Boy, Do we need Scouting

Keynote Address

Brandon Hamblin, Grant Grismore Eagle Court of Honor September 29 2005

I recall an advertisement on TV some years back where a group of young hoodlums where beating the snot out of a poor hapless fellow – other than the sounds of scuffle and the pained gasps of the victim, nothing was said during the mugging. Then slowly, as the gang ran off, the camera pans out with the man slumping to the ground. The expanded view reveals a billboard above the chain-link fence promoting Scouting. A voice breaks in and intones simply, “Boy Do we need Scouting!”

 

We live in a world adrift tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.  We, the faithful, survive amongst a nation and world turned to fables - led by a compass spun about by the uncertain winds of popular opinions rather than the true and abiding light of the one true God. The Scout badge embodies the search for and guidance of a certain star – Two stars for an eagle’s crown symbolize a certain truth proceeding only from a light above.  At night Scouts gather close when deep amber warms body and soul not detracting but embracing the canopy of our Lord’s heavens above. Like the mariners unerring stars, Scouts learn it is His light of certain truth the people must seek.

 

Anciently, in Egypt and Babylon, to slake their lusts, people made obeisance to animal gods fashioned of stone and even tore the suckling child from their mother’s arms to be burnt of Baal.  Has man changed so much in all these years or have the heathens of today again turned their worship of God to make idols of His creations; to adore and safe their cats and dogs, seals and porpoises more than even their own offspring whom they sacrifice on surgical alters behind closed doors. Have we indeed changed so much from that fateful day when Lot led his family forth from Sodom?

 

Do we look with longing, like Lot’s hapless wife Sarah, to blend with the world until, like a chameleon, we cannot be distinguished there from or will we walk boldly forth with message and purpose and stand distinctly, even stridently for something? I’m here to tell you ... Boy Scouts stands for something and real Scouts stand out and lead.  They will be the “bulwark of righteousness” the Prophet Joseph spoke of.  Joseph Smith surely prophesied of our day and was recorded in one journal to say, "Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground; and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean; and they shall bear the constitution away from the very verge of destruction.”

 

The process that makes Eagles makes those Godly men.

Indeed, the same process that brings a boy to the rank of Eagle, builds the spiritual basis for a lifelong devotion to God.  Scouting is the very embodiment of priesthood principles. It is the Saviors guidelines to life condensed to a few phases that the boys can memorize.  It is the Zion’s Camp for refining the Lords youth.

 

I wish to share a few of our journeys together where boys became these men and saints.

 

As a young Scout leader I met one Kendal Gilbert. He was a strapping, but quiet young man who only occasionally came to Varsity Scouts; he seemed distrustful and jaded. I promised him adventure - we would not cancel out – so he came. I soon asked the group to accept him as Captain and on one afternoon he led his team up a 10,000-foot peak near Yosemite. Problem was we had a couple of more heavyset youth that while able, could not hold the strident pace. Kendal advanced well above his team and his team began to loose heart. I had the rest of the team rest and I whistled Kendal to hold up. We talked about the Saviors love for each of us with our several abilities and how he gives us opportunities to in turn reach out in care for others, not out of pity, but out of the flowering of genuine God like love for a brother. We held up there a bit as the rest of the crew caught up and proceeded happily together without further discussion.

 

About a year later, I recorded this journal entry from a 50 mile backpacking trip In the Sierras Emigrant Wilderness “4:30AM came way too quick as a few of the brothers rustled up a hardy breakfast.  With so much goings on and only 2 hours sleep, I was unable to eat but 1 hot cake before heading out to assist in the loading of gear.  Somehow I shouldered the pack, but I was absolutely dead to the world from lack of sleep and little food. With tent poles and climbing gear, my pack was over 60 lbs and I only weighed in at 135. All the lifesavers I could suck on could only sustain the climb for more than about a half-mile.  To their credit and my gratitude, without being asked, Kendal, Matt, and Steve redistributed my load amongst themselves and quite lightened, I was able to make good progress with my entourage of young bucks. This was the 1st time I ever had to look to the next generation for support. I did so with warm feelings for my young charges as the rallied to my case.  At around 11am, quite famished, I persuaded the group to an early lunch at Camp Lake. Trail mix never tasted so good  I learned about Brotherhood alongside Kendal Gilbert

 

 

Kendal tracked me down to my new home in Fall City some years later just before departing on a Church Mission and recounted how some of these Scout experiences had changed his life and taught him how to see and even feel the guiding light of Christ.

