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SALT LAKE CITY — Scouting and President Thomas S. Monson. It's hard to mention one without mentioning the other.
Throughout his life, President Monson supported and emphasized the program. In "Run Boy Run," an address he gave in 1983 to members of the LDS faith, President Monson said "Scouting teaches boys how to live, not merely how to make a living."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1913 became the first sponsor of the Scouting program in the U.S.
Then-Elder Monson became a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America in 1969 and, at the time of his death, was the longest-serving member of that board.
He received some of the highest awards in Scouting: the Silver Beaver, Silver Buffalo, Silver Fox and Bronze Wolf awards.
In 2013, Scouting officials named a leadership training complex, located in the national Scout reserve in West Virginia, after President Monson. Among those adding their congratulations when this award was given was Tico Perez, former Boy Scouts of America national commissioner, who said President Monson's life "personifies the mission of Scouting every single day."
