More than 3,000 Scouts, Scouters and visitors convened on a gentle hillside, set against a backdrop of towering green trees, for sacrament service at the national Scout jamboree on a warm Sunday morning, Aug. 8.
Elder Jack H Goaslind of the Seventy and Young Men general president presided and expressed his thrill at the "glorious sight" of seeing the Scouts in sacrament meeting."I want you to know how pleased and proud I am of each of you this morning," he told the Scouts. "I hope you will write this event in your journals and are keeping journals throughout the encampment. They will help you recall some wonderful memories and feelings."
Elder Stephen D. Nadauld of the Seventy, first counselor in the Young Men general presidency, conducted the service and also spoke. Youth speakers included John Bubb, a deacon from Dover, Pa., and priest Christopher Burgess from Kingston, N.Y. Music was provided by a special young men's choir under the direction of Arlo Luke of Pocatello, Idaho. The choir offered spirited, harmonious renditions of "I Am a Mormon Boy" and "Called to Serve."
Elder Goaslind recounted the six purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood, which are to help young men: become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live by its teachings; magnify priesthood callings; give meaningful service; prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood; commit to and serve an honorable full-time mission; and live worthy to receive temple covenants and prepare to become a worthy husband and father.
As he went through each point, he related experiences and counsel supporting each and tied them with the principles espoused by Scouting.
He told of being called as a General Authority by President Spencer W. Kimball and being asked: "Do you know the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?"
"I was glad to be able to tell him, Yes, President Kimball, I do.' May I ask each of you today,Do you know your Savior?' "
Elder Nadauld told the Scouts about an experience of watching his young son James play defensive halfback in a Little League football game. The opposing team ran a series of plays to try to draw him out of position. The son was wildly charging over to be involved in a tackle when his father yelled, "James, don't take the fake. Stay at home."
His son heard him and when the big play came, he was in position to make the tackle, said Elder Nadauld.
"When we look at you wonderful young men, we want to put our arms around each one of you and say to you, `Don't take the fake. Stay at home.' By stay at home . . . we mean to stay true to the wonderful teachings you are learning, to the values you are being taught.
"Our Heavenly Father has a great position He wants you to play. He has a great mission for you to perform here on earth. Don't you be faked out of position. Don't you be enticed by things that are artificial, that are phony, that are fake."
