[T. P. Pole]

re Mormons and scouting - what that troop leader did is not the policy of the church. There are a few guidelines that involve the fact that scouting in the Mormon church is part of the youth program, and therefore there are things like an opening and closing prayer to the meetings, and if a non-member joins the troop they have to understand and respect that. But there is no rule prohibiting non-members from joining an LDS troop. Nearly every congregation I have been in has non-member scouts.

With the Mormon's missionary focus, it really seems odd that someone would behave that way.

[Caipirabob]

With the Mormon's missionary focus, it really seems odd that someone would behave that way.

Thanks for the response. I was kind of stunned myself and it's sunk in over the past 2 years. I did find another troop a little further away and they were happy to welcome my son. It was so important for me to get my children well grounded in a new place so far from our home for 20+ years.

I'm glad to hear that this is not the norm. To this day it still bothers me and when I hear the discussion of Mormonism, their missionaries and the "cult" discussion, none of their behavior adds up. It's left me with a very bad impression of the troop and their scouting practices.