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Summarized by Kent Larsen
President Faust Tells Scouts To Keep Scout Values
Deseret News 10Jun00 N2
By Laura Hancock: Deseret News staff writer
TOOELE, UTAH -- Speaking at the Boy Scout Expo 2000 Friday, President James
E. Faust of the LDS Church's First Presidency told the scouts to honor and
keep Scout values. "The message is always, everyday, 'Obey the Scout honor
and the Scout oath,' " said President Faust. The Expo was held at the new
Deseret Peaks Recreational Complex in Tooele, Utah.
Rhetorically asking the Scouts what Expo 2000 and Scouting was about, Faust
said, "It's much, much more. It's about putting God first and then the
country. The purpose of scouting is to build character and to build
leadership."
Also speaking at the Expo was Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, who urged Scouts
to live solid values despite what is happening in the world. He compared
what Scouts need to do to a story about his grandfather, Melvin Okerlund,
tending a small, but crucial fire, "He kneeled down and gently blew the
embers to keep them going," Leavitt said. He then told Scouts that "it's
important for Scouts to keep them [Scout values] glowing."
Both President Faust and Governor Leavitt were presented with plaques and a
framed set of Expo 2000 merit badges. About 20,000 Scouts, Scout leaders and
families attended the event Friday. Noting that a national jamboree draws
about 30,000, Great Salt Lake Council spokesman Ted Phillips said that Expo
2000 is "probably one of the largest Boy Scout events nationwide." Expo 2000
was a one-time event sponsored by the Council.
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