 

I am reminded of lessons in bravery taught to me by one Aaron Fuller. Now Aaron and I share something in common in our respective pasts; we were both unreasonably fearful of heights; it’s called acrophobia.  Wanting to overcome this I took a challenge some years ago to learn rock climbing. So, when I met Aaron and began training his team for an upcoming climb and rappel, I was in a position to understand. He was petrified to climb even a few feet, yet we climbed that ladder together to the top of this sealing.  When it came time for his turn at a real 80 foot rappel, we had a chance to talk about the soul of man and the importance of mastery; the spirit over the flesh. I said, “Bravery did not mean you were not scared, bravery, in fact, is doing what you must do even when you are scared.” He stepped off the perfectly solid ground and conquered - twice in fact, to prove to himself that he was the master.

 

On a recent trip to the slot canyons of southern Utah, we took lunch at a favorite cliff jumping spot well populated with fellow hikers of all ages. Suddenly a very brazen lady stripped off all of an already skimpy outfit and dove in. My companions saw the spectacle and warned I averted my eyes for some minutes for her to get out and re-clothe. I finished my lunch and then glanced back to the cliff and well - there she was. Do you cause a confrontation with her? and possibly her biker buddies? or hold your head down and try to convince and rationalize to yourself that tolerance is some kind of supreme virtue. Frankly, I was afraid. This was my own 1st rappel all over again at Goat Rock. It was Aaron’s ladder. I could hear my own words echo, “Bravery, in fact, is doing what you must do even when you are scared.” My conscience stung until finally I flung hesitation to the reeds and commanded, ”Put some clothes back on!” She did and in a few minutes we and others all amicably enjoying the jumping and refreshing water.  My fears were in fact more conjured than real. Regardless, even as an adult, I had still to learn the 10th Scout Law.

 

 

 

When I hear Paul’s language about Charity - the pure love of Christ, I translate Helpful, Friendly Courteous and Kind. The actions of Grant, Danny, and Jordon inspired this journal entry from when our Varsity team climbed Mt Olympus,

“The next day was 9 miles and 2500 feet of elevation gain.  We got in 5 miles and suddenly Mark near collapsed from fatigue as multiple muscle systems began to cramp up. He had had almost zero sleep the previous day and then when we lifted his pack off him we found out he was packing far more than his fair allotment of weight – perhaps trying to help lighten the load from his girls.  It was really heartwarming to watch how the young men rallied to the need willingly offloading heavy items to their own packs. Then his two daughters said almost in unison, “Ill take some weight Daddy.” Jordon massaged his legs as we took even more of his weight and we scavenged all the banana chips we could from the gorp to help boost his potassium level. With all the climbing gear, our packs were nearing 40% body weight, to begin with so this was pretty taxing, but our bodies all held up to the task.”

 

 

Last year the crew planned a 50 miler from Snoqualmie Pass to Goldemyer Hot Spring. The 1st day is a real grind with our packs the heaviest and a long relentless grade to the exposed catwalk at the top.  Somewhere near the top Brother Patteson became suddenly acutely ill.  Now understand that Phil is Paul Bunion the unstoppable. But dead stopped he was. He was shaking, pale and all the strength had gone out to be replaced by dismal nausea. We came to understand later that both he and his wife had both eaten tainted food at a restaurant. We Elders laid our hands on his head and the newest elder, my son Jordon, spoke for the Lord a blessing.  As soon as we said “Amen,” one of the young Scouts said, “we should all pray” and so that’s exactly what we did; one at a time until all had petitioned God. Phil told me that no sooner had the last boy prayed that the pain in his stomach stopped and in a few minute we proceeded up the rest of the grade with no further trouble. A scout is Reverent.

 

Brothers & Sisters, my friends and you young folks, if your life is too busy for scouts, then you are too busy with counterfeits. Scouting is not just an activity that LDS picky diners can take or leave at the whims of the soccer league, it is part of your religion and any coach worth his salt would respect that.  Like the Lords Tithing or missionary service, it is no real sacrifice to puts Gods squad first because he will make up the difference in blessings and growth that you cannot anticipate. 

 



 

Only those who have been to the top of the mountain can appreciate fully the benefits of the climb. So too, only those who follow the prophet will even know why I am so emphatic about your participation in Scouting.

 

Look around you! Our Prophet has told us that our society is falling apart and the moral depravity is worse than even in the time of Sodom and Gomorra. I'm not saying to retrench entirely from the world. My own children engaged, to a point, with community activities. Baseball, football, etc. can be plenty of fun not taken to excess, but   it does not rise   to a need and for all it may offer it will not buy you what the currency from Zion’s camp would tender. 

 

Truly, in these times like no other “our society…Our Boys, need Scouting.”

 

(By Steve Marquis)