A Scout's Sabbath
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CIMARON, N.M.
On two occasions each year, stake leaders from across the United States gather and form a temporary yet remarkable ward under eastern New Mexico's vast turquoise sky.
These men come together here for the annual LDS Scouting Leadership Conference at the Philmont Scout Ranch. Their typical days at conference are filled with intensive training focused on building strong Aaronic Priesthood holders through the Scouting program.
But on Sunday, the Scout uniforms are left hanging inside the heavy-duty tents that the men and their families call home for their weeklong conference. The Sabbath Day at Philmont is about worship, fellowship and quiet moments with family.
With Young Men General President David L. Beck serving as this year's presiding priesthood leader, the "Philmont Ward" once again functioned as a traditional Church unit — complete with Primary classes, Young Men and Young Women lessons, gospel doctrine instruction and, of course, sacrament services. (This year's LDS Scouting Leadership Conference was held June 27-July 3, with a second session conducted July 4-July 10.)
The hundreds of stake and youth leaders who participated in the 2009 conference fulfilled Sabbath-Day callings that they were given prior to their arrival. It made for a fun and unusual Sunday. A stake president from, say, Portland, Ore., may have spent his Sabbath at Philmont teaching a CTR class.
Bryce Justeson, a high councilor from the Mesa North Arizona Stake, taught the Valiant 9 class July 5 while seated at a picnic table on the camp's Villa Lawn. He utilized small ropes as visual devices to teach his young students about the snares of breaking the Word of Wisdom.
"I enjoyed myself," he said. "The kids all participated and did great."
While Brother Justeson and others taught the children, fellow campers led priesthood discussions in the shadow of Philmont's Spanish tiled roofed villa. Meanwhile, the wives of conference participants taught and attended Relief Society in the camp's assembly hall.
Later, everyone gathered at the assembly hall for sacrament meeting. When the seats inside were filled, the congregation overflowed outside. The "outsiders" view of the meeting was limited — but they enjoyed a cool summer breeze as they listened to the counsel from inside.
In his remarks, Brother Beck spoke about the potential of all those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood. His counterpart Primary General President, Sister Cheryl C. Lant, emphasized the role of scriptures in raising strong families.
For stake leaders accustomed to spending Sundays away from home, Philmont offered a rare opportunity for them to spend the Sabbath with their families. After the Church meetings, some studied their scriptures outdoors while seated on collapsible camp chairs. Others enjoyed quiet walks with wives and children around the scenic grounds.
Not all at the LDS camps observed the Sabbath at Philmont's modern training facilities. Once again, older teens spent the week roughing it in the New Mexican backcountry on Philmont-led treks. So leaders such as Brother Beck and Sister Lant traveled to them, joining young men and women for outdoor sacrament services. The priests in the trek group were enlisted to bless and pass the sacrament. Other youth delivered impromptu talks and testimonies.
Brother Beck presided over one outdoor meeting organized under a clearing of arched trees. There he spoke of the role Christ plays in each of their lives. The young men and women were taught that they did not need to wait to be great in their talents and testimonies.
Trekker Parker Schneph, 17, of Mesa, Ariz., said partaking of the sacrament while surrounded by nature's beauty was a sacred, memorable experience. He was excited about the many opportunities Philmont provided.
"I want to have fun, make new friends and grow closer to God," he said.
