The Young Men General Presidency gathered Feb. 2 with a group of venerable Church leaders who have, collectively, performed decades of service to bless and better the lives of the youth of the Church.
The historic luncheon included five emeritus General Authorities who have served as Young Men general presidents — Elder Robert L. Backman, Elder Vaughn J Featherstone, Elder Jack H Goaslind Jr., Elder Robert K. Dellenbach and Elder F. Melvin Hammond — along with a lifelong champion of Scouting and youth, President Thomas S. Monson.
Elder Ben B. Banks, an emeritus Seventy, also participated in the event that was hosted by Young Men General President Charles W. Dahlquist II and his two counselors, Dean R. Burgess and Michael A. Neider.
Entitled the "Legacy of Leadership Luncheon," the gathering provided a unique forum to discuss the challenges facing young men throughout the Church. The event was informal and warm-hearted — a collection of like-minded friends.
Much of the discussion focused on the ongoing relevance of Scouting in the Church and the importance of shepherding each boy.
The longest-tenured member of Scouting's National Executive Board, President Monson said he first pulled on a Boy Scout uniform when he was 12 years old. "I've been a Scouter ever since."
The Church president spoke of his esteem for the Boy Scouts of America leadership. He emphasized the importance of caring bishops and leaders in the lives of young people.
While serving as a young bishop, he noticed that one of his priests, Richard Casto, was missing from a Sunday priest quorum meeting. Told that Richard was working at a local garage, Bishop Monson excused himself from the meeting and drove to the garage. He found his missing charge working inside the garage's grease pit.
Bishop Monson heard Richard say from deep inside the pit, "You got me, bishop."
"I sure did," he answered. "Come out of that grease pit. I need to talk to you."
Bishop Monson then told Richard that he was needed in the quorum. That young man knew he was important to his Aaronic priesthood leader. Richard would go on to serve as a priesthood leader himself.
"Men who go after those who are in their charge will have success," said President Monson.
He shared simple counsel with his fellow youth leaders: "Don't give up."
Shepherding others, he added, blesses the lives of both the beneficiaries of service, and their benefactors. The call to serve youth "is never over," said President Monson.
He closed his comments by enlisting the familiar wish of Tiny Tim from the Dickens novel A Christmas Carol: "May God bless us, everyone."
Brother Dahlquist paid tribute to each of his predecessors, saying that he and his counselors had inherited a strong foundation fortified by President Monson and the former Young Men general presidents. Each had acted as a life preserver to the youth during perilous times.
He also spoke of the dual role of Scouting and the Aaronic Priesthood's "Duty to God" program. "Where Scouting is strong, Duty to God is strong," he said.
Brother Dahlquist asked each of the former youth leaders gathered around the table to share his thoughts and counsel. Elder Hammond commented on the challenges that he had observed facing young people during his recent tenure as president of the Washington D.C. Temple.
"The young people of Scout age have a lot of choices to make," he noted.
Their ability to make wise decisions can be greatly influenced by those called to serve them. "It all depends on the leaders," said Elder Hammond.
Elder Dellenbach reminded the Young Men leaders of the key role parents must play in helping young people overcome the trials of the day.
"Encourage the parents," he counseled. "They have a [vital] stewardship and responsibility."
Many of the challenges facing the young people remain the same, added Elder Backman. It's essential that wise youth leaders enlist the proven resources of the Church to help a rising generation.
"If we don't use the Scouting program to meet our priesthood aims, we are missing the boat," he said.
During his recent service as president of the Manti Utah Temple, Elder Goaslind had the opportunity to speak with young people as they gathered to serve in the temple. Many commented on the influential role a diligent bishop had played in their lives.
Bishops and counselors "can do almost as much for a young man as anyone I know," said Elder Goaslind.
Elder Banks expressed concern about the pervasiveness of pornography. It is a challenge facing young people throughout the Church. More awareness is needed, he said.
"Parents are not realizing [their children] are involved in pornography until they are in trouble," he said.
Scouting continues to prepare young men for missions, said Elder Featherstone. The Scouting program, he said, "remains a major part of the Church."
The lessons of Scouting are still relevant to young men, he noted.
"Keep doing it — the boys need it," he said. "They need all the tools in the toolbox."
At the conclusion of the leadership luncheon, the Young Men General Presidency presented each of the former Young Men president with an award honoring their service.
President Monson was presented a sculpture depicting a man fishing with a boy.
"Heavenly Father expects us to look after His children," he said after accepting the honor.
