On My Honor: A Guide to Scouting in the Church

by Thane J. Packer

On My Honor explores the importance of Scouting as a program in the LDS Church and is certain to become a valuable resource for anyone involved in the Boy Scouts of America This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570084394
• ISBN13: 9781570084393
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Bookcraft
• Length: 105 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Fantastic book for LDS members

This book fully explains the vision that the LDS church chose the Boy Scouts of America to fulfill. This book is a must-have for any church leader confused about the role that Scouting fills in our young men's lives, and will be beneficial to any LDS scouting leader. Thane Packer spent most of his professional career in Scouting, including as a Scout Executive for the Cache Valley Council. He was later invited to serve as chairman of the Department of Scouting Education, which became the Department of Youth Leadership. EXCERPT: "It ... became clear to me that if Scouting was to play the role for which it was designed by the Boy Scouts of America, authoritative encouragement by leaders of the LDS Church was not enough. The purposes and methods of Scouting had to be clearly understood and vigorously promoted by ward administrators. Parents needed a thorough introduction and a clear understanding of how Scouting was to supplement the activities of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums. Boys needed vigorous exposure to Scouting's peer togetherness, its patriotic flavor, and the fun of adventure, particularly outdoor adventure. Above all, everyone needed to understand Scouting's invitation to spiritual development as contained in the Scout Oath, Scout Law, slogan, and motto. It was my conviction that these ideals could not be presented to boys properly by following the practices favoring classroom teaching. Rather, they needed to be presented to boys through an Aaronic Priesthood laboratory closely monitored by skilled and trained quorum advisers acting as lab instructors and occurring at times other than on Sunday." - On My Honor, Introduction, page x.

on my honor, a guide to scouting in the church

I have been a scout master and not a very good one. I was not a high achiever in Scouting. After being called to serve as a bishop I got this book and read it. I wish I had read the book long ago. It is a great help. I recommend it especially for those who are not avid and accomplished scouters. The link between scouting and the priesthood is explained and was very welcome to me. I have purchased 4 copies for my counselors and other good leaders that are not sufficiently informed about scouting.

Why is Scouting used as the YM activity?

I have read this book several times and have bought copies as gifts for Scoutmasters, YM Presidents & Bishops. It clarifies why we use scouting and how it prepares a young men to serve successful missions. I have also loaned out my copy to friends. I think that this should be required reading for parents of Young Men and anyone else in the Ward.