President Monson Honors Scouts, Receives Scout Honor

The spirit of Scouting is alive and well, President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, told a gathering of 1,000 Eagle Scouts and their parents and Scout leaders in April.

“Here you see a monument in these Eagle Scouts, a monument which bespeaks patience, endurance, encouragement, and accomplishment,” he said at an annual breakfast sponsored by the Great Salt Lake Scout Council to honor those who had recently earned their Eagle Award. The event was held in Sandy, Utah.

Calling the Eagle Scouts “true champions,” President Monson said: “You truly give, for you give of yourselves. And when you do, you give to God.” The Church leader also praised Scoutmasters for their efforts in teaching and mentoring young men.

In turn, the Scout council honored President Monson by presenting him with its annual America’s Champion Award for being a “wonderful Scouter and champion of youth.” President Monson has served on the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) since 1969. He is the recipient of BSA’s Silver Beaver and Silver Buffalo Awards and international Scouting’s highest award, the Bronze Wolf.

President Monson greets a Scout at a meeting honoring the Church leader and new Eagle Scouts. (Photo by Tom Smart, Deseret News.)