Varsity Scouts and Venturing programs allow older Aaronic Priesthood holders to develop leadership skills that can serve them well in future missionary service.

By accepting the Scout Oath penned decades ago, a young man promises to "do my duty to God" and to "help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight."

Such a promise serves as an ideal recipe for successful missionary labor.

Before an audience of priesthood holders in October of 1993, President Thomas S. Monson declared his belief in the preparatory value of Scouting. "I am pleased to stand firm for an organization that teaches duty to God and country, that embraces the Scout Law. Yes, an organization whose motto is 'Be prepared' and whose slogan is 'Do a good turn daily.'

"The Aaronic Priesthood prepares boys for manhood and the weightier duties of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Scouting helps our boys to walk uprightly the priesthood path to exaltation."

(Note: Following is the text of the graphic printed in the Church News.)

How does Scouting support the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood and help young men become better missionaries?

PRIMARY — CUB SCOUTS

12 Core Values:

1. Citizenship. Contributing service and showing responsibility to our communities.

2. Compassion: Being kind and considerate and showing concern for the well-being of others.

3. Cooperation: Being helpful and working together with others toward a common goal.

4. Courage: Being brave and doing what is right regardless of our fears or the consequences.

5. Faith: Having inner strength and confidence based on our trust in God.

6. Health and Fitness: Keeping our minds and bodies clean and fit.

7. Honesty: Telling the truth and being worth of trust.

8. Perseverance: Sticking with something and not giving up, even if it is difficult.

9. Positive Attitude: Being cheerful and looking for and finding the best in all situations.

10. Resourcefulness: Using human and other resources to their fullest.

11. Respect: Showing regard for the worth of something or someone.

12. Responsibility: Fulfilling our duty to God. country, other people and ourselves.

I promise to do my best to my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the Law of the Pack.

DEACON — BOY SCOUTS

Aims of Scouting

Character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness are the Aims of Scouting. Scouts who follow these Aims:

1. Develop self-reliance, as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness.

2. Learn values based on religious concepts.

3. Serve others and develop the desire and the skills to do so effectively.

4. Learn citizenship by understanding the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems. They are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation's role in the world.

5. Learn respect for others and for the basic rights of all people.

6. Develop leadership skills and prepare to participate in and give leadership to American society.

On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

TEACHER — VARSITY SCOUTS

Fields of Emphasis

1. Personal Development

Promotes growth through spirituality, leadership abilities, citizenship, social and cultural attributes, and physical fitness.

2. Service

Should become a constant ingredient in a Varsity Scout's daily experience. Projects are conceived, planned, and carried out by individual Varsity Scouts or the Varsity Scout team.

3. Advancement

The same advancement program as Boy Scouts. Varsity Scouts can also receive the recognitions offered through such programs as the Varsity Letter and Denali Award.

4. High Adventure and Sports

Supported by 27 program features.

5. Special Programs and Events

On district, council. regional, and national levels.

As a Varsity Scout, I will: Live by the Scout Oath (or Promise), Law, motto, and slogan; honor the dignity and worth of all persons; promote the cause of freedom; and do my best to be a good team member.

PRIEST — VENTURING-BSA

Goals of Venturing

1. Values

Young men will learn to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values in the Venturing Oath and Code.

2. Group Activities

Young men will experience a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure.

3. Teaching Others

Young men will teach skills and values to others.

4. Recognition and Advancement

Young men will acquire skills in the areas of high adventure, sports, arts and hobbies, and religious life. This includes the Trail to Eagle and Venturing Advancement.

5. Leadership Experience

Young men will experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and be given opportunities to take on leadership roles.

6. Adult Association

Young men will have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment. While youth lead the crew, adults provide "shadow leadership" support.

As a Venturer, I promise to do my duty to God and help strengthen American, to help others, and to seek truth, fairness, and adventure in our world.