would not otherwise learn, many life experiences he would not otherwise have. So long as the Lord uses Scouting as a program for us, as fathers, to help raise our young men to Him, we would be wise to take full advantage of it.

That opinion comes from a father who failed at Scouting as a young man, who once determined that Scouting had no value, but who later had his eyes opened as a young father of an 11 year old, asking the same question you raised here. Once I read through the Scout Handbook to see the advancement requirements, I knew that it was something I needed as a father for our sons. For me, Scouting became an important vehicle for mission preparation. Our kids were also involved in many other things, from music to sports. However, I did not want our sons to grow up feeling that they could pick and choose what activities offered by the Lord in which they would choose to engage. We raised our children to be fully invested in living the gospel - even in doing the things they may not like, because life is like that. We sometimes do not fully appreciate the value of something until years later. It took me decades to realize what I missed out on by blowing off Scouting as a young man. I am glad that I finally saw the light and used it to lead our three sons each to the Eagle rank.