The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

**The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints** (known as the **LDS Church** or, informally, the **Mormon Church**) is a Christian restorationist church that is considered by its members to be the restoration of the original church]] founded by Jesus Christ. The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has established congregations and built temples worldwide. It has a worldwide membership of nearly 16 million.

## Scouting History

For many decades the partnership between **The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints** and Boy Scouts of America developed some of the best scouting programs, facilities and leaders in the state of Utah. Although that partnership ended at the end of 2019, many LDS families remained in the scouting program. They organized new scout troops and cub packs, formed new community partnerships and now invited both boys and girls to participate. The end result significantly boosted the quality of the program for the participating youth, enjoying the benefits of trained leaders who are experts in the program and some of the best mountain wilderness camps in the country.

Scouting still remains the premier youth development program in the country with many benefits that last a lifetime.

* **BSA Crossroads of the West Council (AKA: UtahScouts.org)** - Questions and news on scouting operations throughout Utah, including how to organize a new scout unit.
* **BeAScout.org** - Find an existing BSA scouting unit in your community.

## Overview

 File:SaltLakeTemple2017.jpg
According to the church, it has over 70,000 missionaries Many of these missionaries are young men who have completed some level of scouting experience and they rely heavily on the skills learned there to serve and to succeed in the mission field.

The church is ranked by the National Council of Churches as the fourth-largest Christian denomination in the United States. It is the largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement founded by Joseph Smith during the period of religious revival known as the Second Great Awakening.

Adherents, often referred to as "Latter-day Saints" or, less formally, "Mormons", view faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement as fundamental principles of their religion. LDS theology includes the Christian doctrine of salvation only through Jesus Christ, though LDS doctrines regarding the nature of God and the potential of mankind differ significantly from mainstream Christianity. The church has an open canon which includes four scriptural texts: the Bible (both Old and New Testaments), the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Other than the Bible, the majority of the LDS canon constitutes revelation received by Joseph Smith and recorded by his scribes which includes commentary and exegesis about the Bible, texts described as lost parts of the Bible, and other works believed to be written by ancient prophets. Because of some of the doctrinal differences, some Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches consider the LDS Church to be distinct and separate from mainstream Christianity.

Under the doctrine of continuing revelation, Latter-day Saints believe that the church president is a modern-day "prophet, seer, and revelator" and that Jesus Christ, under the direction of God the Father, leads the church by revealing his will to its president. The current president is Thomas S. Monson. Individual members of the church believe that they can also receive personal revelation from God in conducting their lives. The president heads a hierarchical structure with various levels reaching down to local congregations. Bishops, drawn from the laity, lead local congregations. Male members, after reaching age 12, may be ordained to the priesthood, provided they are living the standards of the church. Women do not hold positions within the priesthood, but do occupy leadership roles in some church auxiliary organizations.

Both men and women may serve as missionaries, and the church maintains a large missionary program that proselytizes and conducts humanitarian services worldwide. Faithful members adhere to church laws of sexual purity, health, fasting, and Sabbath observance, and contribute ten percent of their income to the church in tithing. In addition, the church teaches sacred ordinances through which adherents make covenants with God, including baptism, confirmation, the sacrament (holy communion), priesthood ordination, endowment, and celestial marriage (marriage blessings which extend beyond mortality)—all of which are of great significance to church members.

## Child and Youth Initiative

The initiative will provide children, youth, families, and leaders personalized opportunities to grow spiritually, socially, physically and intellectually through activities, service, gospel learning, and goal-setting, according a senior leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

* Church Youth program overview

## See Also

* 08 Feb 2020 : **Vanguard Scouting Program Launch Date** - A new organization of LDS Scouters launches group to continue working with Scouting organizations around the world to build bridges of faith. This date coincides with the 110th Anniversary of the charter of the Boy Scouts of America.
* ChurchofJesusChrist.org - official website of the church
* ComeUntoChrist.org - Learn more about the church
* MormonWikia.org -
* Malachi's Challenge = The True Test of Religion

## References

1. ↑ Mormon Merit Badges MainTour 27-Nov-2017
2. ↑ "2016 Statistical Report for 2017 April Conference", *Mormon Newsroom*, April 1, 2017.
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4. ↑ Template:Harvnb "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."
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6. ↑ "For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ." Book of Mormon, Template:Lds
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