A good turn daily
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CIMARRON, NEW MEXICO
As one of seven chaplains assigned each summer to the massive Philmont Scout Ranch, Elder David A. Wilson has little trouble fulfilling Scouting's challenge to "do a good turn daily."
Elder Wilson and his colleagues are charged with providing spiritual support to the some 22,000 Scouts from across the globe who visit Philmont each year — along with the ranch's 1,100 employees.
It's a job the Orem, Utah, resident with the distinctive wide-brimmed straw hat has performed honorably for the past eight years. "And I hope to continue for the next 30 years," he said.
Counted among the thousands of boys who find adventure and learning each summer at Philmont are many Church members. But many more are not. No matter. Elder Wilson offers a willing ear and loving counsel to boys of all religious backgrounds. His efforts recently earned him the St. George emblem — an award presented to members of the laity and clergy "who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth through Scouting."
His friend and fellow Philmont chaplain, Father Raymond L. Fecteau, a Catholic priest and national chaplain for the Catholic Church's National Committee on Scouting, nominated Elder Wilson for the award.
Father Fecteau told the Church News that Elder Wilson faithfully maintains "the delicate balance" required of Philmont chaplains to provide non-denominational spiritual support to all Scouts — while simultaneously offering whatever resources are needed for Scouts to participate in their own religious traditions.
"We have great mutual respect for one another," he said.
Although he's a lifelong member and a longtime Scouter, Elder Wilson never considered serving as an LDS Philmont chaplain before receiving a phone call some eight years ago from Elder F. Melvin Hammond of the Seventy, who was then serving as the Young Men general president.
In a subsequent meeting, Elder Hammond educated Elder Wilson on Philmont's rich Church history and issued a mission call to be a ranch chaplain. That call was readily accepted and Elder Wilson and his wife, Charlene Wilson, have been recognizable faces at the ranch ever since.
"The biggest thing we do as a Philmont chaplaincy is to act as a ministry of presence," he said.
Scouts and Philmont staffers seeking spiritual guidance to the many life-altering decisions they are making often seek out Elder Wilson and the other chaplains. "We make ourselves available to everyone."
Elder Wilson also serves LDS Scouts hiking the Philmont back country by providing sacrament services seven days a week in the ranch chapel. The trekkers might be at camp headquarters for only one day of the week, so Elder Wilson is authorized to preside at sacrament services at any time.
He reminds the Scouts to pray often, look for daily miracles during their Philmont experience and record those observations in their journals.
The Wilsons said Scouters of all backgrounds visiting Philmont respect the Church.
"We like the people we meet here," said Sister Wilson. "People who are involved in Scouting are good people. We share their values."
Elder and Sister Wilson have six children and eight grandchildren.
